Career Exploration: Finding Your Future – Early Semester

    $157.07

    NEW Course! “I think it is so important for gifted learners to build self understanding, which means, at its core, learning about their unique interests, strengths, and preferences. I created this course when a student came to me very interested in a niche topic, but they worried that it wouldn’t lead them to a “real job.” I guided that gifted student through a series of learning activities that helped them to see that, not only could their special interest eventually lead them to a professional career, but also that their strengths and passions could take them in any direction they wanted! I am excited to share this project-based learning course with others, and can’t wait to be your guide on this journey of exploration!” ~ Prof. Sydney

    Enrollment

    Available

    Step 1: Register Your Student

    Step 2: Enroll Your Registered Student

    Examples of different careers for Career Exploration at Athena's
    InstructorProf. Sydney Miller Milbert
    Content LevelsGrades 6-7 • Middle School
    Grades 7-8 • Junior High
    Grades 9-10 • Lower High School
    Course Length8 weeks
    Live Webinars Held OnWednesdays, 1:00 - 1:50 PM Pacific - 1/22/25 - 3/15/25

    This course features the creation of a “Day-in-the-Life” video about a career field of each learner’s choice, and it is centered around personal interest discovery and exploration. That means learners are in the driver’s seat for this journey!

    In this project-based learning class, learners will identify and analyze their own interests, strengths, and preferences to determine a career field that intrigues them most. This career field will become their individualized project topic, and we will use that topic to focus the development of media literacy and research skills, narrative writing, and ultimately the production of a Day-in-the-Life style video in which they take on the role of a professional in their chosen career field.

    Learners will:

    • Develop self-understanding,
    • Learn and implement research and media literacy skills,
    • Practice the writing process,
    • Participate in guided peer review, and
    • Create a multimedia digital video.

    This is truly an exploratory course where learners not only develop academic and professional skills, but also gain a deeper understanding of themselves in the process.

    As an added bonus, students will complete a digital multimedia project that will be a fantastic addition to their learning portfolios!

    Note to Parents:

    • This course includes independent research, which will require your child(ren) to find resources about their chosen topic area. While I will provide some initial resource suggestions, students may need guidance and supervision while conducting online research. Please preview research material as needed.

    Taught by Prof. Sydney Miller Milbert

    What to expect in the Required section in the classroom each week:

    • Forums asking you to share your opinion or experience about topics covered during the weekly webinar.
    • Forums asking you to interact and cooperate with your classmates.
    • Assignments and activities that build upon and connect to one another to complete the course project.
    • Watching a 2-5 minute video so that students can be prepared to discuss it during the weekly webinar.

    What to expect in the Highly Suggested & Optional sections in the classroom each week:

    • Curated resources, including websites & videos, are provided to excite learners and to add depth to the subject matter.

    What to expect during the weekly webinar:

    • Weekly webinars are 50 minutes long. Webinars are recorded and are available for students with schedule conflicts.
    • Primary instruction and guided discussions are provided during live webinars.
    • Active Participation (via the microphone and chat) in online class discussions.  
    • There will be opportunities for short periods of in-class work time. Students are encouraged to use this time to begin assignments, ask questions, or share their initial ideas. These assignments will be completed for homework. 
    • Students will be expected to be able to have multiple “tabs” or “apps” open and be able to navigate between them. A laptop or desktop computer will most effectively enable this process. Tablet use is not recommended for this course.

    Before taking this course, students should be able to: 

    • Learners should be able to read at a 6th grade level or above.
    • Learners should be able to write at a 6th grade level or above.
    • Learners should possess basic computer skills, such as typing and interacting with the online classroom/webinar interface.
    • Learners should be interested in creating digital multimedia!
    • Learners should be excited about exploring a career field of their choice!

    Students should be willing to:

    • Be prepared for the webinar.
    • Actively participate (via the microphone and chat) in the class discussion.
    • Respond with positive and encouraging comments on their classmates’ posts in the classroom forums.
    • Create a research-based individual project. Each week, we will work on a piece of that project that builds week to week.
    • Thoughtfully respond to weekly forum discussions or complete assignments related to the course project.
    • Share their final project, a digital video, during our final webinar.
    • Please Note: This course requires use of the Internet for research, writing in Google Docs (or another writing application of your choice), and developing digital media with Canva. Learners are advised to attend this course from a computer with a keyboard and mouse. Tablet use is not advised.

    Required books & materials:

    • Books: There are no required books for this course.
    • Research Material: For the research portion of this course, learners may wish to use books on their research topic from either a personal book collection or a library of their choice. Learners may also use Internet sources, at the discretion of their parents/guardians.
    • Parents/Guardians: Please preview research material and/or Internet sources in alignment with your learner’s specific needs.
    • Canva: Learners will need a user account and access to Canva, a free web application for creating digital media. During the course, I will provide links to connect with my Canva templates.
    • Google Docs: Learners will need a user account and access to Google Docs. Throughout the course, I will provide all necessary handouts in digital format for you to either print or complete digitally.