CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION PROJECT

  1. PURPOSE

In order to graduate from California Area High School, all students will successfully complete a career-based graduation project. This extensive project will include various components, such as a written paper supported by research, an oral presentation with visual enhancements, and a mini portfolio. “The purpose of the culmination project is to assure that students are able to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and communicate significant knowledge and understanding.”

Per Chapter Four, State Board of Education, 1999, PA School Code 4.13/4.24

  1. INTRODUCTION

The following pages contain instructions for completing a successful graduation project at California High School. The graduation project is a mandatory program that students must complete to fulfill graduation requirements. The California School District considers this graduation project a valuable learning experience for students and encourages parent involvement in the projects.

  1. REQUIREMNTS FOR CAREER RESEARCH
  1. The student will complete a job survey of the career in which he or she is interested in pursuing (refer to Job Survey Sheet).
  2. The student must conduct one interview with an individual working in the job related to their career interest (refer to Job Interview Sheet).
  3. The student must write a thank-you letter to the person with whom the career-based interview was completed. A copy needs to be included in the Graduation Project Portfolio (refer to Thank-You Letter Example).
  4. Student must complete a resume.
  1. WRITTEN COMPONENT
  1. Requirements
  2. The written component must include the 12 Step Graduation Project at least five pages in length, using 1” side margins and 12 font.
  3. The paper needs to include a separate Works Cited page listing the research. The source requirements are a minimum of three total sources including internet, interviews, books, periodicals, and journals.
  1. SENIOR PRESENTATION
  1. Must be eight to ten minutes in length
  2. Student should review the portfolio.
  3. Include explanation of career interest, job survey, interviews, and job shadows.
  4. Includes significant findings with explanations.
  5. Students must prepare at least one visual/physical project.
  6. Student must have a conclusion with reflective closing statements.
  1. MINI-PORTFOLIO
  1. Students must include all requirements in their graduation project portfolio.

The order in the portfolio is as follows:

  1. Cover Sheet
  2. Resume
  3. Job Survey Sheet
  4. Letter of Request
  5. Question/Answer Interview
  6. Letter of Thanks
  7. Twelve-Step/Works Cited Project
  8. Physical Project
  9. Presentation Paper

GRADUATION PROJECT 2012

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

  1. All Steps are due on the day listed. Late excuses are not acceptable. Points are given for handing in papers on time.
  2. Guidelines must be followed explicitly.
  3. Hand-written copies are acceptable in an emergency situation—computer crashes, ink runs out, power goes out—however, all final Graduation Projects must be typed according to the following format:
  4. DOUBLE SPACED

12 TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT

ONE-INCH MARGINS TOP,

BOTTOM, SIDES.

  1. All Steps of the project must be saved on disc, computer, hard-copies, etc. The final that is turned in will be a corrected copy of all the steps. You must have all your steps saved in several places in order to avoid typing the entire project over at the end. Projects are acceptable; lost step excuses are not.
  2. Absolutely no work will be accepted if there are parts that are not properly cited using MLA Format. Plagiarism is grounds for failing this project. Cover sheets will be designed according to the class format which will be given to you.
  3. Any questions, please ask BEFORE due dates.

SENIOR PROJECT: STEP ONE

DUE : January 25, 2012

LENGTH: Minimum Two Typed Fronts

Font: 12 Times New Roman

Double-spaced

One inch margins: top, bottom, sides

TOPIC: Name of career

Specific description of your career choice (State the

details about the career. Why is it needed? What

does a person do in this career?)

Years/months to achieve

Type of certification/degree you will receive

Place to obtain or learn about your career

Expected need for this job: careerlink pa

Expected duties of the job

Cost for education/job training

Expected time spent each day at work

Expected years you intend to work at this career

Further education needed for advancement

Career earnings

Left hand side margin: Your Name

Project Step One

Date

Ms. Dillon

If your computer is not working, handwrite the assignment. Step One is worth 20 points.

STEP TWO

DUE: January 31, 2012

LENGTH: Minimum THREE-QUARTERS OF A PAGE

12 Times New Roman Font

Double-space

Name

Graduation Project Step 2

Date:

Ms. Dillon

Period ____

Explain in detail what led you to your choice for your career. Why did you make the choice that you did? When did you make this choice? Did anyone help you to decide? Does anyone you know have this particular career? Have you always wanted to be this particular type of person? Explain in detail.

STEP THREE

Due: February 3, 2012

Length: Minimum one-half page

Font: 12 Times New Roman

Double spaced, typed

One inch margins on top, bottom, and sides

TOPIC: Explain which high school classes were most beneficial to you during your high school career. How can these classes help you in your future? What other classes should be available for high school students? If you use references from other people/sources, use a citation page.

