Talk about a reality check! High schoolers complete a lifestyle survey indicating their preference for housing, entertainment, etc., and then calculate the salary required to support those choices. Finally, they research the types of careers that would finance this lifestyle.

Concepts

career goals, career planning, career readiness, career skills, careers, problem solving strategies, problem solving techniques, critical thinking, flexibility

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Instructional Ideas

• Divide the class into teams and have each team investigate the local costs of one of the lifestyle options
• Have other teams investigate typical local salaries

Classroom Considerations

• Includes directions for classrooms with one and multiple computers
• Provides Blackline Masters for classrooms without technology
• Fourth in the 19 lesson Skills Identification and Career Exploration series
• The Reality Check Results Grid does not reflect current salaries and would need to be updated
• Requires copies

Pros

• The activity makes clear the differences between wants and needs

Cons