CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT (CEP)

GOALS Research a career of your choice. Construct a research report on that career, following all aspects of MLA format. MLA format includes adequate researching, proper typing format, appropriate citing of sources within the report, and a works cited page. Incorporate an interview with someone currently working in the field of your choice. Use formal writing and format. ***By Wednesday, October 19th, you must have a folder (a binder may be a better choice) to keep all materials for this assignment only. Its also recommended that you have your resources and assignment checkpoints on a flash drive and with you at all times. Components of the Project: 1. Introduction [1-2 page range] a. Introduce the career and explain why you chose to research it. What are you looking for in a career and why? What are your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, intelligences, skills, goals, needs? How does the career fit those? How did someone in that career field inspire your research? The goal of this section is to show the reader that you are personally invested in the topic, and to motivate them to read further. 2. Research Report [4-6 page range] a. No matter the career chosen, each student will form their own approach to organizing their research. Some ideas include: Describe the career. Where can you receive education or training? What are the requirements to get into the school or to receive training? How much does it cost? What skills do you need? What are some related fields? What salary can you expect to earn? What benefits are typically offered? What would a typical word day/week/career entail? Where in the country/world does this career take people? What prospects for the future does this career include? A great deal of research will be needed for this section. A required component of that research will be an interview you conduct through email with a person working in your chosen career. 3. Works Cited Page a. Properly formatted works cited page of resources used for research paper and interview. You must use at least five different sources. Please Note: Everything in this project should be in 12 point font, Times New Roman with one inch margins. You will turn in the final report with a submission of the introduction, research, and a works cited page AS ONE ELECTRONIC FILE to turnitin.com CHECKPOINTS FOR PROJECT Topic Choices Resources Check-In [3-6 sources] 1st Final Copy of Introduction Final Resources [9-12 sources] e-Interview Transcript 1st Final Copy of Research Report Peer Response Final Project DATE DUE W 10/19 (in class) F 10/28 (in class) M 10/31 (before 11pm, via turnitin.com) M 11/7 (in class) M 11/7 (in class) Su 11/13 (before 11pm, via turnitin.com) W 11/16 (in class) M 11/21 (before 11pm via turnitin.com) POINT VALUE 10 (Q2) 15 (Q2) 20 (Q2) 25 (Q2) 30 (Q2) 40 (Q2) 20 (Q2) 200 (portfolio)

If you would like any help, advice, tips, etc. outside of class, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk! My door is always open, as is my email! Rcostello@roncallihs.org

CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT (CEP)

Topic Choices: (W 10/9 in class) On this due date, you must come to class with three career choices that youre considering for the project. Even if youre confident that your first choice will work, I am requiring that you have two back-up careers in case researching the first choice proves too difficult. When making choices, consider careers that (a) can be researched and (b) will allow you to discuss a variety of its features. You dont want to choose a career that does not have much information available. Its expected that at this stage, you may have a more general career field as a topic choice. If thats the case, it is expected that youll be able to narrow that as the project moves forward. Note that there is not a thesis statement, keys, or outline checkpoint. As seniors, you have learned that in order to have an effective essay, creating a clear thesis and keys are necessary. These are crucial steps you should take to assure your project is focused and on track. If you would like additional guidance, Id be happy to help.

Resources Check-In: (F 10/28 in class) On this date, you must come to class with hard copies of at least 3 sources that seem promising for your project. My expectation is that there is evidence (highlighting, pageflagging, note cards, etc.) that youve actually gone through the sources, assessing the value of the information, rather than just having printed them off. Sources turned in that dont meet the requirements of being an acceptable source will not count towards your total. You will also turn in a works cited page that lists all sources, according to MLA format. Most of our research will likely be done online, though you are welcome to check out books from Marion County Public Libraries, keeping in mind the time it takes for those to be delivered/picked up. See ACCEPTABLE RESEARCH METHODS handout for more info. Please note that there is not a research note cards checkpoint. As seniors, you have learned different styles of note-taking during research. You should follow a method that fits your style and keeps you organized, focused, and on track. If you would like additional guidance, Id be happy to help.

