1. To Careers Week and BEYOND!
Dari Pass, Lower School Counselor
ACS Doha International School

2. Why Have a Lower School Careers Week?
PSPE Standards ; American School Counselor Association Program Standards addressed and taught
Strand CD - Career Development
Get’s kids EXCITED about their futures!
Concepts:
Integration of Self-knowledge into Life and Career Plans
Adaptations to world of work changes
Respect for all work
Career decision making
Education and career requirements
Personal Skills for Job Success
Job Seeking Skills

3. When is the best time of year to have Careers Week?
I schedule mine in April – do careers lessons in March

4. Who participates in Careers Week?
At ACS, everyone! 1st – 5th grade

5. What Does the Counselor Do?
At ACS I…
Teach my careers lessons in March to support what teachers will do during Careers week in April
Provide resources to teachers
HELP wherever I need to!
Do bulletin boards
Coordinate events throughout the building

6. Next Step… Pick a Theme Why? It helps FOCUS the events for the week
Ideas!
To Careers Week and Beyond
You can be ANYTHING
College and Career Ready
Oh the Places You’ll Go

7. THEME DAYS!
This year we are theming it to follow our kids through their school careers:
Sunday – As “Effective Learners,” students dress in their favorite subjects
Monday – Pizza Day!!!
Tuesday – Flip Day-Students swap roles with their teachers to showcase the “Confident Individuals” they truly are.
Wednesday – Popcorn Day!!!
Thursday – Career Day – Our students, “Caring Contributors” dress like their future career of choice

8. Expectations
Each grade level has the expectation of doing a minimum of 3 careers focused activities during the week
Student Council will come to me outlining ALL activities and speakers a week before so we (office staff, administrators, etc.) know what activities will be going on

9. Guest Speakers
Send potential guest speakers the first informational letter after you have made an initial contact with them through phone or .
When you have received confirmation, send follow up questionnaire to get more information about them. Also provide them with possible questions, etc. (see attached information)
Make sure you have any necessarily technology available to the guest speaker
My teachers do this part

10. Guest Speakers Things to Consider:
Guests should be able to speak to children at their level
Guests should be able to stay on topic
Guests should be able to commit to taking the time off to participate
Try to get guest speakers from all six career paths
Get speakers from a variety of post-secondary options

11. Teacher Preparation Name Tags
Class meeting with students regarding behavior expectations on career day, being good listeners, asking “smart” questions, etc.
Having chairs and desks moved and classroom arranged and ready for guest speaker
Have activities for the week ready

12. Fun Activities! Interactive Bulletin Boards
Career Fair – like science fair – have students or classrooms create a science fair type project on a specific career
Door decorating contest - local university themed or themed differently
Videos

13. Resources! Where to find GREAT Ideas! Pinterest YouTube
Teachers Pay Teachers
Counselor Blogs
A Good Ole Google Search

15. After the Dust Settles
Have students and teachers fill out evaluation forms
Send a formal thank you letter from the school to all guest speakers
Have students write thank you notes to the guest speakers as well

16. Questions? Come see me!