The Agriculture Career Matchmaker
This National FFA lesson plan, “The Agriculture Career Matchmaker,” introduces students to agriculture careers by casting them as career matchmakers who use the AgExplorer website to recommend careers based on four given client profiles. Students then evaluate the characteristics they personally value in a future career and interview a classmate to match them with a career. The resource includes a multi-part student worksheet (with profiles of Paige, Skyler, Nate, and Andie Ann), a self-assessment survey, a peer matchmaking activity, and an answer key.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Research and recommend agriculture careers based on given criteria.
- Evaluate what aspects of a future career are important to them.
- Time required
- 65 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
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- A copy of the “The Agriculture Career Matchmaker” worksheet for each student
- Student devices with internet access
- Resources/References
- Website: AgExplorer (2023), AgExplorer.FFA.org
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science: Identify and describe careers in the agriculture industry. English/Language Arts: Synthesize criteria for selecting a career and explain why they are important. Technology: Use career websites to aid in a job search.
- SAE and FFA Connections
- Next Gen Conferences; AgExplorer Website; Foundational SAE Connections: Career Exploration and Planning, Employability Skills for College and Career Readiness, Agricultural Literacy
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Information, Communications and Technology Literacy; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Worksheet
Student Activity Sheets_The Agriculture Career Matchmaker (PDF)
Student Activity Sheets_The Agriculture Career Matchmaker (DOCX)
Non-Designed_Student Activity Sheets_The Agriculture Career Matchmaker (DOCX)
Other
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
- CRP.10Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals. Career-ready individuals take personal ownership of their own educational and career goals, and they regularly act on a plan to attain these goals.
- CRP.11Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.05Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career pathways.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG5Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Pathways.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
FFA Precept
- FFA.CS-MCommunication: Effectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.CS-NDecision Making: Analyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
- FFA.PG-IProfessional Growth: Assume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-CVision: Visualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-EAwareness: Understand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-FContinuous Improvement: Accept responsibility for learning and personal growth.
NASDCTEc
- AGC09.02Select, research and examine critical aspects of career opportunities in one or more AFNR career pathways in order to gain an understanding of the breadth of occupations within this cluster.