Tools of the Trade

Get your students’ minds buzzing with opportunities for their futures! Gather tools and instruments (either actual objects or pictures of them) that are used in a wide variety of professions. Possible tools could be a tripod, a hammer, a stethoscope, a utility knife, a scientific calculator, a canvas, a cardboard box and an electronic writing pad. Challenge students to come up with at least two professions that employ the use of that instrument on a routine basis and then describe what the tool is used for. When the list is complete, have them identify which career they are most likely to pursue, which they are curious about and which they are least likely to pursue. If you have the time, they can also detail their reasoning behind those choices.

To put a twist on the activity, have all of the tools you select relate to professions within your academic area. An easy way to draw the connection to how relevant your class actually is to your students’ futures!
Career Development Tip for October 20, 2008