English 19B Modified Research Paper Assignment with Resources
Overview: Write a research paper explaining the details of a career you are considering after high school along with an educational plan to obtain that career.
Choose a career you are considering after high school. Then research the career along with an educational plan to obtain that career. You must choose a career that can be found in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Please note: “One-in-a-million” jobs – YouTuber, influencer, professional athletes, podcaster, etc. – will NOT be accepted as career choices unless you are already well on your way to becoming successful in these fields. If you choose to write about one of these types of careers, you must meet with your teacher and get approval. Any papers submitted for these types of careers without approval will only receive up to 50% credit.
Outline for your research paper and how to organize your paper:
1st Paragraph – Introduction:
Hook –
Bridge –
Thesis –
2nd Paragraph – Body Paragraph 1: History of Career and Job Outlook
Topic sentence –
History –
Job Outlook – include citation from Occupational Outlook Handbook
Is this career expected to increase or decrease?
Where are jobs in this field found?
Will it be difficult to find employment in this field?
Transition –
3rd Paragraph – Body Paragraph 2: Daily Duties and Earnings/Benefits
Topic sentence –
Daily duties –
What does “a day in the life” look like?
How many hours will you be required to work a week?
Will you have a set or flexible schedule?
Earnings/Benefits –
How much, on average, does someone in this field make?
Will you be paid hourly or have a salary?
Will you get benefits
Transition –
4th Paragraph – Required Education/Training and Cost of Training
Topic Sentence –
What specific training or education will you need to be successful in your field?
How much will your training or education cost?
Will you have to pay out of pocket for training/education? Will your employer pay for it or reimburse you?
In addition to required training, what personal qualities does someone in your field need to have?
Transition –
5th Paragraph – Conclusion:
Restatement of thesis in new words –
Explanation of why this is or isn’t the right career for you –
Concluding statement –
Helpful websites:
Bureau of Labor Statistics-Occupational Outlook Handbook-Required source!
Big Future-Explore careers and find colleges
You Visit-go on a virtual tour of different colleges
Purdue Owl-MLA formatting answers
***Final Draft is due Wednesday, March 8th
Research Paper Rubric: Click HERE
Final Research Paper Requirements
Length-5 paragraphs ( should be at least 5-9 well-developed sentences)
Sources-3 sources (One of the sources must be the Bureau of Labor Statistics-Occupational Outlook Handbook)
MLA format (heading, header, double-spacing, font, margins)
Framing quotes and in-text citations
Transitions, organization, and flow
Works Cited page (minimum 3 sources written in MLA)
