Individual Activity: Creating a One-Page Resume

In this activity, you will create a one-page resume to showcase your skills, experiences, and qualifications. Follow these guidelines to create a professional and effective resume:

1. Start with a strong header that includes your name, contact information, and a professional email address.
2. Create a brief summary statement that highlights your skills and experiences that match the job requirements.
3. List your education, including your high school, graduation date, and any relevant coursework or honors.
4. Include your work experience, including job titles, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
5. List any relevant skills, such as computer proficiency, language skills, or certifications.
6. Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and quantify your accomplishments, such as increasing sales or improving customer satisfaction.

Tips for making your resume stand out:

1. Customize your resume to match the job requirements and use keywords that are relevant to the job.
2. Keep your resume concise and use clear and easy-to-read fonts and formatting.
3. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and make them sound more impressive.
4. Tailor your resume to the specific job and company you are applying for, and show your enthusiasm for the job.
5. Proofread your resume carefully to eliminate any errors or typos.

By the end of this activity, you will have a professional and effective one-page resume that highlights your skills, experiences, and qualifications, and helps you stand out to potential employers.

Project Assignment: Resume Review and Mock Interview

Objective:

The objective of this project assignment is to help students improve their resume writing and interview skills by reviewing each other's resumes, asking questions, providing feedback, and conducting mock interviews.

Instructions:

Pair up with another student in the class.

1. Exchange resumes with your partner.
2. Review your partner's resume and take note of areas that need improvement.
3. Schedule a time to meet with your partner to discuss each other's resumes.
4. During the meeting, ask your partner questions about their resume and provide constructive feedback on areas that need improvement.
5. Use a list of common resume mistakes to guide your review and feedback.
6. After the resume review, take turns conducting mock interviews with each other.
7. Prepare a list of common interview questions and provide feedback on areas that need improvement.
8. Use a list of common interview mistakes to guide your feedback.
9. Provide constructive criticism and use the feedback to improve your resume and interview skills.

Objective: The objective of this assignment is to help you become more aware of how you spend your time, categorize your activities based on their value, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Instructions:

For one week, keep track of everything you do each day, including the start time and the activity. Categorize each activity based on their value using the following categories:

• Necessity: Activities that are necessary for your basic needs, such as sleeping, eating, and personal hygiene.
• High Value: Activities that contribute to your long-term goals, such as studying, exercise, and hobbies.
• Planning: Activities that involve planning, organization, or reflection, such as setting goals, reviewing notes, or creating a schedule.
• Low Value: Activities that are not productive or add little value, such as watching TV, scrolling through social media, or playing video games.

At the end of the week, review your schedule and categorize each activity according to the above categories.

Write a reflection paper that includes the following:

• A summary of how you spent your time during the week, including the total hours spent on each category.
• An analysis of how well you managed your time, including strengths and weaknesses in your time management skills.
• A discussion of the impact of the different categories on your daily life, such as how high-value activities contribute to your long-term goals, or how low-value activities may hinder your productivity.
• Suggestions for how you can improve your time management skills and optimize your schedule to achieve your goals.

Example activities:

• Necessity: Sleeping, eating, personal hygiene, commuting to school/work.
• High Value: Studying, exercising, reading, practicing a skill or hobby.
• Planning: Setting goals, reviewing notes, creating a schedule, and reflecting on your progress.
• Low Value: Watching TV, scrolling through social media, playing video games, chatting with friends.

We hope this assignment helps you become more aware of your time management and prioritization skills, and identify opportunities for improvement!

Objective: The objective of this assignment is to help students practice professionalism and good listening skills while working collaboratively in a group to propose a solution to an issue in their school or community. 

Instructions:

1. Students will come to school dressed in professional attire, such as business casual or business formal.
2. Divide students into groups of 4-6, and appoint one person as the president who will keep the meeting moving politely.
3. Each group will choose an issue they would like to discuss, such as an improvement in their school or the city they live in.
4. The board of directors will discuss ideas and make a proposal for an improvement at the end of the board meeting.

The group assignment should last one class period, during which time the board will discuss the issue and brainstorm solutions.

The second class period will consist of each board presenting their topic and proposed solution in 5 minutes or less.

The presentation should include a brief overview of the issue, a summary of the proposed solution, and any supporting data or research that was conducted.

The presentation should demonstrate professionalism, clarity, and good listening skills.

Assessment: Students will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Professionalism: Did the students come dressed in professional attire and conduct themselves in a professional manner during the meeting and presentation?
• Listening Skills: Did the students actively listen to their teammates' ideas and provide constructive feedback?
• Collaboration: Did the students work together as a team to develop a proposal for an improvement in their school or community?
• Presentation: Was the presentation clear, concise, and supported by relevant data and research?

In this classroom activity, students will pair up and take turns role-playing as a customer with a complaint and a professional trying to resolve the issue. The goal of the activity is to practice effective communication skills and conflict resolution in a customer service scenario.

To start the activity, students will be paired up and decide who will play the role of the unhappy customer and who will play the professional. The unhappy customer will come up with a specific complaint related to a product or service, while the professional will need to use active listening and problem-solving skills to resolve the issue.

