Newspapers Provide Career Skills Lessons

By Susan Kraul

The local newspaper is one resource that adult educators use consistently. With the increased emphasis on making education relevant to the real world of work, many newspapers have begun carrying informational pieces on specific careers. The Tallahassee Democrat is one local paper that features a specific career every Wednesday in a full-page format. Information on working conditions, job requirements, training, salary, and appropriate dress are discussed. A person working in the job is featured and talks about what it is like to work in that field. This is an excellent opportunity to expose students to a variety of career possibilities.

Most adult students are interested in learning more about particular jobs and possibly setting their goals to work towards such a career. Utilizing this aspect of the newspaper opens up a variety of possibilities for learning including:

• understanding the knowledge and skills required for a variety of careers of interest to the student

• comparing occupations based on entry-level requirements and benefits associated with employment

• discussing realistic career goals

• interpreting general work-related vocabulary

• demonstrating the ability to apply or transfer skills learned in one job situation to another

• recognizing job responsibilities

• listing probable stress factors of various jobs

• identifying common tools, equipment, machines, and materials required for one’s job

Not only is this format and content relevant for the adult student, it gives both the teacher, the volunteer general education aide, and the student a common ground for discussion. The subject matter is interesting and the opportunity is there for a written essay or a check of reading comprehension based on a real world job. Happy reading and best wishes for the possibility of a new career goal!