STEPS 4, 5, and 6 are all due on the following date.

DUE DATE: Friday, February 10, 2012

STEP 4

LENGTH = ½ PAGE MINIMUM

Provide a description of leisure activities you plan to enjoy based on the income you will receive and the time requirements of your career. Include a description of the type of community that best suits your personality, interests, and goals. Will you live in a large city, rural area, small town, etc.? How will you spend your free time?

STEP 5

LENGTH: ONE TYPED FRONT MINIMUM

Choose three (3) projects that you have done in your high school career that demonstrate skills that you will need when you begin to study in your career choice. You may include a description of the project from grade nine, a description of your genealogy, and a description of your eleventh grade research project. In addition, you may include projects that you have done in other classes such as CADD, Vo-Tech, Physical Education, and science. You may also include projects/jobs that you have done after school. Length is three paragraphs that equal one typed front that is double-spaced.

STEP 6

LENGTH: ONE-HALF PAGE MINIMUM

Provide a description of career choices made by family members or other significant persons in you life. Describe what these persons do for a living. Explain how knowledge or contact with these persons influenced your future plans. These persons could also include your peers in your grade or those who have graduated already from high school.

STEP 7 DUE: February 20, 2012

LENGTH: ONE PAGE MINIMUM plus JOB SURVEY SHEET WHICH IS TO BE ATTACHED TO THIS STEP.

CITATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS STEP: STEP 7

Cite research or provide justification which shows the need in society for the vocational career that you choose to pursue. Why are people needed in your particular field of study? THIS STEP WILL REQUIRE QUOTATIONS FROM SOME TYPE OF JOB SITE OR FROM A PROFESSIONAL IN THE FIELD. USE INTERNET CITATIONS OR INTERVIEW CITATIONS. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the information. Explain what you have found. The Job Survey Sheet is part of this step.

JOB SURVEY SHEET: Fill in the answers.

Career Choice:

  1. What statistics did you find predicting future openings in your career choice? (Remember to project three to six years in the future.)
  1. What is the average annual income for someone in this field? Does this amount differ depending upon where you reside?
  1. What level of education does one need to get started in the career? What levels of education must one have to advance in this field?
  1. Within this career field, name five specific job titles in which one would be able to work:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

  1. What is the typical benefits package (insurance, retirement plans, etc.) that is offered to individuals in this career?

What part-time, summer, or internship jobs could provide valuable experiences towards full-time employment in this career?

Works Cited (Place cited works on a separate sheet. Use MLA style format for your citations.)

DUE: February 23, 2012

STEP 8

LENGTH: ONE-HALF PAGE MIMINUM PLUS YOUR RESUME

Describe volunteer activities you have completed during your high school years and future plans to continue with these projects as a way of giving to the community in which you will reside. If you have never done any volunteer work, what kind of volunteer work would you like to do? Will you like to work with children, with the elderly, with sporting groups, with scouting, with hospitals, etc.?

INCLUDE YOUR COMPLETED UP-DATED RESUME IN THIS STEP.

DUE: February 28

STEP 9

Length: ½ page Double-spaced minimum

Font: 12 Times Roman

Analyze your academic strengths and weaknesses based on tests, projects, or standardized tests taken during your high school career. Which subjects were you most interested in learning more? Which subjects did you received the highest scores? Which subjects did you need to work in longer in order to succeed? Be realistic. Evaluate your choices in the school’s courses and extracurricular programs. Did you make the right choices throughout your high school career when you chose your courses throughout high school? Explain. Provide details for your statements.

DATE DUE: March 5, 2012

10

Part One: Compose a letter for an interview. There are two examples below. The letter is not to be mailed.

Part Two: Compose a letter of THANKS for the interview. The letter is not to be mailed. An example is below.

Part A: Letter asking for an interview or phone interview completion.

Apt. B11
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
January 11, 2005

Taylor, Inc.
694 Rockstar Lane
Durham, NC 27708

Dear Human Resources Director:

I just read an article in the News and Observer about Taylor's new computer center just north of Durham. I would like to apply for a position as an entry-level programmer at the center.

I understand that Taylor produces both in-house and customer documentation. My technical writing skills, as described in the enclosed resume, are well suited to your company. I am a recent graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology in Atlanta with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. In addition to having taken a broad range of courses, I served as a computer consultant at the college's computer center where I helped train users to work with new systems.

I will be happy to meet with you at your convenience and discuss how my education and experience match your needs. You can reach me at my home address, at (919) 233-1552, or at .

Sincerely,

Raymond Krock

Second Example of a letter for an interview.

