Research Process

Directions to Students

Does the prospect of planning your future scare you? Are you unsure where to begin? Decisions that are made today will impact your readiness for the world of work.

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat.
"I don't much care where..." said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat.

Task and Product

You have registered to participate in an internship program. The first step is to determine in which areas you are most interested and how well your skills match those interests.

Using the Cornell Notes Sheet, you will investigate two careers of interest to you. Use one notetaking sheet for each career. Research each career to determine:

Using your completed Cornell Notes, choose the career which you belive best fits your talents and interests.

Create a visual display, powerpoint presentation, or video commercial to demonstrate what you have learned about this career for a School Career Fair.

Your product should:

• explain the mission of people in the profession.
• demonstrate how this occupation is related to other occupations.
• explain what makes this occupation unique.
• describe the personal skills necessary to be successful in this career.
• provide information detailing education needed.
• identify associated professional organizations.
• describe an entry level position with the company and the qualities of someone who would be hired for that position.

Assessments

You will be assessed on your initial investigation of two careers using your Cornell Notetaking Sheets using a Cornell Notes Assessment

Your product will be assessed by one of these scoring tools:

• Visual Display Scoring Tool
• PowerPoint Scoring Tool
• Video Commercial

Questions

As you look at the task above, list as many questions as you can that will help you to understand and investigate your careers. THINK ABOUT...

What do you already know about each career?

What do you need to know

• to begin your investigation?
• to determine whether or not you will be suited to this occupation?
• to inform others about this career?

As you read through your various sources, take notes, write down your bibliographic information, and paraphrase main ideas on your Cornell Notetaking Sheets .

• What training is required for persons in this field?
• Where are the jobs located?
• How would you describe the work environment?
• Is the job outlook promising for the next five years? the next ten years?

List questions of your own to begin your research.

Gather and Sort

Gather information from a variety of sources.

Sort your findings using Cornell NoteTaking Sheets.

As you use your various sources, be sure to take effective, detailed notes. Paraphrase the main ideas to avoid plagiarism. Keep track of your sources, following the MLA bibliographic format or use an online citation generator such as EasyBib, CitationMachine, or Noodle Tools

Organize

Analyze your research notes to determine if you have adequate information to answer your subsidiary questions.

You are looking for insight.

• What have you learned so far?
• What more do you need?

Check out resources for analyzing your information

Synthesize your findings by creating your visual display, PowerPoint, or video commercial.

Check out these resources to help synthesize your product.

Evaluate your finished product according to the visual display, PowerPoint, or video commercial scoring tools.

Conclusion / Reflection

Presentation: Prepare your final project. Refer to your particular assessment tool to ensure you meet all the criteria.

Reflection: After you have presented your chosen occupation prepare a cover letter and resume to seek a job in your chosen occupation.

• Scoring tool for your resume
• Scoring tool for your cover letter