Career Outlook Horoscope Chart Approximate Time Needed: 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours Lesson Summary: Students will compare the career growth outlook at a national and state level, create a data table, and present the results in a graph format. Lesson Objective: Students will gain a practical understanding of percentages in terms of career growth and learn how to apply this information to the creation of attractive and easy-to-read graphs. Materials and Resources: ECOS Career List ECOS Career Directory and Career Strategy tool. Helpful Hints: Divide students into groups in order to accommodate the number of computers available and the time available for class. Activities: Reinforce the concept of percentages to reflect change to the students. For example, if there are 100 teachers in 2000 and 150 teachers in 2001, the percent growth for teachers is 50%. Use the ECOS Career List to have students select a career on which they will calculate the career growth outlook information. You may wish to pre-select careers for the students to save time. Assign each student (or group) 1-2 U.S. states they will research as well. Students go to the Career Directory and locate the assigned career. After students save the career to the Locker, they should go to the Strategy button. From here a table of the career's national (US) job growth outlook will be displayed. Students record the data found in the cell. Ask students to use the select list to locate the individual states assigned to them. After clicking on the "Submit" button the specific state's job growth outlook information will be shown. Have students record the data. Students should place the collected data into a clearly marked table. Students graph the data comparing the national and state growth outlooks. Articulate the importance of properly labeled headings and axes. Be sure to mention how color and clarifying elements improve the presentation of the graph. Evaluation: The data table and final graph(s) produced. Possible Adaptations: Compare the job growth outlook information for 4-5 careers. State or national figures may or may not be included if this option is chosen. If used in a computer class, practice Excel graphing or PowerPoint presentation skills.