The Think Outside the Box: Nontraditional Career Exploration student-focused curriculum is interactive, engaging, and designed to excite students with the possibilities of nontraditional Career and Technical Education Careers. Students will explore work values, assess career interests, and challenge gender norms related to careers. The teacher-guided digital curriculum package consists of four modular student activities, utilizing a workbook and video guides.
Each unit takes between 20 and 40 minutes and are best done in an environment where students can discuss and share, however, the units can also be done asynchronously.
Download the PDF student workbook for the four-part program. You will use the video guides in the next section to direct student learning.
[Part 1] Discover Nontraditional Careers
What’s important to you? Have you considered a nontraditional career with fresh eyes? In this unit, students will reflect on important career characteristics and discover nontraditional careers.
OBJECTIVES
- Identify important career characteristics
- Explore nontraditional careers
- Consider and reflect on nontraditional careers of interest
Handouts
Access Part 1 of Think Outside the Box: Nontraditional Career Exploration.
Instructions
This activity is best done in an environment where students can discuss and share, however it can also be done asynchronously.
Time needed: 30-40 minutes, depending on discussion time
- Initiate playback of the Part 1 video guide below
- Pause when prompted and follow the provided instructions.
- Invite students to complete the activities.
- Allow time for students to reflect on what they learned in the section.
Video Guide
8 minutes
[Part 2] Visualize a Nontraditional Decision
Everyone has strengths that are an asset for our futures! In this unit, students reflect on a nontraditional decision (anything outside the norm or standard expectations) and visualize how strengths help us towards goals.
Objectives
- Reflect on a nontraditional decision
- Understand why our unique strengths are what makes us stand out in our careers
Handouts
Access Part 2 of Think Outside the Box: Nontraditional Career Exploration.
Instructions
This activity is best done in an environment where students can discuss and share, however it can also be done asynchronously.
Time needed: 30-40 minutes, depending on discussion time
- Initiate playback of the Part 2 video guide below
- Pause when prompted and follow the provided instructions.
- Invite students to complete the activities.
- Allow time for students to reflect on what they learned in the section.
Video Guide
14 minutes
[Part 3] Build Your Team
It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know! In this unit, you’ll learn about networking and how to build connections for a powerful team to support you in achieving your dreams!
Objectives
- Understand the basic how-to’s of professional networking
- Identify people in their life that they can help and who can help them explore a career
Handouts
Access Part 3 of Think Outside the Box: Nontraditional Career Exploration.
Instructions
This activity is best done in an environment where students can discuss and share, however it can also be done asynchronously.
Time needed: 20-30 minutes, depending on discussion time
- Initiate playback of the Part 3 video guide below
- Pause when prompted and follow the provided instructions.
- Invite students to complete the activities.
- Allow time for students to reflect on what they learned in the section.
Video Guide
11 minutes
[Part 4] Design Your Future
Make a plan and then work the plan! In this unit, students will articulate a goal, analyze the power of their unique story, and map a strategy that designs their future.
Objectives
- Articulate a dream or goal that they have
- Analyze the power of the non-traditional career story
- Reflect on the next steps they can take to reach their career goals
Handouts
Access Part 4 of Think Outside the Box: Nontraditional Career Exploration.
Instructions
This activity is best done in an environment where students can discuss and share, however it can also be done asynchronously.
Time needed 20-30 minutes, depending on discussion time
- Initiate playback of the Part 4 Instructional Video in the course content.
- Pause when prompted and follow the provided instructions.
- Invite students to complete the Harnessing the Power of Your Story activity.
- Allow time for students to reflect on what they learned in the section.
Video Guide
11 minutes
What you get
- Digital workbook for students and teachers (41 pages)
- Lesson Plans
- Animated Video Guides for Lessons
- BONUS: Interviews with people in nontraditional careers
- Unlimited usage
41-page Beautifully Designed Digital Workbook
Animated Instructional Video Guides for Each Unit