Once the roles are assigned, the pair will begin their scenario. The unhappy customer will explain their complaint to the professional, and the professional will need to listen actively and ask clarifying questions to understand the issue fully. The professional will then try to find a resolution that satisfies the customer, using empathy and communication skills to diffuse the situation.

After a set amount of time, the pairs will switch roles, and the previously unhappy customer will become the professional, and vice versa. This rotation allows each student to practice both communication styles and learn from the experience.

After the activity, the class can have a debrief discussion on effective communication strategies and how to handle difficult customer service situations. This activity provides a practical and engaging way for students to develop crucial customer service skills while also building teamwork and communication abilities.

Objective:

The objective of this assignment is for students to identify a new skill they would like to learn, use available online resources such as YouTube and AI, and practice the skill until they have developed proficiency. The project aims to help students develop independent learning skills, use technology to enhance learning, and explore areas of interest.

Instructions:

Identify a new skill: Students should choose a new skill that they would like to learn. It could be anything from cooking to coding, playing an instrument to painting, or any other skill that they are interested in.

Get Approval: Once the skill has been identified, the student should submit a proposal to the teacher for approval. The proposal should include a brief description of the skill, the reasons for choosing it, and the resources that will be used to learn it.

Study and Practice: After getting approval, students should begin studying and practicing the skill using available online resources such as YouTube and AI. Students should aim to spend at least 10 hours on this project.

Report Back: After practicing the skill, students should write a report describing their experience. The report should include details such as the resources used, the amount of time spent on the project, any difficulties encountered, and how they overcame them. Students should also include examples of their work, such as videos or images of the skill being demonstrated. Presentation: Students will present their findings to the class in a 5-minute presentation. The presentation should include a demonstration of the skill and examples of the work done.

Optional Grading Rubric:

• Skill Identification (10 points): The skill identified should be clear and relevant.
• Approval (10 points): The proposal should be clear, concise, and convincing.
• Study and Practice (40 points): Students should demonstrate a clear commitment to learning the skill and show evidence of consistent practice.
• Report (20 points): The report should be well-written, thoughtful, and detailed, and include examples of the student's work.
• Presentation (20 points): The presentation should be engaging, well-organized, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the skill.

Note: Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any instances of plagiarism will result in a failing grade.

Career Planning: Positioning Yourself for a Management Role

Objective: The objective of this lesson is to help students explore potential career paths, identify the skills and experiences required for a managerial role, and create a plan for career advancement. Instructions:

1. Job Selection: Students should choose a job that they would like to have and work as a manager in. The job could be in any field or industry, but it should be something that they are passionate about.
2. Research: Students should research the job requirements and skills necessary to be successful in the role. They should also research the typical career path for someone in that role and identify potential promotion opportunities.
3. Presentation: Students should create a 10-slide presentation outlining the steps they would take to get the job and position themselves for a promotion. The presentation should include the following:
   • Job Description: A brief description of the job and the responsibilities associated with it.
   • Required Skills: A list of the skills required for the job and how the student plans to develop those skills.
   • Education and Training: The education and training required for the job and how the student plans to obtain those qualifications.
   • Career Path: A description of the typical career path for someone in the job and how the student plans to advance within the organization.
   • Promotion Opportunities: A description of potential promotion opportunities and how the student plans to position themselves for a promotion.
   • Personal Development: A plan for personal development, including any extracurricular activities, volunteering, or internships that will help the student gain experience and develop the necessary skills.
   • Networking: A plan for networking and building professional relationships in the field or industry.
   • Conclusion: A summary of the presentation and the student's commitment to pursuing the career path.
4. Presentation Delivery: Students will present their findings to the class in a 5-10 minute presentation. The presentation should be engaging, well-organized, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the career path.

Optional Grading Rubric:

• Job Selection (10 points): The chosen job should be relevant to the student's interests and career goals.
• Research (30 points): The research should be thorough, accurate, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the job requirements and career path.
• Presentation (40 points): The presentation should be well-organized, visually appealing, and demonstrate a clear plan for career advancement.
• Delivery (20 points): The presentation should be engaging, professional, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the career path.

Note: Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any instances of plagiarism will result in a failing grade.

Assignment: Research the following questions, which should be posted on a government website for your state, providence, or location. Be sure to look for the current year, and not use old data.

Be prepared to discuss them in class if your instructor chooses.

Current State Labor Laws:

1. What is the current minimum wage in your state?
2. Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage laws? If so, what are they?
3. How many hours can an employee work in a day or week in your state?
4. How many hours must an employee work before they are entitled to overtime pay in your state?
5. What is the overtime pay rate in your state?
6. What are the rules regarding meal and rest breaks in your state?
7. How old must someone be to work in your state?
8. Are there any restrictions on the type of work that minors can do in your state?
9. What are the safety rules and regulations for your state's workplaces?
10. What is the process for reporting a workplace safety violation in your state?
11. What are the rules for providing sick leave or family leave in your state?
12. Are there any specific rules regarding payment of final wages to employees who are terminated or resign in your state?
13. What are the rules regarding paid time off in your state?