Two projects must be completed for each .5 credit of work study (in addition to the 200 work hours.) Projects must be completed at the high school level with a score of A or B. Projects not up to standard must be revised and improved in order to earn credit.

The projects for the first semester are:

If students complete additional work hours, they may choose from the projects below to earn credit. Students must complete two for each .5 credit and not do any project more than once. Discuss your two choices with the teacher BEFORE you begin the work.

Please plan so both of your projects are completed while you are earning the hours. Try to finish the projects at the same time you are nearing the 200 hours, or before. If the projects are not turned in within one month of earning your hours — you will not earn credit and have to start over! Plan ahead.

Upon completion of this packet, you should be able to walk into any situation and be able to fill out a job application on the spot. This will show the manager your organizational skills right off the bat! A simple search on the Internet will bring up many "job prep" sites with examples and templates you can use. You are also encouraged to ask your teacher for help and examples.

Packet must include at least the following:

1. A list of at least 3 references and their contact information. You should not be related to ANY of these people and you should be sure they are willing to say good things about you if someone were to ask!
2. A list of your work experience. This list might need to include work you've done around the house or for neighbors if you haven't had a job before. Think of experiences you've had that showcase job skills employers want: you were trusted, you worked with others, you took care of things on your own, you did things on schedule without reminders, you organized or fixed things, etc. Don't list any experience you couldn't talk about if asked.
3. A letter of application. This is a letter that introduces you and explains why you want to work. Consider it your first chance to make a first impression - it needs to have NO mistakes in it. Later on, you might add a paragraph that personalizes the letter to the specific job you are applying for.
4. A complete resume. This document should have NO mistakes, have accurate and well-worded content and be pleasantly formatted. This is your "stat and brag sheet." Your potential employers won't know anything about you if it isn't on this sheet. Add things that will lead to interesting questions and discussions during an interview. Use a professional font you like - but nothing too loopy or silly. Clipart or pictures are OK as long as they help make the resume more original and still stay professional looking. You want employers to remember yours out of all of them in the stack, but not as the ugly one!
5. Your answers to the 10 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions. We realize you won't answer them in a real interview with exactly what you type - but practicing questions and answers before an interview is a very good idea. For the ones that are job specific - just make up the job you are interviewing for and answer them with that job in mind.
1. Why don't you tell me about yourself?
2. Why should I hire you?
3. What are your major strengths?
4. What are your major weaknesses?
5. What sort of pay do you expect to receive?
6. How does your previous experience relate to the jobs we have here?
7. What are your plans for the future?
8. What will your former employers (or references) say about you?
9. Why are you looking for this sort of position and why here?
10. Why don't you tell me about your personal situation or goals?

You will compile all of this information into a professional portfolio and give it to your teacher like you were applying for a job they controlled.

If they would hire you based on the quality of your materials, you will earn an "A."

If you have all the documents but your teacher is still not sure - you'll earn a "B."

*What does my job have to offer me besides a paycheck?
Few people love their first job and hope to have it forever. However, some people fail to realize that even at a "dead end" or "boring" part time job there are things a good worker can learn and take with them. Look around you, think about your responsibilities, and consider the skills you are learning or practicing everyday, mentally list the people who will be willing to say they know you are a good worker… If you don't stop to ponder questions like these, you may be wasting a golden opportunity!

You need to develop a list of at least 10 things you are getting from your job besides a paycheck - and they should be positive things - don't list "headaches"! Be specific when you list the items. After you have a solid list, pick the most important 3 things. Use these as the basis for a 5-paragraph essay. It should have an introduction with a thesis statement, 3 body paragraphs (one for each item), and a strong conclusion. The paper should clearly demonstrate that you understand how to use your current job to springboard you on to bigger and better things in the world of work.

An "A" paper will have NO grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. It will be properly formatted and be professional in tone. The paper takes a creative approach to what someone can learn on the job and clearly demonstrates the student is taking advantage of every opportunity available at their job. The original list of 10 will be included.

A "B" paper may have up to 3 grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. It should have 5 paragraphs, but may not have a strong thesis or conclusion. The paper meets the general requirement of explaining three things the student is using on the job, but doesn't do it with the flair or confidence of an "A" paper. The original list of 10 will be included.

