OVERVIEW: Using the amusement parks theme, create a résumé for a job in theme park. 

AUTHOR(S): Karen Propst

VITAL INFORMATION

Subjects: 

Business Computer Applications I

Unit and Topic:

Careers, Building a Résumé

Grade/Level:

9-12

Time Allotment:

90 minutes

Pre-Requisite Skills:

Students must have

ˇ         Knowledge of the keyboard

ˇ         Knowledge of Microsoft Word

 

Objective(s):

The students will be able to:

ˇ         Create a personal résumé to assist in applying for jobs in the future.

ˇ         Be knowledgeable in what potential employers are looking for in an employee

ˇ         Determine areas of career interest

Summary:

This lesson will encourage the students to discuss what kinds of jobs they can obtain for summer employment using the inquiry based method of instruction.  To tie in with the VRML section of the lesson, theme park employment will be researched.  Discussion about how to apply for a job, attend an interview, and keep a job will be included.  The students will apply for a job at a park by creating a résumé. 

PREPARATION

 Create a PowerPoint presentation to enhance the discussion of careers and résumés

Look up parks—theme parks, resorts, vacation spots, cruise lines etc. to determine what websites are the best to use

Create a sample résumé

Make sure the Résumé Wizard is available in Microsoft Word

Instructional Materials

ˇ         PowerPoint presentation

ˇ         Sample résumés—one “rejected” and one acceptable  (Word File)

ˇ         Student Evaluation Rubric (Word File)

ˇ         Teacher Evaluation Rubric (Excel File)

ˇ         Computer with Microsoft Word and an Internet connection

ˇ         Résumé paper (different colors and quality)

ˇ         Application for Employment for Massanutten Resort, downloaded from the website:  http://www.massresort.com

ˇ         VRML sample website:  http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris/webDesign/vrml/

ˇ         VRML Roller Coaster:  http://www.cs.iupui.edu/~aharris/mm/coaster.wrl

 

 

Resources:

ˇ         OWL online writing lab through Purdue University--http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/RésuméW/

ˇ         Job Search Manual, A free internet source from SunRaye Interprised, http://www.sunraye.com/job_net/part5.htm#a

ˇ         An article on References:  The Wall Street Journal, Career Journal, September 17, 2002

ˇ         2 resume handouts for Ray Zummay

ˇ         The Job Hunting Handbook by Harry Dahlstrom (Dahlstom+Company, 50 October Hill Road, Holliston, MA  01746, (http://dahlstromCo.com)

ˇ         Top 10 interview mistakes, CNN.com

ˇ         Top 10 summer jobs, CNN.com

ˇ         Why your résumé annoys employers, CNN.com

ˇ         To research Child Labor Standards Affecting Minors Under 18 in Non-farm Employment:  U.S. Department of Labor/Employment Standards Administration:  http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/state/nonfarm.htm

For class research:

ˇ         www.pki.com (Kings Island)

ˇ         www.sixflags.com (Six Flags)

ˇ         www.disneycareers.com (Disney World)

ˇ         www.idlewild.com/employment (Idlewild Park/Storybook Forest)

ˇ         www.massresort.com (Massanutten Resort)

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 To implement this lesson I will discuss the idea of having a job and the process of actively searching for one Included in the discussion would be the whole application process (application, résumé, cover letter, interview, job skills) but the résumé would be the main object of this lesson.    During the discussion, handouts “Writing the Resume” and a sample acceptable résumé and unacceptable résumé would be examined.

After some discussion the PowerPoint presentation will be used to enhance the résumé discussion and explain parts of the résumé.  Also, linking to the OWL site will provide additional resources to aid the students in understanding how to create their own résumé.  To determine what job the students will apply for, research will be done at some parks of their choice.  Depending on time restraints, Kings Island would be used and the Creative Services—Technician position under the Technical Services department would be used by all.  After determining what will be included on the résumé, the students will use Microsoft Word’s Resume Wizard to create and print their own on regular paper.  The students then use peer review with the student rubric to evaluate and revise before printing on résumé paper.   Finally they will be “offered” the job of Creative Services Technician Assistant in the Technical Services Department at a theme park.  Their first assignment will be to look at the VRML roller coaster and decide what needs to be done about the car.

 

 

 

Introduction/Motivation:

Money!!!  What type of summer job would be the best to have?  How many have been to a theme park, resort, etc. this summer?  Were there any jobs you noticed that would be “cool” to have?

Learning Context :

 

This is mostly a “hands-on” approach with discussion using the inquiry based method of learning.

Procedure:

 

Through the inquiry based teaching strategy, students will learn by discussion and hands on applications how to create their own résumé.

 

Differentiated Instruction:

This lesson will include kinesthetic learning by using the computer to research and type the resume.  Some may want to write the information before adding it to the wizard.  Visual learner will benefit from the PowerPoint presentation and handouts as well as websites that will be visited.  Auditory learners will have the advantage of the teachers and peers discussing using the inquiry method of how to create a useful resume.

 

Sample Student Products:

Students will print personal résumé.

Collaboration:

Students may work in groups of 2 to research and comment on the jobs available, qualifications, and requirements to apply to an amusement park, resort, etc.  To proofread the rough draft, students will work in pairs to revise.

Author's Comments & Reflections:

Using pre-Word 2007 the resume wizard is available.  If you are using Word 2007, there are only templates and not a wizard so modifications may need to be made.  Also, this lesson can be done without a wizard or template, especially for Business Computer Applications II, by creating a resume from scratch using tabs and original formatting.

 

This section of the unit can last between 45-90 minutes depending on how much research the students do and the time spent on getting their information in order.

 

STANDARDS & ASSESSMENTS

 To assess the finished product the Resume Rubric will be used.

Standards

WV CONTENT STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES:

Vocational Education/Business Computer Applications I

1411.1.1    Research educational requirements and skill experience for careers in information systems. 

1411.3.1    Demonstrate proper keyboarding techniques.

1411.3.2    Develop proper usage of word processing, database, and/or spreadsheet software terminology.

1411.3.3    Apply integrated software to perform input, processing, output and revision of various business documents.

1411.3.4    Employ the word processing function of an integrated package to complete a document requiring the use of commands to create, format, edit, save and print. 

1411.3.9    Proofread and revise assigned projects to produce correct final output.

USA - 21ST CENTURY LEARNING SKILLS & ICT LITERACY

NATIONAL STANDARDS

Technology Standards

  • Flexibility & Adaptability
    • Adapting to varied roles and responsibilities
    • Working effectively in a climate of ambiguity and changing priorities
  • Initiative & Self-Direction
    • Monitoring one’s own understanding and learning needs
    • Going beyond basic mastery of skills and/or curriculum to explore and expand one’s own learning and opportunities to gain expertise
    • Demonstrating initiative to advance skill levels towards a professional level
  • Productivity & Accountability
    • Setting and meeting high standards and goals for delivering quality work on time
    • Demonstrating diligence and a positive work ethic (e.g., being punctual and reliable)

 

Assessment/Rubrics

Resume Rubric—Teacher Evaluation Rubric (Excel File)