Subjects and jobs displays

Lesson

To enable students in schools and colleges to see the link between subjects being studied and the world of work.

Context

Many students find it difficult to relate the subjects they are studying to the world of work. One way of getting this message across is to put up displays in subject rooms of jobs where an interest or ability in that subject is useful.

Learning outcomes

Students can describe the link between a job and the school subject(s) where an interest or ability is useful for that job.

Level

Any group of students following a program of study in secondary or tertiary education.

Resources

Access to JED, a printer and displaying backing material.

Contribution to National Framework

This activity contributes to the following learning outcome, KS3 learning outcome 10.

Starter

Give the class four different job titles and ask them to list the subjects useful for that job.

Main

In groups, decide on the subject area you wish to represent e.g. History or Leisure and Tourisim. Use the search facility in JED to generate a list of job titles related to that subject. From the list, select ten job titles and where available, print out a picture from the selected job titles, with the caption. If you wish to add further information, such as the job description, the text can be saved to the clipboard, imported into a word processing package and manipulated to make it suitable for a wall display. For example:-

Jobs using History, with the appropriate caption:

  • Antiques Dealer - Putting an antique chess set on display.
  • Archivist - Finding out about things from many years ago.
  • Bookshop Assistant - Telling the customer more about the book.
  • Conservator-Restorer - Taking photos at every stage of the repair.
  • Hat Designer - An unusual hat on display.
  • Museum Assistant/Technician - Using a computer when designing a new display.
  • Politician - Telling the children what politicians do.
  • Religious Leader - Listening to a parishioner's problems during a difficult time.
  • Solicitor - Using the internet to find out more.
  • Tourist Guide - Talking about the history of a building.

Plenary

Ask students to identify a career aim and get them to consider how well they are doing in the subjects that may be useful.

Extension Activity

Students could design advertisements that would attract people with an interest/ability in a particular subject to jobs related to it.

Page date 22/09/08