3 Job Interviews/Reflection Paper
Employers use job interviews to choose between the people with the best paperwork. It is your chance to demonstrate how easy you would be to work with and to show your interest in the company and job. You can complete this project even if you DON"T WANT A NEW JOB. If you interview so well that you are offered a job, you can politely tell them "no, thanks!"

At least one of these job interviews needs to be for a job you might actually be able to get. Fast food places are almost always interviewing. If it is close to a major shopping holiday you will also find many places interviewing! Go through the process of applying and be ready to go in for an interview. You could also have your parents ask their friends if they might be able to interview you for a job at their company - even if there aren't real openings. The idea is to get you in a real interview situation with a grownup you don't know at all or at least not really well. Practice interviews are the best way to prepare for nailing the interview for the job you really want!

Dress appropriately. The general rule is to dress a little nicer than you would have to if you work there. Don't look too trendy - clean is better!

Each reflection paper should have its own title: Job Interview at ______________.

In the first paragraph explain how you got the interview and how nervous you were or weren't for the meeting.

Next, describe the setting of the interview. Were there lots of people waiting to be interviewed? Were you interviewed by one person or a panel? Did you sit across the table, a desk, next to the interviewer? Did you feel welcomed and comfortable? Was the meeting formal or informal?

Then discuss the actual interview. What do you wish had gone better? Any questions or comments surprise you? What did you ask? Anything you wish you would have known ahead of time?

Finally, give a final evaluation of how well the interview went from your point of view. Do you want the job? Do you think they want to hire you? What did you learn from this interview that you can use in the next one?

To earn an "A" you must have at least 3 reflection papers. Each one will paint a detailed picture of what happened during the interview AND what went on in your head before, during and after the interview. It will be clear that you learned from each experience and are better prepared for your next interview.

To earn a "B" you must have 3 reflection papers that clearly articulate the interview process and what you learned from each one. They might need one more revision to be polished or leave the reader with unanswered questions about the basics of the interview described.

5 Working Teens Interviews
The purpose of this assignment is to learn about different jobs and how teens view those jobs. You are welcome to use your friends as the interviewees! Please note that you can't interview more than 2 people who work at the same place. The idea is for you to get information about a variety of work environments and experiences. You will need to prepare 10 formal questions to use during the interview. (It would be a good idea to run the questions by the teacher before you use them.) More information will probably come out as you visit, but these are the key pieces. Your questions must be formulated to access the following information (for the other 5, think of things you want to know):

• amount of time at current job
• pay and hours worked
• relationship with boss or supervisors
• teen's commitment/loyalty to the business
• how they got the job

During the interview you will need to take notes or use a tape recorder. (Avoid disrupting class with these interviews; do them on your own time.) Your information needs to include DETAILS. To write up each interview you simply create an introductory paragraph and then type your question and the answer. The introductory paragraph should include information like the example - but you are free to use your own wording.

I interviewed Sally Smith on August 28, 2002 at the McDonalds where she works. We met just after her shift was over. I know Sally through my brother; she is one of his friends. I was curious to know if working at a fast food place was as bad as the stereotype! After reading this interview you will understand why I am actually considering applying for a job at McDonalds. It really doesn't sound all that bad for a part time job. Sally proves that the attitude you take to a job makes a big difference in how fun it is and how much you like the work.

Q1: How long have you worked at McDonalds?
A1: I have worked here for 6 months. I worked at a different restaurant for about 2 months before that.

And so on…

You will need to turn in 5 reports in this style. Each report will be graded individually and then all 5 will be averaged together for the final score on this project.

An "A" report will have a strong introduction paragraph that clearly identifies the interviewee and why the interviewer wanted to interview them. It should also say how the interviewer felt about the job (and the worker!) after talking to them. There will be at least 10 quality questions with detailed answers. These interviews also show a good variety in types of jobs (work for themselves like babysitters or lawn mowers, work in traditional teen jobs, do career track type job like working answering phones in a dental office and plan to be a hygienist, etc.)

A "B" report will introduce the interviewee and give some background information. The paragraph will mention why that person was chosen for the interview, but might not draw any conclusions from the discussion. There will be 10 questions and answers, but the answers might leave the reader wondering why a follow-up Q wasn't asked on a few questions. The interview might seem incomplete.

Pros and Cons of Job Hunting Resources
Prior to writing your essay, you will need to locate 3 places teens in your town could use to find information on job openings. (Think: Special newspapers? Employment agency? Job Fair? Public bulletin boards? Etc.) You will need to pretend you want a job and learn how to use the 3 resources you locate. Ask as many questions as you can and be constantly asking yourself if this seems like a place/thing most teens have access to and would be willing/able to use.

