St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Module#11: Engineering/Technology Career Planning
Problem Scenario for the Student:
Career Action Plan
As a new college student, you are discovering
new experiences, and knowledge to
appreciate the talents and abilities you have
to offer. After a semester in the Gateway to
Technology program you are ready to develop
new skills and interests and make a career
action plan. When you have an idea where
you are going, it is a less difficult journey
getting there.
Objectives
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Research information
about career options and
paths for engineers and
technicians and develop a
career plan with a current
resume (i.e., short
documented report with an
inquiry letter for obtaining
an internship or coop job
and an updated resume.)
Document sources
appropriately
Use computer software for
page layout and design.
Investigate and report on
educational requirements
for a chosen
engineering/technical
career path.
Write an acceptably
formatted business letter
and résumé.
Some of the activities you may consider are
meeting with your academic advisor,
discussing your tentative educational plans,
and beginning to plan your course schedule
for future semesters. You may also want to
visit the Career Center, the Counseling
Center, the Math and Science lab, and the
Writing Center to get any additional help you
need. You can take advantage of any
additional programs being offered on campus
that can help you with educational or career
plans.
Begin to explore career possibilities by talking
to professors, family, friends, and
acquaintances about the nature of their
current and past jobs. Conduct research
through online and print resources to obtain
information about occupations that interest
you. Save information on occupations or
majors you have researched. Begin to reflect
on you personal and professional growth as a
college student. Keep a record of your efforts
and achievements, and save materials that
can provide evidence of your capabilities to
employers. You can use them to develop a
portfolio to show potential employers.
You may want to plan for a summer or parttime job that will give you an opportunity to
gain work experience and develop good work
habits.
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Glossary of Career Planning Terms
ability - the power to do something, either intellectual or physical.
apprentice - a person who learns to perform a certain job through the guidance and experience of a skilled worker.
aptitude - person's natural ability or potential to learn in areas such as technology, music, athletics, art, communications, science, etc.;
potential, or knack, for learning certain skills.
attitude - a certain disposition, perspective, or belief that affects a person's behaviour; a person's basic outlook on life (the world and
the people in it).
career/life career - the roles you play in your life, the settings in which they occur, and the major events of your life; the total series
of roles and work experiences a person occupies throughout life. Life career includes schooling, continuing education, employment,
leisure time activities, volunteer work, homemaking, and retirement.
career cluster - a group of jobs that require similar abilities and skills.
entrepreneur - a person who organizes, manages, and assumes the risk of a business or other financial venture.
gender equity - the provision of equality of opportunity and the realization of equality of results for all students based on individual
aptitudes, abilities and interests, regardless of gender.
global economy - the production, purchase, and sale of goods in a world-wide market.
interests - the likes and dislikes of a person that affect the choices he/she makes.
job - the tasks or duties a person performs at the workplace.
leisure - time free from work or duties.
life career development - self-development over the life span through the roles, settings, and events in a person's life.
life career planning - the decision-making process by which you identify the alternativesopen to you in occupational, educational,
and leisure areas of your life.
life skills - skills that enable a person to cope with the stresses and challenges of life; for example, communication skills, decisionmaking skills, resource and time-management skills, and planning skills.
lifestyle - the beliefs, attitudes, and behavior associated with a person or group; a way of life.
myth - an opinion, belief, or ideal that has little or no basis in truth or fact.
needs - things or events that you desire and which push you to reach for goals you want to achieve.
occupation - a group of similar jobs found in various organizations.
personality traits - the qualities and characteristics that shape a person's unique character and identity.
profession - a career that requires specialized training and academic preparation.
self-actualization - the need to achieve one's potential.
self-concept - the way in which a person sees himself or herself; one's own evaluation of one's personal abilities and worth.
skill - the ability to do something as a result of training, practice, or knowledge.
stereotyped - preconceived views or ideas about what is appropriate behaviour for one gender or the other.
temperament - a quality of personality that shows up in the way a person thinks, acts, or responds to people or situations.
trade - an occupation that requires manual or mechanical skill; the buying and selling of goods and services between parties.
transferable skills - skills that can be used in a variety of jobs or occupations.
http://www.sccis.org/main/educators/careerguide.htm
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Student Activities
Students will gather information through researching, reading, and interviewing people who work in the fields.
They will investigate the following:
 Occupation highlights
 Nature of the work
 Working conditions
 Required education and training
 Job outlook
 Earning potential
 Related occupations
 Professional organizations representing the occupation
 People working in the field
 Companies hiring this occupation
Classroom Resources
Print
Cheshier, Stephen R. (1998), Studying Engineering Technology, a Blueprint for Success, Discovery Press.
Barell, John (1998), Problem-Based Learning, an Inquiry Approach, Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc. Dictionary
of Occupational Titles: Volume 1 and Volume 2,
U.S. Department of Labor (1993), JIST Works, Inc.Encyclopedia of Technology and Applied Sciences (2000), Marshall
Cavendisk, Inc.
Fogarty, Robin (1997), Problem-Based Learning: Other Curriculum Models for the Multiple Intelligences Classroom,
Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc.
Johnson, David W., and Roger T. Johnson (1996), Meaningful and Manageable Assessment Through Cooperative
Learning, Interaction Book Company, Edina, MN.