1st Final Copy of Introduction: (M 10/31 before 11:00pm, via turnitin.com) On this date, you must have submitted the 1st final copy of your introduction. It must address the required topic(s), meet the required range of length, have been closely proofread and edited, and you must include at least one question for Mr. Costello to consider as he skims your introduction. This question should be typed at the end of the introduction. As seniors, you are ultimately responsible for seeking out and using the tools available to help improve your writing. If you would like additional guidance, Id be happy to help.

If you would like any help, advice, tips, etc. outside of class, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk! My door is always open, as is my email! Rcostello@roncallihs.org

CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT (CEP)

Final Resources: (M 11/7 in class) On this date, you must come to class with hard copies of at least 9 sources you are considering for use in your project. All sources must have been reviewed (shown through highlighting, page-flagging, note cards, etc.). Sources turned in that dont meet the requirements of being an acceptable source will not count towards your total. You will also turn in a works cited page that lists all sources, according to MLA format. Please note that the time span between the first day of the project and the day final research is turned in is 3 weeks. You will not be allowed to use any source that was not shown in hard copy on Monday, November 7th. The final two weeks of the project will be focused on synthesizing the information you found in the first three weeks of the project. Therefore, the more sources you have to show me on 11/7, the more flexibility youll have in your writing. As seniors, you are ultimately responsible for doing the leg work of research that will ensure you have access to a wide variety of reliable information as you write.

E-Interview Transcript: (M 11/7 in class) You are required to conduct an email interview with someone who is currently working in the career field youve chosen. You will have to bring in a hard copy of your email correspondence, which much include both the questions you asked and the responses you received. Please note that the time span between the first day of the project and the day final research is turned in is 3 weeks. It is your responsibility to contact prospective interviewees in plenty of time for them to reply. It is also recommended that you contact multiple people to ensure you have at least one completed. Otherwise, you will lose the points for this checkpoint, and because you are required to include the interview source in the final project, you will risk losing more points on future checkpoints.

1st Final Copy of Research Report: (Su 11/13 before 11:00pm via turnitin.com) On this date, you must have submitted your research, including the works cited page in the same electronic file. You must also come to class with 2 hard copies of your research section and works cited page. It must be in the required range of length, follow MLA format, have been closely proofread and edited, and you must include at least two questions for Mr. Costello to consider as he skims. These questions should be typed at the end of the research section, before the works cited page. Peer Response: (W 11/16 in class) You will complete a peer response activity to help identify strengths and weaknesses of your research paper at this point. Youll get more information on this as we get closer. Final Project: (M 11/21 before 11:00 pm via turnitin.com) On this date, you will have completed the electronic file submission of all project components to turnitin.com.

If you would like any help, advice, tips, etc. outside of class, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk! My door is always open, as is my email! Rcostello@roncallihs.org

CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT (CEP)

Other Guidelines: Because this is a long-term project, the late work policy does not apply. If you fail to turn in a checkpoint on time and as requested, you will receive no points, and I will not accept the next checkpoint until all others are turned in. o For example, if you fail to turn in the Resources Check-In, you will receive zero points for the step, and I will not accept the 1st Final Copy of the Introduction without the Resources Check-In properly completed. It is your responsibility to understand and follow all guidelines and requirements. Busted printers, locked computer labs, and shaky technology/internet connections will not qualify as excuses. You are encouraged to complete checkpoints before the assigned due date, if more convenient for your personal/academic/extracurricular schedule. As always, keeping me informed of technology issues ahead of time will allow us to find a solution in time for the checkpoint to be completed as assigned. Absences during this project do not allow for more time to work on any checkpoints or the final essay. You are expected to have all checkpoints ready to turn in on their assigned days. If you are absent the day a checkpoint is turned in, you must have it when you return. Extreme circumstances will be addressed if needed, but you are expected to have turned in on the day stated on the first page.

And to help keep you on track

If you would like any help, advice, tips, etc. outside of class, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk! My door is always open, as is my email! Rcostello@roncallihs.org

CAREER EXPLORATION PROJECT (CEP)

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If you would like any help, advice, tips, etc. outside of class, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk! My door is always open, as is my email! Rcostello@roncallihs.org