Life After High School...

Introduction Objective

The Scenario:

YOU MADE IT! You will be graduating from Stockton High School and look forward to working and living on your own.

In order to be prepared for a career, you will research an occupation of your choice and through outlined steps, find a job, place to live, create a budget and forecast your Net Worth based on your salary.

The purpose of this WebQuest is to

1) Allow students the ability to utilize tools that we have learned in class (Job Application Procedures, Budgeting, and Financial Statements).

2) Allow students that have not yet considered career options the chance to research possible careers; and

3) Allow students that know their career path the ability to see how their future will unfold based on the selection that they have chosen. Therefore, please take this task seriously. The more you put into it, the more prepared and certain you will be about your future.

The Task

The following will guide you through the career choice and savings projections. In this WebQuest, you will be responsible to:

Choose an Occupation that most interests you based on research.
Using the Internet to locate potential jobs offerings in your chosen career.
Create a Budget based on your salary and monthly expenses.
Use the Internet to find an apartment.
Create Net Worth Statement (Balance Sheet).

Resources

Use the following resources to aid you in completing this WebQuest.

To Research Occupations/Salaries

First use the Personality Test to find occupations that are relevant to your interests and skills. As you complete the survey it will allow you to scan different areas as they relate to your interests.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook 'The Bureau of Labor Statistics' "Occupational Outlook Handbook" is a nationally recognized source of career information. It describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

To Research Help Wanted Ads

Determine where you will want to work. Then use Mailersoftware.com to find the zip code for a city and distance between zip codes for job search. (Use FREE Zip City Phone)
Use America's Job Bank to search the Internet for jobs in your chosen career across the country. Do a Quick Search (left column) according to the State or zip code where you wish to reside. Other job search engines include: HotJobs.com, Career Builder, or Job Bank USA.

To Research Places to Live

Apartments.com This site is a Mega-Search engine for apartments. First, enter the city and state in which you wish to live. Then enter the maximum amount you could pay for rent. Find two homes/apartments and print them out. Include information about utilities, etc., and whether you have to pay for them or not.

The Process

Research an occupation of your choice. This includes choosing 2 occupations. Research using the web site given above and write a PRO & CON for each. Get a Pro/Con worksheet from your teacher. This should include information about: Schooling, Working Conditions, Employment, Job Outlook, and Salary. At the bottom of the worksheet, write a Final Evaluation (conclusion) listing the occupation that you choose and why. (ASSIGNMENT 1)
Find A Job. Assume that if you chosen career needs additional schooling/college, that it has now been completed. First, decide where you would like to live. Then, search the Net to find at least 3 Help Wanted Ads for your chosen occupation in that area. Finally, determine salary for an entry-level position. Print out these ads. (ASSIGNMENT 2)
Find An Apartment. Now that a job has been found, search the Net to find a suitable apartment. Location must be within 25 miles of new job location. Be sure to include necessary information on BUDGET below. Print out a copy of the apartment ad. (ASSIGNMENT 3)
Create a Budget. Based on your salary and monthly expenses (food, utilities, car insurance, gas, entertainment, housing, savings, etc.) prepare a budget for one month. Get a form for the budget from your teacher. (ASSIGNMENT 4)
Figure your Net Worth by preparing a Balance Sheet. Get the form from your teacher. (ASSIGNMENT 5)
Prepare a cover and table of contents for your report. Put assignments in order, staple and turn in to your teacher.
Are you Finished? Check Grading Below.

Grading Advice

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION POINT VALUE

1 Pro and Con Form (with conclusion) 15

2 Three appropriate job printouts & probable salary 15

3 Print out information on one apartment 10

4 Complete an appropriate Budget 15

5 Net Worth Statement (Balance Sheet) 10

6 Cover and Table of Contents 5

Total Points 70

Questions to ask...

Have I spell checked/proofread all documents?

Have I checked calculations to insure accuracy?

Conclusion

Conclusion: Congratulations! You should now have a short-term outlook of your career and savings goals over the next 5 years. Research has shown that success is more achievable when one has written short-term and long term goals which are periodically viewed. I hope that you periodically retrieve the information compiled here and have achieved the success that you desire.

References - This page was created with the help from material obtained by:

This page was adapted from Bernie Dodge's WebQuest_Template1.html by Tom March

Bon Jovi, It's My Life Album: Crush