On the Other Side of the Desk

Open the doors to a variety of careers then imagine yourself on the job.

• 1.

  Choose a career that interests you. Who do you know in that kind of job? What is a day like in that line of work? What do people in this career think about while they do their job? What skills are necessary? If possible, job shadow or interview someone. Find out information about career preparation, responsibilities, challenges, and rewards in that profession. Share your findings with others in your class.

• 2.

  Imagine yourself in the career you have chosen. With Crayola® Crayons, draw yourself doing the job of interest to you.

• 3.

  Cover a table top with recycled newspaper. Use Crayola Watercolors to apply color to the larger areas of your drawing. To apply a wash of color, begin by moistening the area you want painted with a wet paintbrush. Then dip the brush in watercolor, and apply it to the damp surface. For darker colors, hold a larger amount of paint on your brush. Dry flat.

• 4.

  Use Crayola Washable Markers to add detail in the painted areas.

• 5.

  Write a story about yourself in your imagined career, "If I were a (teacher, chemist, truck driver)...." What would you do? With whom would you work? In what setting? Display your story with your painting.

Benefits

• Students research careers, select one of interest, and collect information about education, responsibilities, and rewards of that profession.
• Students begin to recognize the variety of types of careers available to them.
• Children visualize themselves in careers, and represent themselves on the job both graphically and in narrative form.

Adaptations

• Use this technique of imagining yourself in someone else's position to resolve other questions. If you and your best friend have different opinions, imagine being him/her, and create your drawing and story accordingly.
• Compile a class book of career opportunities. Add to it as children develop new interests.
• Interview retired people you know. Ask about their first jobs, and subsequent ones. How often did they change careers? Why? What new skills did they learn? What is their advice for young people?