Non-Print
Library/industry visits Access to computers and the Internet Brochure template located on the Office 97 CD. Open the
Valupack folder, then the Template folder, then the Word Folder. The file is Brochure.doc. American Society for
Engineering Education (ASEE) web site:
http://www.asee.org/precollege/html/e_technology.htm PBL web site: http://www.imsa.edu/team/cpbl/cpbl.html SC
Employment Security Commission web site:
www.sces.org
Videotapes from SC ATE lending library: Wealth, Innovation & Diversity, Joel Barker & Paul Hopkins Productions, 31
minutes; Managing Diversity, CRM Films, 23:15 minutes.
http://www.sccis.org/main/educators/careerguide.htm Career Planning
http://www.utexas.edu/student/careercenter/careers/engineer.pdf What Can I Do With A Career in Engineering
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
Career Research Guide
Your Name: _____________________________________________________
This guide can help you build a working outline for your research report on the career of your choice.
1. Name of Occupation: _____
______________________________________
2. Highlights: (Top two things you'll do in this occupation)
3. Nature of the Work: (Brief job description of this occupation)
4. Working Conditions: (Where do people work in this occupation? Are there physical demands for this job?)
5. Training & Education Requirements: (Do you need a license? College Degree? Advanced Education – describe the qualifications
you'll need for this occupation).
6. Job Outlook: (What will be the demand for this occupation in the next 5 years?)
7. Earning Potential: (How much can you expect to be paid in this occupation? Explain)
8. Related Occupations: (Describe two other occupations that are similar to this one that you could also pursue.)
9. Names of Professional Associations representing this occupation: (Enter names, addresses, phone numbers and web site
addresses of at least two groups that can provide you further information on this career.)
10. Sources for this report:
http://www.sccis.org/main/educators/careerguide.htm
Research Exercise: Each individual will select an occupation based on the assessment of their interests, skills and
qualities as well as the field of work that best matches the individual. You can use a variety of resources to obtain
information (e.g. Career Directions, library, Internet, businesses, talking to people, career centers, etc.).
Each individual will write a report about his/her research techniques and was found. The report could include the
following:
 description of the work
 interests and skills required
 education and training opportunities available
 a list of companies who might employ someone n this occupation
 description of how they conducted the research
 identification of whether or not they are still interested in the occupation.
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
FINAL CAREER REPORT (Microsoft Word)
Put together an individual one-two page career report with an attached résumé and application business
letter for a final project in the Gateway to Technology program. In this report you will decide on a
technical or engineering career that you can pursue. Use some outside sources to support your ideas
and document them accordingly in the text. It should be in report format with several sections such as
the following:
Introduction
Write your thesis statement explaining what career path you plan to follow. You may want to
summarize how you came to this decision. (One paragraph)
Description of Career
Tell the name of the career you are interested in. You may want to give alternate names for this career
if applicable. What education (degrees, certificates, etc.) is required for this career? What local schools
include the program? (You may want to mention all in-state schools but perhaps also some in nearby
states). How many years of college will be required for this career? What types of jobs are available
for this career? What are the average salaries and benefits for this career? Can you interview someone
who is already in this career? You may want to find some web sites and text references on this career,
just as you did in your Oral Report #1. Graphs and charts are very useful here. You can include any
other applicable information in this section. (One-three paragraphs)
Career Plan
Using the information you just listed above, make a plan for your own pursuit of this career. Include
necessary courses to get into programs at both the community college and four-year college level. You
may want to use tables and/or lists in this section. (one-two paragraphs)
Opportunities for Internships, Scholarships, Co-ops, etc.
Research opportunities for various internships, scholarships, co-ops, and apprenticeships that are
available for this career. What local companies offer them? What are the requirements for each? How
do you apply for them? Do you need references? Who will you ask to be a reference? You can use a
table or list here also. What are the benefits of an internship? Explain what valuable work experience
or new skills you can learn and how it can help you with your career--get special experience in a real
work environment, network with professionals, obtain work references for future employment, and
perhaps even get a permanent job offer. You will want to do some research with both college
advisor/counselors and department faculty. (One-two paragraphs).
Attachments
Include an updated résumé with this report. It should include everything from this semester and be one
page only.
Conclusion
You may want to predict how this career decision will affect your life. How has the Gateway to Technology
program helped you in this career choice?
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley: Gateway to Technology: An integrated study of Mathematics, English, Reading and Engineering/Tech
CRITERIA FOR FINAL CAREER REPORT (student designed)
1 = Weak 2 = Moderately Weak 3 = Average 4 = Moderately Strong 5 = Strong
Written Career Report:
1. The report starts with a clear thesis statement.
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2. The report is organized and easy to follow. It is paragraphed appropriately with an introduction, body paragraphs
and a conclusion. It uses headings that help the reader follow its pattern of organization.
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3. The content of the report covers the assignment requirements and is accurately expressed.
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4. The report is concise (not wordy) and uses appropriate, correct vocabulary with varied sentences.
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5. The report is neatly word-processed and spaced well on the page.
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6. Any outside resources are cited and documented accurately, avoiding plagiarism.
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7. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar are in acceptable standard English. The report uses correct sentence
structure.
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Attached Resume:
8. The heading of the resume contains the individual’s name, address, phone number and email address, if
applicable.
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9. The objective is clearly written as a phrase rather than a complete sentence.
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10. The individual’s education up to the present is covered effectively.
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11. The resume/letter focus on the contributions and experiences relevant to a job search.
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12. The resume and letter are neatly formatted, typed and attractively spaced on the page.
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13. The spelling, punctuation, and grammar meet standard English expectations..
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Additional Comments: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Total Points/Grade: __________
©2003 STLCC at Florissant Valley • Gateway to Technology •
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