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Nonprofit and Profit Careers

Lesson 1:

From Unit Exploring Nonprofit Careers

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Math, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Interview; Letter Writing; Research
MAT:	Data Collection/Organization
PHIL:	Career Opportunities; For-Profit; Nonprofit
SOC:	Capital Equipment; Four Economic Sectors; Goods and Services; Human Capital; Natural Resources

Purpose:

To define profit and nonprofit organizations and explore the variety of careers available within those sectors. Students will prepare questions and then interview individuals involved with those careers.

Duration:

Three One-Hour Class Periods

Objectives:

The learner will:

brainstorm ideas and conduct Internet research to create a list of careers in the nonprofit and profit sectors.
based on knowledge of state resources, decide which careers are most logical in his/her state.
identify family members and acquaintances involved with the identified careers.
prepare a set of research questions to explore identified careers.
interview panel members about their careers and gather information about careers in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Materials:

Chart paper
Internet access
Careers (Attachment One)

Handout 1: Careers

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Show students a variety of tools used by workers in profit and nonprofit organizations (i.e. wrench, book, violin, stethoscope, baseball) and challenge them to name the for-profit and not-for-profit careers associated with the objects.

Explain the difference between profit and not-for-profit. Define the different sectors: business, family, nonprofit, and government.
Brainstorm on a chart several examples of profit and nonprofit organizations/careers. Explore the Learning to Give and Guidestar Web sites for many examples. See Bibliographical References below.
Ask students to make lists of acquaintances or local people employed in the brainstormed careers that you can use as a contact list.
Contact four persons to form a panel comprised of two people employed in for-profit organizations (e.g., lawyer, repair person, hair stylist, business owner) and two from nonprofit organizations (e.g., teen center director, minister, teacher, doctor, city planner).
Have students prepare a list of questions to ask the panel to explore the identified jobs and advantages and disadvantages to working in the different sectors. They should conduct some research on the history of the occupations, descriptions, functions, and training required.
Discuss the difference between natural resources, human capital, and capital equipment in the production of a good or service.
On the day of the panel discussion, students ask their prepared questions and listen to the questions and answers of others. They will use their knowledge throughout the unit, so encourage note-taking and careful listening to all questions and answers. (Remind students how to be gracious hosts.)

Assessment:

Each student will write a thank-you note to one of the presenters. In the letters, the students will identify whether the person represented the profit or nonprofit sector and detail some specific facts and observations they learned about the career. The letters should make the guests feel that their time was well spent.

School/Home Connection:

Some family members or acquaintances may be contacted to be panel members. See Extension for further homework.

Extension:

Make a graph of the careers using the interview form. Classify the careers by whether they work in a for-profit organization or nonprofit organization. This activity will require that students have the homework the evening before they are to ask an adult about their careers (see Attachment One: Careers).

Bibliographical References:

Learning to Give Home Page: <www.learningtogive.org>. Go to the Resource Room and select “Career Information, Careers in the Nonprofit Sector,” (June 14, 2002).
Guidestar Home Page, The National Database of Nonprofit Organizations: http://www.guidestar.org/index.jsp (June 14, 2002).

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Nancy Wolff
Watervliet Public Schools
North Elementary School
Watervliet, MI 49098

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Careers

Interview an adult about their career. Use the following questions to get a conversation started, but add your own questions. Use additional sheets of paper, if necessary.

Name of adult

Current employment

Is the job part of a nonprofit organization?

What is the goal of the organization?

What training was required to obtain this position?

Does the business provide a good or a service?

Does the business require human capital, capital equipment, or a natural resource (or a combination)?

What is the most enjoyable part of the job?

What is the least enjoyable part of the job?

What personal interests led you to this type of work?

What advice do you have for young people about choosing a career?

Academic Standards:

State:

Philanthropy Framework:

Unit Contents:

Overview:Exploring Nonprofit Careers Summary

Lessons:

1.: Nonprofit and Profit Careers
2.: Researching Careers
3.: Designing the Careers Show
4.: In Production
5.: Showtime! Profit or Non