You will develop your research into an essay describing the resources for job hunting in your community. Use the following format tips as a guide.

Intro paragraph: Start with an introduction to the size and location of your community and explain how hard you had to look to find resources. End the paragraph with a sentence that names the 3 resources you will describe and list them in the order you will write about them. Remember, save the best for last.

Section 1: You will need to decide if you want to discuss pros and cons in the same paragraph - or have a paragraph for each. Either way you need to include both for each resource. Take the point of view of a teen that really needs a part time job when you are trying to decide what aspects of the resource are a pro and which are a con. (For example - newspapers are available any day, any time as an advantage; but they cost money so that might be a disadvantage.)

Section 2: Discuss pros and cons of 2nd resource.

Section 3: Discuss pros and cons of 3rd resource.

Conclusion: Make a case for which of your resources seems to be the best option for teens. You could also choose to comment on the overall quality of services for teens who want to find a job in your community. Which resource would you or did you use?

An "A" essay will be clearly organized and have less than 3 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors. The reader will have a strong understanding of the resources listed and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each. The style and tone of the writing make it clear that time, effort and seriousness were applied to the project.

A "B" essay will discuss the pros and cons of 3 job hunting resources. It might not be as well organized as it could be. It might also look like the student should have spent more time proofreading before turning it in. The tone of the essay may not be as serious or professional as expected.

Job Cluster Interviews (5)
First we must understand what is meant by a job cluster. These are careers that are "clustered" in one area. For example, let's say you are interested in medicine and think you want to work in a hospital. Careers that are clustered around hospitals/medicine include: nurses and all the different specialties, doctors and all the different specialties, anesthesiologist, hospital admitting, hospital administrator, lab tech, x-ray technician, pharmacist, nuclear medicine, surgeon, etc.

You will need to choose a "cluster" that interests you and identify 5 separate careers within that cluster you would like to investigate. Your assignment is to contact 5 people who work in that cluster, but all do different jobs, and set up an opportunity to visit with each of them.

In your interview with them - direct the conversation so you can learn why they chose the career they did out of all the ones possible in that cluster. What about their own personalities, experiences, or values led them to that career? What do your own personalities, experiences, or values tell you about how much you might enjoy that career? Find out if people within this job cluster work well together or if there seems to be quite a bit of competition. Your goal has 2 parts: 1) Do you think a job somewhere in this cluster still appeals to you? 2) Does this particular career appeal to you, or should you keep looking? To write a detailed paper you will need good notes or a tape recording of the discussion. Be prepared.

(Keep in mind that this is also a potential interview for you. If you come across as interested, intelligent and eager to learn - you might meet someone who can help you get a job or job shadow in the future! You are always building your network of contacts!)

Write up a one page summary of each interview. Be sure the introductory paragraph specifically names who you talked to and what career you talked about. Describe their basic job responsibilities. List the parts of their job they enjoy the most and the parts they could do without. Provide as many details/specifics from your interview as you can. Conclude the paper by applying what you have learned to yourself - discuss what you think about this career being a match for you. Provide specific examples of how it is and isn't a good match for you, based on what you learned in the interview.

Be sure to turn in 5 papers - one for each interview. Each paper will be evaluated separately and then the scores will be averaged together for the final grade.

To earn an "A" the paper should have a professional tone, useful information and not be hindered by typos or other errors. This paper will demonstrate your sincere interest and time to reflect on what you learned.

A "B" paper still needs to include details and good information, but might not have the same quality of writing or have some distracting typos.

If one of you interviews is a "flop" and you are worried about how it will affect the score of your write-up, please feel free to seek out an addition interview and write that one up if it goes better!

5 Interviews across different Careers
This assignment is similar to the last one, but your goal here is slightly different. In this assignment you might want to try and narrow down which cluster you are most interested in! You will select 5 different careers and interview someone from each of them to try and see which ones are a good match for you. You might also be thinking in terms of type of career - one where you work for yourself, where you work for a local company, where you work for a large national chain or even an international company. Not everyone likes to be their own boss and have all that stress; others can't imagine working for a boss! Identify the careers or types of careers that appeal most to you and find interesting contacts!

