Career Connections (Technology Forum version)

Activity	Career Connections
Overview	Participants play a word-matching game to discover the variety of careers that can result from your technology program. As an optional follow-up, invite program graduates, professors, or industry representatives to talk about related careers.
Time	15-20 minutes
Materials	(For each group of 2-4 participants) Career/Word Cards (Word) Envelope Career Descriptions handout (Word) Note: If you are unable to open the customizable Word documents, you can view the contents in PDF format.

Customize for Your College:

1. Choose the technology program(s) you wish to highlight.
   
   
2. Prepare the Career/Word Cards Template by doing the following:
   • Identify 4-6 career fields that relate to your technology program(s). Enter each career field name on a "Career Card." For example, studies in manufacturing technology could lead to a career in nanofabrication. (If you are having graduates speak about their work, be sure to include their career fields.)
   • For each career field, think of an interesting product or application. Then choose two words that describe that product or application and enter them on the "Word Cards." Select words that might be an unusual pair. For example, a technician in nanofabrication might engineer artificial capillary systems (words: nanometer and capillary system).
     
     
3. Prepare the Career Descriptions Template by filling in each matching word pair and the corresponding program and career. Add brief descriptions that show the connection between each career and matching word pair. See Sample Career Cards (PDF) and Sample Career Descriptions (PDF) for sample career cards, technology fields, and career descriptions.
   
   
4. (OPTIONAL) Invite a few graduates of your technology programs to talk about their current careers.

Set Up:

1. Make copies of the completed Career/Word Cards. Cut out the cards from each sheet and put them into an envelope. Prepare one set per group.
   
   
2. Make copies of the completed Career Descriptions handout for each group.

Procedure:

1. Divide the participants into small groups of two to four. Give each group an envelope with the Career/Word Cards. Ask them to match each of the careers with two words that relate. For example, the words encryption and networks relate to the career of cybersecurity.
   
   
2. Distribute copies of the Career Descriptions handout. Ask groups to compare their word pairs to those on the handout.
   
   
3. Lead a discussion about the careers featured in the game. What is the demand for these careers? What is the placement rate for your graduates into these careers? What programs and courses do students need to take to prepare for these careers? What other careers are connected to your programs? Talk about how technology fields are rapidly changing and new careers are constantly on the horizon. How might this game be used with prospective students whom participants advise? What are good ways to communicate with prospective students about these careers? Use this as an information-gathering opportunity for your recruitment strategies.
   
   
4. Conclude by distributing additional materials you have that describe your technology programs and related careers.
   
   
5. (OPTIONAL) Invite program graduates, professors, or industry representatives to talk about current careers. Talking points could include:
   • Description of current job responsibilities
   • Career path
   • How they were prepared for the job through your program
   
   Or show related segments from the Success Stories video, which profiles six community college graduates and their career paths in engineering technology, modern manufacturing, and information and communication technology.