THE CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION
CAREER SHOWCASE ASSIGNMENT
The Cooperative Education Program offers you the opportunity to explore a career of your choice.
Now it’s time to share your learning with staff, students, and employers. Your experience will help
you and others make important educational and career decisions both now and in the future.
The purpose of the Career Showcase Assignment is to:
 Showcase your learning to staff and students by displaying the work you have carried
out at a work placement;
 Inform other students about the occupational opportunities at our work placement or in
your industry/employment sector;
 Develop your presentation skills – both verbally and visually.
Date: ______________________________________________________________________
Location and Time: Co-op Career Showcase will take place in Matrix from __________________
The Career Showcase Assignment:
 You must discuss this project with your Supervisor and Co-op teacher to ensure that the
information you are using is appropriate, available to the public, and presented in a professional
manner. You will also need permission to bring in support material and/or items which can be
displayed.
 There are three parts to the assignment:
o Part 1: Brochure / Flyer
o Part 2: Display Board
o Part 3: Career Showcase Day
 Both you and your display will be evaluated during the Career Showcase.
 There will also be an opportunity for peer and self-assessment. Evaluation will be conducted
using the attached rubric.
 Some in-school time will be spent on producing the Brochure and your Display Board.
 Begin planning immediately rather than leave details and planning to the last minute.
Note: Consider confidentiality, safety, and security when selecting equipment, materials, and
resources that you plan to display from your placement. Ask permission to remove material and
equipment and to take photographs at your work placement to use at the Career Showcase.
 You are responsible for the following:
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Securing the equipment and materials you require
Preparing, setting up, and dismantling your display
Representing your organization in a professional manner
Answering questions about your Co-op placement and specific career field(s)
PART 1: BROCHURE / FLYER
Your brochure/flyer should be done on an 8.5”x11” piece of paper. It can be two-sided and/or
folded into any format. You may also want to include the company/placement logo. Use your
imagination to design a brochure/flyer that is creative and informative.
Step #1:
Create your brochure/flyer. The following information must be included in your brochure/flyer:
1. Title – name of placement, name of supervisor, job title, your name (use a company logo if
permitted to do so.)
2. Career Description – briefly describe the things a person in this placement does and
describe some of the tasks you performed
3. Educational Qualifications – state the type of educational background required
4. Working Conditions – describe the (a) physical environment, (b) the time demands, (c)
the physical demands, and (d) work independently or with a team
5. Interests/Skills – list the interests/skills required for this career; include the relevant
ESSENTIAL SKILLS that are required for the job
6. Suggested Course Selections – recommend a minimum of 3 courses that a high school
student should take to help prepare themselves for this career choice; include the grade
and level/stream
7. Expected Salary Range – provide an expected salary range for this career (beginning,
middle, and end) and include the number of years one can expect to work to get to those
salary ranges and/or qualifications that may be associated with those salary ranges
8. Future Career Trends – what does the future look like in terms of demand for this career
for today, five years from now, and ten years from now. Be sure to research this
information from valid job websites and/or career related publications.
Step #2:
Before or on ____________________________________, submit your rough draft of your
brochure to your Co-op Teacher for marking.
Step #3:
On _________________________________________, pick-up the marked draft of your brochure.
Step #4:
Make any necessary corrections and/or revisions to your brochure.
Step #5:
Make 10 copies of your final draft brochure to distribute to students and staff on the day of the
Career Showcase. (Colour brochures are always nicer to look at!)
TIP: Look on Career Cruising Website for information on Career (i.e. Job Description, working
conditions etc)
PART 2: DISPLAY BOARD
You will be responsible for preparing a visual display of your placement using a freestanding
backboard. Please purchase a tri-fold portable display board from a business supply store to
design your display. All written information on your display must be typed and organized in a
clear logical manner. You will need to use your imagination, creativity, and marketing skills to
create an attractive, engaging, and educational display.
Follow the format provided below for your display board:
Workplace Advertisement
Career Research
1. Career Title (e.g. Legal Assistant)
2. Description of Educational
Requirements
3. List of Colleges, Universities, and/or
Private Colleges that offer programs
4. Personal Aptitudes recommended
for this career
5. Expected Salary Range
6. Future Market Trends and Job
Opportunities
1. Name of Workplace (i.e. RONA)
2. Written Description:
- location
- type of business (e.g. Law Office)
- history including date established
- president of the company
- number of employees
- number of clients
- major tasks performed
- major products/services they provide
3. Promotional Materials:
- photographs, brochures, posters, sample
products, articles, business cards,
promotional materials, newsletters
You may need to interview your supervisor/employer
to get some of this information.
Your Placement
1. Your Job Title (e.g. Auto
Mechanic Assistant)
2. Job Description:
- List and describe 5-8 major
tasks, duties, & responsibilities
you have performed at your
placement
- Essential skills used in your role
3. Reflection of Coop Experience
4. Workplace Samples:
- uniform and/or safety equipment
- tools (used to do your job)
- your daily/weekly schedule
- photographs of you working
- materials/forms you have created
or contributed to
On _________________________________ the following items for your display board will be due:
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Physical display board (completed)
Career Research
Written Description of Workplace
Student Job Description
Student Reflection of the Co-op Experience
All photos and promotional materials that you’d like to use to enhance your display
CAREER SHOWCASE EXPECTATIONS
1.
Have fun! This is your one opportunity to showcase what you have been involved in out of school!
2.
Be confident, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about your display and placement.
3.
Discuss the Career Showcase with your parents/guardians and your supervisor.
4.
Appropriate professional/business-like attire is required. You may wear your placement uniform. No
running shoes or jeans are allowed – even if they are acceptable at the workplace.
5.
All displays must be set up by ___________ (2 credit students must have boards in prior to)
6.
Employers are invited to visit the Showcase at any time during the day. During that time, it is important that
you act as a gracious host to your employer: introduce them to the other students and staff, offer them a
beverage or treat, and most importantly, tour them around the Matrix and discuss your display with your
employer and show them the other student’s boards.
7.
It is imperative that students remain standing at their display for the entire period. Students should
present themselves in a professional manner. Be sure to engage visitors in conversation and answer any
questions that are asked. NO SITTING ON THE TABLES!!!!!
8.
Maintain a clean display area throughout the day. Only plastic water bottles are permitted at the display.
9.
Stand to one side so that visitors can see your display NO SITTING ON THE TABLES!!!!!. Use your display
to effectively answer questions.
10. Treat visitors and evaluators in a friendly, professional manner, thanking them for being interested in your
display.
11. DO NOT leave your display, except for a washroom break.
12. DO NOT talk with another Coop displayer when a visitor is waiting to talk to you.
13. All students are responsible for clean up.
14. Students may start to take down their displays only when they are instructed by their teacher. Be
sure to take home your backboard display and any other items you brought in for your display.
IMPORTANT DATES:
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 ____________________________ – rough draft of Brochure due
 ____________________________ – pick-up draft from Teacher and hand in good copy
 ____________________________ – the following items are due:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
10 photocopies of the approved brochure
physical display board
career research
written description of workplace
student job description
student reflection of coop experience
 ____________________________ – final display board is COMPLETELY FINISHED
 ____________________________ – SHOW TIME 