During your interview try to learn as much as you can that will help you decide if this is a career area you should continue to investigate or one you should take off your list. Don't be afraid to ask tough questions - but do try to find the most tactful way to ask them. Take notes or a tape recorder.

(Keep in mind that this is also a potential interview for you. If you come across as interested, intelligent and eager to learn - you might meet someone who can help you get a job or job shadow in the future! You are always building your network of contacts!)

Write up a one page summary of each interview. Be sure the introductory paragraph specifically names who you talked to and what type of career you talked about. Describe their basic job responsibilities. List the parts of their job they enjoy the most and the parts they could do without. Provide as many details/specifics from your interview as you can. Conclude the paper by applying what you have learned to yourself - discuss what you think about this career being a match for you. Provide specific examples of how it is and isn't a good match for you, based on what you learned in the interview.

Be sure to turn in 5 papers - one for each interview. Each paper will be evaluated separately and then the scores will be averaged together for the final grade.

To earn an "A" the paper should have a professional tone, useful information and not be hindered by typos or other errors. This paper will demonstrate your sincere interest and time to reflect on what you learned.

A "B" paper still needs to include details and good information, but might not have the same quality of writing or have some distracting typos.

If one of you interviews is a "flop" and you are worried about how it will effect the score of your write-up, please feel free to seek out an addition interview and write that one up if it goes better.

"In the Future" Application Packet
This project lets you do a little make-believe. Project yourself into the best possible version of your future. You can be 25, 30 or 40; have received scholarships to all the finest programs you ever wanted to be part of; you've worked for great companies and have learned plenty on the job. Now you are ready for your dream job! Use an online job listing (something like monsters.com) to find that perfect job. Be creative and have fun looking at all the options out there.

Once you have zeroed in on your dream job - create all the application materials you would need to actually apply for that job. You will have to use some creative writing to ensure you are qualified for the job - but go ahead and create a resume and related materials that would make you a strong candidate for the job. Your application materials should include all of the pieces listed in the Application Packet assignment. If the job listing asks for additional information — include it. You must also include a copy of the job you are applying for (printed from the internet or cut from a newspaper, etc.)

If your dream job is running your own company - use this as a chance to flesh out that dream. Rather than creating the above items, it might be more effective to create:

A resume and reference list

Your business card

A flyer or brochure for your company

A 1 to 2 page history of your company for potential investors or interested clients

To earn an "A" on this project your materials must show creativity and enthusiasm for the assignment. The application packet should coordinate well with the job description. The cover letter would clearly indicate that the student researched the company so they could personalize the letter to make a good impression. The made-up reference letter will list appropriate job skills and accomplishments. OR the materials for the entrepreneur will be professional and must show serious thought on this company and its activities. Personal and creative touches make it evident the student is passionate about their dream.

A project that earns a "B" grade will not be as in depth or demonstrate the same enthusiasm. The materials might have typos or sound "teenage" rather than adult. All the required materials are included.

Career Options in the Military
Many of us forget that some of the best training in the world is provided by the branches of the US Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Marines). And rather than require payment, you promise to return the "favor" by serving your country for a set amount of time. This is an option most of us should at least consider.

To earn credit for this project you will need to contact a recruiter from any branch of the service. Use the phone book to locate the local recruiting office. The Internet can also be a great resource for deciding which branch offers the types of careers that interest you most.

Tell the recruiter why you are interested in learning about their training opportunities. Thank them for any materials or advice they give you. Ask serious questions and investigate the opportunities they offer and what they ask of you in return. You will need to capture this experience in an essay or some other means of expression (PowerPoint might also work well.) Your project should include - which branch you investigated and why, a list of materials they gave you, how much time you spent talking with the recruiter, etc. Also discuss your perception of the military before your discussion and what you think afterwards. What did you learn? Anything surprise you? Conclude by discussing the likelihood of you joining the military. Is it the right choice for you? One you will consider more? Or not a good match? And be sure to comment about "why."

An "A" project will demonstrate the student took a genuine interest in learning about this career and training option. Much information was gathered and processed before the student came to their conclusions. The presentation is professional and includes specific details about the recruiter and the interview.

The project that earns a "B" will look more like a collection of materials but not have the evidence of thoughtful consideration on the part of the student. It might also lack details about the recruiter, the interview or the things discussed with the recruiter.

There are many "hidden" businesses in any town — businesses that provide products or services that most people never stop to think about. This project provides you an opportunity to show the class what your company provides.

