Outline and Paper Assignment
This assignment will be a chance for the student to analyze and reflect on the career that they have chosen to
observe and research. The assignment will have the following requirements:
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MLA Format
Typed, double‐spaced, 12 point font (Calibri, Cambria, or Times New Roman)
2 Page Research Paper (including Introduction, Conclusion, and Body paragraphs described below)
Works Cited Page (using MLA‐style citation)
Must show evidence of three sources including:
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Career Cruiser Sources
Internet Sources
Book Sources
Career Interview
And include:
• Completed Pre‐Writing Outline
Grading - **This project counts as 2 major grades!**
The research paper will be assessed with the attached research rubric. Due to the nature of a research paper,
you must be vigilant when citing sources. All sources will be checked to insure no plagiarism has occurred. At
any time we may request to see any of the sources cited within your list of works. Failure to produce a source
may be considered plagiarism. Please refer to the rubric for specific details as to how the research paper will be
assessed.
Plagiarism will result in a zero on the paper.
The next few pages in this packet will be used for writing the outline of your research paper. A copy of this will
need to be turned in with your completed Research Project, and you can then use this as the guideline for
writing your paper.
Research Outline
Name: ____________________________________________ Career:____________________________
I. Introduction
A. What is the career you have chosen to research?
B. What brought you to this specific career?
C. What is the job like? Outline briefly the details of this career.
D. Thesis statement (What concepts and details will you discuss in your work? What do you want your
audience to know about this career?)
II. Body Part One – The Career ‐ an overview or synopsis of the career choice (Make sure to include all of
the following information to give a complete overview of your career)
A. Define the job title and the nature of the work.
B. What does the Job Market look like for you?
C. Are you going to have to move to work?
D. What is the Job Outlook for this career?
E. Are there going to be more opportunities in the future?
F. What type of Industry are you entering?
G. Are you making stuff, providing a service, etc.?
H. What kind of money will you be making? Where does your salary start? Where does it usually finish?
I. What non‐monetary benefits are offered, if any? Will you be joining a union?
III. Body Part Two – The Duties and Work environment. (In this segment of your paper you should be
taking a look at the actual nature of the job, and the duties you’ll have to carry out. Discuss and describe in
detail the work environment.)
A. Does the job require a lot of physical labor? Mental preparation? Do these seem to be things you can do?
B. What technology is being used with your career? How will technology impact the future of your career?
C. Describe some of the actual duties you are going to have to carry out for the career?
IV. Body Part Three – Education – (Here you will focus on the education necessary to be successful in this
career.)
A. High School Education – (Are there any classes that are suggested, or that you can identify, to help you
in this career?)
B. Post‐Secondary Education – (Focus on the need for continued education outside of the high school
classroom. These education requirements might include colleges/universities, technical programs (like
UTI or ITT Tech), apprenticeships, etc.)
C. Continuing education beyond college – requirements in order to maintain and/or progress within the
chosen profession.
V. Body Part Four – Career Reflection –
A. Is this actually a career you think you would be successful in?
B. How could you fit into this career?
C. What about this job interests you still?
D. What about this job would drive you away?
E. How did the research process help or hurt your chances with this career?
F. How do the school/training requirements affect your decision on this career?
VI. Conclusion
A. Combine the parts of the body of your paper, tell how they’ve come together, and what view you now
have of this career.
B. Sum up your overall decision on whether or not to pursue this career.
Career Research Project Rubric
Student: __________________________________
Advanced 10 pts
Proficient 8-6 pts
Date: ________________
Basic 5-3 pts
Below Basic 2-0 pts
Definition and
Description of Career
Tasks and
responsibilities
Work environment and
conditions
Detailed description of the
job is required. Information
on job responsibilities is
given along with the
condition and frequency in
which they are done.
There is a description of the
job requirements. Information
on some job responsibilities
is given.
There is little description of
the job requirements.
No description of the job is
included
Education and
Training
Type and Amount of
education/training
needed
Where will you get the
education/training?
How long will it take?
There is a detailed
description of the
educational/training
requirements. It provides
information on any degrees,
certificates, licenses, or other
special requirements. It also
provides the estimated time
required to complete
requirements.
There is a description of the
educational/training
requirements. It provides
information on any degrees,
certificates, licenses, or other
special requirements.
There is little description of
the educational/training
requirements.
There is NO description of
the educational/training
requirements.
There is a detailed
description of the
requirements for higher level
positions and salary
There is a description of of
the requirements for higher
level positions and salary.
There is little description of
of the requirements for
higher level positions and
salary.
There is NO description of
of the requirements for
higher level positions and
salary.
There is a detailed
description of the salary and
possible benefits for this
career. It includes the
average and highest level
salary levels and gives the
yearly, monthly, and hourly
rate, if applicable.
There is a description of the
salary for this career. It gives
the yearly, monthly, and
hourly rate, if applicable.
There is little description of
the benefits and salary
levels for this career.
There is NO description of
the salary for this career.
Developed a detailed list of
personal characteristics and
natural abilities that are
beneficial to professionals in
this career.
Developed a list of personal
characteristics that are
beneficial to professionals in
this career.
Developed a list of personal
characteristics, but does not
state why they are beneficial
to the career.
Did NOT develop a list of
personal characteristics.
0 – 2 Errors
3 – 4 Errors
5 – 6 Errors
7+ Errors
Advanced 20 pts
Proficient 15 pts
Basic 10 pts
Below Basic 5 pts
Opportunities for
Advancement
Requirements for
higher level positions
and pay
Salary and Benefits
Average Salary
Highest Career Level
Salary
Possible benefits
Aptitudes and Values
Required
Natural abilities
needed
What types of personal
values are required?
Mechanics
Correct spelling and
punctuation
No personal pronouns
(I, me, you , us, our,
my, we)
Internal Citations
All (4) sources are
listed in the essay's
internal
documentation.
Documentation is in
correct parenthetical
format.
*Documentation is
used when needed
Clarity
Does the paper make
sense?
The paper should be
easy to read and
organized so that the
reader can grasp the
information without a
struggle.
Total Points
______/__100__
Points __________
Points __________
Points __________
Points__________