Free Career Interest Assessment Activity
Help Your Students Discover Career Paths That Fit Them
Did you know that 75% of high school graduates say they feel unprepared to make decisions about their college and career plans? Career exploration can change that, and this free, no-prep activity makes it easy to get started.
In this guided resource, students complete an interest assessment using the trusted CareerOneStop tool (used with permission), helping them connect their personal interests to real-world careers. Whether you’re supporting IEP transition planning or just looking for a meaningful class time filler, this activity sparks self-awareness and future-focused thinking.
What’s Inside:
Google Slides with speaker notes and clickable links – ready to project, no extra prep required
Student-friendly instructions – easy to follow for individual or class-wide use
Printable & digital response sheets – flexible for any teaching format
Sample student response – use it as an example, model, or informal answer key
🧠 How to Use This in Your Classroom:
Start your career unit with a high-interest, low-pressure activity
Use as a springboard to SMART goal setting, resume writing, or college planning
Works great in advisory, study skills, transition, or special education classes
A solid option for early-year IEP or ITP discussions
Add it to your sub folder for a meaningful backup plan
Teacher Tip:
“I’ve found that students can feel a little overwhelmed by the CareerOneStop site at first, but it’s such a valuable resource with a wealth of information that I always encourage giving them time to explore. I recommend walking through a sample search or two together, showing how to filter results and where to find tools like career spotlight videos, then letting them explore independently.”
You’ve Got Options!
This free activity is an excerpt from the full lesson:
⭐️ Job Searching – Career Exploration, Job Hunting Skills, & Avoiding Scams
Students dive deeper into job boards, career options, and scam avoidance in the complete version.