Ask yourself: At the end of the day, what does my company make or do? You will need to create a visual representation of that final product or service. A PowerPoint will NOT be enough. Create something we can see and touch and move around to better understand what goes on where you work. You might be able to borrow product samples, take photos or cut up brochures. BE CREATIVE! Ask your coworkers for help. Most businesses are happy to participate in free advertising. J

Your 3-D display should also include these parts:

• Brief paragraphs that explain how MATH, WRITING, READING and at least one other subject area are used in the business.
• An essay that explains specifically what you do at the business and how that role fits into the bigger picture for the company.

There are as many ways to do this project as there are jobs. Think about it, brainstorm with others and DO A QUALITY JOB!

To earn an "A" on this project you must include a 3-D display, 4 paragraphs relating the business skills to school skills, and an essay on your part in the process. Each piece will be free of mistakes or errors that are distracting or confusing. Together, the pieces will tell a story without explanation needed by the student. The display could be used at a career fair or something like that.

To earn a "B" on this project you must include every part mentioned above, but some or all of those pieces might need one more draft to be professional. You may find yourself explaining things you didn’t include in the display information. The writing might contain distracting errors or mistakes. All in all, this project still tells the story of your company and how you fit into it.

Sometimes we learn things the hard way — and getting fired from a job is an opportunity to learn. If you have ever been fired, or even laid off from a job, you could complete this assignment.

You will essentially be writing an essay that includes the following information:

• Basic description of the place you worked
• Why you applied for a job there in the first place and how you got the job
• What you did as your regular routine there
• What led to your firing

All of this information should be presented in neutral or positive language — remember — you applied for a job there in the first place. This is NOT a place to complain or rag on the company or anyone that works there.

Second, you will write the REFLECTIVE part of the essay. This is the more personal section. Your goal is to demonstrate that you understand what happened and why or that you are still mad, but can see what you can learn from the experience. You should include details, still write formally and respectfully and remember that blaming everyone else will not show that you learned much!

Finally, now that you are a more seasoned worker, give some advice to the next teen that gets a job at this company. If they really need the job, what do they need to know or do so they don’t end up being fired? This could be one paragraph or more. Be specific and again, positive. Help others learn from your experience.

An "A" project will address all of the info called for above in a organized and professional piece of writing. The writing will have been revised and edited until it is free of distracting errors. The overall tone of the writing will communicate a level of maturity and understanding about what happened.

A "B" project will include the info asked for above, but the story might be incomplete or not really make sense to the reader because of missing details or distracting errors in the writing. A level of maturity and understanding will be evident, but the reader might also wonder if the student could learn even more from the experience.

A project that is just complaining and/or blaming will need to be redone before credit can be earned.

You are an experienced member of the workforce. You have successfully found and kept a job. You have probably also come to learn a little about the place you work and the kind of people who are successful there — and the kind that are not.

In this assignment you will basically pool that knowledge into a pamphlet or brochure that shares your "wisdom" with future applicants at the business where you work.

You need to gather info from at least two sources, and you can be one of them! Make a list of things that are considered "good signs" at your company and the things that are considered "bad signs" of applicants or new employees. Consider what you have observed or been told. Ask your manager or the business owner for about 15 minutes to visit and ask them the same questions so you have their perspective on what they look for in applicants and what really turns them off in an application or interview. Be a detective — what could a person do to almost guarantee they get hired and are successfully accepted at the company and what could that same person do to never get hired or to really annoy people their first week on the job. Be specific and get details that are specific to where you work. (For example, all bosses would say not to be late during your first week. But, what kind of excuse for being late would really get the boss upset?)

After you have a rough draft of this information (you will need to turn this in) you need to decide what info to share and how to organize it. Remember, your audience is someone who really wants to work there and wants to be successful. Tell them the inside secrets to success!

An "A" project will be in brochure form and be clearly linked to the brainstormed list. The brochure looks professional and thoughtful with no editing issues. The information included would be helpful to future applicants and is specific to one company/business in town. It might include a quote from the boss, the company logo, or another special touch that really shows the professional attitude of the student towards this project.

A "B" project is a brochure with good information in it. The info could be better organized or have some editing errors that were not fixed. While the information is useful, it could be more specific or detailed to be really helpful. The brochure looks good and is formal, but doesn’t have the professional feel of A work.