Pathway Choices

Activity 1: Work in pairs

A career path is a journey that leads to attaining knowledge, skills, values and positive attitude that prepares one for work (a specific job or career) after completing school. The following illustration summarises a career path. Study it and answer the questions that follow.

1. Which subjects did you enjoy the most in lower primary?
2. Did your interests and favourite subjects change as you moved from lower primary to upper primary? Explain your response.
3. What are your favourite subjects now? How do they relate to your future career goals?

Activity 4: Work in groups

1. Your teacher will invite a resource person to discuss factors to consider in the selection of a career pathway.
2. Write down key points.
3. Engage in the discussion by asking questions to enhance your understanding. You may ask the following questions:
   1. How can I determine if a career aligns with my talents, abilities, interests and passions?
   2. What steps can I take now to prepare for my chosen career pathway?
   3. What advice would you give to someone who is undecided between two career pathways?

Notes Corner

The following are factors to consider when selecting a career pathway:

• Talents, interests and passions: Think about the activities that you are really good at and enjoy doing. Choose a career pathway that aligns with the activities.
• Skills and abilities: Consider the skills and abilities you have developed. Evaluate how your skills and abilities align with the requirements of different career pathways.
• Personal fulfillment: Choosing a career pathway that aligns with your personal values and interests can lead to satisfaction. Think about what matters most to you such as creativity, helping others or innovation.
• Academic strengths: Reflect on the subjects you enjoy or excel in. Some careers may require you to be good at certain subjects, therefore, this can help you figure out what might be a good fit.

Activity 6: Class activity

Your teacher will invite a resource person to discuss the requirements for Social Sciences pathway in senior school.

1. Listen keenly and write down notes.
2. Using the information obtained from the resource person, answer the questions that follow:
   1. Which career opportunities can stem from pursuing the Social Sciences pathway in senior school?
   2. Which skills are essential for success in Social Sciences careers?
   3. How can you develop the skills you listed in question 2(b) during your studies in the Social Sciences pathway?
3. Create and draw charts on the requirements for the Social Sciences pathway in senior school.
4. Display your posters in class.

Activity 7: Work individually

Study the chart below. Answer the questions that follow.

1. Which career pathway would you like to pursue? Explain your response.
2. Which track within the career pathway you chose in question 1, would you like to pursue in senior school? Explain your reasons.
3. Share any of your talents, abilities, passions or interests that align with the track that you chose in question 2.
4. Share your work with your classmates.

Activity 8: Work in groups

Read Mukwhana’s journal entry.

1. Why did Mukhwana choose the Sports Sciences track?
2. What have you learnt from Mukhwana's journal entry?
3. Select your track from any of the pathways and mention the subjects you will pursue.
4. Mention careers you can pursue after studying the pathway you chose in question 3.

Activity 9: Work individually

1. Journal about the track you chose to pursue in senior school. Your journal entry should include the following information:
   1. What inspired you to choose this particular track?
   2. How will the career track help you to achieve your career goals?
   3. What aspects of this track excite you the most?
   4. How do your talents and interests align with the track?
   5. How do you hope to grow and develop personally and academically through this track?
2. Share your journal entry with your friend.

Activity 10: Work individually

1. Create a vision board that represents your career goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them.
2. Cut out images, quotes or words from the magazines or newspapers that represent your career goals. You may also write the quotes, draw or print and download pictures to add to your vision board.
3. Think big when creating the vision board, do not limit yourself.
4. Present your vision board to the class. Explain the images and words you chose and how they represent your career goals.

Activity 12: Work in pairs

Recite the following poem.

Each choice we make, a step we take,
In choosing pathways, our futures awake,
STEM, where science sparks the light,
Social Sciences brings understanding to light.

Arts, where creativity takes flight,
Sports Science, where athletes ignite,
Choose your path, let dreams take hold,
In Senior School, where paths unfold.

1. ​​​​​​Compose a poem on pathway choices.
2. Recite the poem during school events.

Notes Corner

It is important to learn about career pathways because:

• Knowledge of career pathways empowers us to make informed decisions about our future careers.
• Learning about career pathways enables us to prepare ourselves for the requirements and demands of our chosen fields, whether through education, training or gaining relevant skills and experience.
• Understanding different career pathways helps us to identify our interests, strengths and aspirations. This provides direction on the career to pursue in future.

The following are importance of choosing a possible track within a pathway:

• It helps us to focus on the subjects we are interested in.
• By choosing a track that aligns with our interests, talents and career goals, we can ensure that our education remains relevant and meaningful to our future career dreams.
• Choosing a specific track within a pathway allows us to tailor our education to meet the requirements and demands of the chosen field or profession.