These lesson plans were created for educators (teachers, counselors, coaches, Career Development Coordinators - CDCs, career advisors, etc.) to make it easier to bring Career Exploration into the academic setting. Feel free to use and amend the plans to best meet your classroom needs. If you have any questions or comments about the plans, please contact nccareers @ commerce.nc.gov.
Click on a link to download the Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) or PDF file.
Overview of Site Lesson Plans
Reality Check Lesson Plans
Interest Finder Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Finder (4-5) | The Holland Codes Worksheet | |
| Interest Finder (6-8) | ||
| Interest Finder (9-12) | ||
| Interest Finder Post Secondary |
Career Cluster Match Lesson Plans
Be Your Own Boss Lesson Plans
Skills Matcher Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Skills Matcher (9-12) | ||
| Skills Matcher Post Secondary |
Work Values Sorter Lesson Plans
I Didn’t Know this Existed Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| I Didn’t Know this Existed (4-8) | ||
| I Didn’t Know this Existed (9-12) | ||
| I Didn’t Know this Existed Post Secondary |
What Can I do with that Education? Lesson Plans
Common Job Titles Lesson Plans
Similar Occupations Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Similar Occupations (4-5) | Compare & Contrast Worksheet | |
| Similar Occupations (6-8) | Compare & Contrast Worksheet | |
| Similar Occupations (9-12) | Compare & Contrast Worksheet |
What’s the Future of My Occupation? Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| What’s the Future of My Occupation (9-12) | Future of Occupation Worksheet | |
| What’s the Future of My Occupation Post Secondary | Future of Occupation Worksheet |
Career Planning Resources Lesson Plans
Getting a Job Lesson Plans
| Lesson Plan | Activity # 1 | Activity # 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Getting a Job (9-12) | ||
| Getting a Job Post Secondary | ||
| Creating a Cover Letter (9-12) | ||
| Creating a Resume (9-12) | ||
| Job Applications (9-12) | ||
| Job Interviews (9-12) |
These lesson plans were created for educators (teachers, counselors, coaches, Career Development Coordinators - CDCs, career advisors, etc.) to make it easier to bring Career Exploration into the academic setting. Feel free to use and amend the plans to best meet your classroom needs. If you have any questions or comments about the plans, please contact nccareers @ commerce.nc.gov.
Click on a link to download the Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) or PDF file.
Upper Elementary School (4-5 Grade) Lesson Plans
Middle School (6-8 Grade) Lesson Plans
High School (9-12 Grade) Lesson Plans
Post Secondary Lesson Plans
Career Development lesson plans were created for educators (teachers, counselors, coaches, Career Development Coordinators - CDCs, career advisors, etc.) to make it easier to bring career exploration into an academic setting. Feel free to amend the plans to best meet your classroom needs. Please share your thoughts about the value of these lessons so that others can benefit from your experience by completing the following survey. If you have your own career lesson plans that you would like to share with fellow educators, please contact nccareers @ commerce.nc.gov.
The Career Development Lesson Plans can be accessed either by topic or by grade level.
A special thank you to Kesha Dawson, Penny Clontz and Jennifer Yandle for their work in making these plans possible.
Printables
Career Cluster Re-Entry Guide (Printed 2025) - A small PDF version of the Career Exploration Guide focused on individuals reentering the workforce after a period of incarceration.
2025 Star Jobs Brochures by Region (8.5x11) - A printable resource that details the top rated occupations by region sorted by BLS minimum education level.
Career Exploration Guide (Updated Spring 2023 for viewing) (12MB) - North Carolina’s guide to career clusters, pathways, and occupations to help grow your future.
Career Exploration Guide (updated Spring 2023 for printing) (140MB) -- This is a version of the guide to share with professional printers for those interested in printing their own copies.
Printable version of the Interest Finder Assessment
Printable version of the Career Cluster Match Assessment
Mini-Career Cluster Handbook (Printed 2019) - A small PDF version of the Career Exploration Guide.
Career Cluster Military Guide (Printed 2020) - A small PDF version of the Career Exploration Guide focused on individuals entering the civilian labor force after exiting military service.
Educators can access student accounts with a ProTools account through CFNC.