2520 Vista Avenue
Olympia, Washington 98501
April 19, 2010

Mr. Bob Trimm, Personnel Manager
Importers Inc.
587 Lilly Road

Dear Mr. Trimm:

I am writing to you in response to your advertisement for a Legal Assistant specializing in Port Regulatory Law, which appeared in the Seattle Times on Sunday, June 15. As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and qualifications match this position's requirements.

I especially would like to point out that I graduated Cum Laude from The University of Tacoma and was hired directly upon graduation due to my expertise in port authority regulations.

During the four years that I worked for Shoreman and Co., I further deepened my knowledge of the fast changing regulatory laws in our state. My employer also thought highly enough of my abilities to promote me to head legal researcher after my first year of employment.

I look forward to an opportunity to personally discuss the position with you. I will call you within the next five days to arrange an interview.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Beare

Letter thanking the person interviewed.

SAMPLE THANK-YOU LETTER

October 20, 2010

Mrs. Tracy Roberts

Associate Manage

Tasssels, Inc.

4503 Industrial Highway

Chester Springs, PA 19548-0003

Dear Mrs. Roberts:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to shadow you in your daily duties with Tassels, Inc. This not only fulfilled my graduation project requirements, but also provided me with valuable experience toward my goals of becoming an interior designer.

I found it interesting to learn more about you and your (Job, career, industry, company, department). The most interesting thing I learned was … (Please tailor you second paragraph to include specific information about some positive aspects and what you learned from your shadow experience. Include your interest of part-time or summer openings, your future educational goals and plans, etc.)

Again, thank you for helping me with my career exploration. If you need to contact me for any reasons, I can be reached at 610-888-8888 or at my email address jondoe@.aol.com

Sincerely,

**** (Signature here in black or blue ink)****

Mr. Jon Doe

3411 Haycreek Road

Birdsboro, PA 19508-3222

Date due: March 12

STEP 11: Interview a person in the job field you have chosen. You may do a virtual interview on the internet if you do not know a person. Answer each of the following questions on these sheets.

Interview questions.

  1. What is your job title?
  2. What education and training is needed for this job and/or career area?
  3. How did the person decide on this particular career?
  4. Are there any required certificates or licenses for this job?
  5. How is technology/computers used in this job? Is there any other equipment that is needed to perform in this job?
  6. What high school courses would help a person to prepare for this job?
  7. What hours do you normally work?
  8. What problems can arise on a job like this?
  9. What types of teamwork or collaboration do you do?
  10. What is the salary range for this job? What are the job benefits?
  11. What are the positive aspects of the job?
  12. What are the negative aspects of the job?
  13. What are six personal characteristics needed for this job?
  14. Describe the activities/responsibilities performed on this job.
  15. Is this a position with a good job outlook for the future? Is there room for promotion and job growth?
  16. Tell about a specific aspect of the job that you found interesting.

Date Due: March 19, 2012

STEP 12

LENGTH: ONE-HALF PAGE MINIMUM

Evaluate and summarize how you feel about your opportunity for success in your chosen career field based on your interest level, your character traits, your scholastic or technical abilities, and your course work. “This is the correct career choice for me because….”

RUBRIC-SENIOR PRESENTATION

Advanced (A)

  • Has a clear, attention-getting introduction which states career and why they selected their career
  • Demonstrates strong knowledge of career supported by many sources of research
  • Makes sufficient personal connection and explains many significant findings
  • Presents project in a well-planned, highly organized manner
  • Dressed professionally for presentation (No flip-flops, T-Shirts, Jeans, etc.)
  • Exceeds expectation by using appropriate language (descriptive, vivid word choices, grammar is correct)
  • Exceeds expectation by using body language to enhance the presentation (gestures, good posture, eye contact)
  • Speaks clearly and audibly (strong volume, pace, and pitch)
  • Visual aid is very neatly and professionally done
  • Visual aid is explained to enhance the understanding of the project
  • Visual aid captures the interest of the audience with visual information
  • Provides and insightful conclusion with reflective closing statements about the career

Proficient (B)

  • Has an introduction which states career and why they selected their career
  • Demonstrates knowledge of career supported by some research
  • Makes a general personal connection to the career with some significant findings
  • Presents project with organization
  • Dressed professionally for presentation (No flip-flops, T-Shirts, Jeans, etc.)
  • Meets expectation by using appropriate language (using correct grammar most of the time and some descriptive word choices)
  • Meets expectation by using body language to enhance the presentation (some gestures, posture, eye contact)
  • Speaks clearly most of the time (good volume, pace, and pitch)
  • Visual aid is neat and free from errors
  • Visual aid enhances and connects to the career
  • Visual aid interests and audience
  • Provides a conclusion with general closing statements about the career

Basic (C)