This programme and the associate activities could be used as the focus for a lesson at the beginning of post-16 education (but not exclusively) to illustrate the importance of finding accurate careers information and gaining real experience in the work place. It could also be used as part of the university applications process to introduce students to the points system and the necessity to visit higher education institutions and talk directly to admissions tutors.
Discussion questions for small groups or pairs:
Some or all of the following activities relate to specific clips from the programme. We regret that we cannot make these clips available on the website. Teachers and other users can access the programmes free of charge from the Channel 4 video on demand service, 4oD (PC only), or the programmes may be taped off air for use in the classroom (see TV listings for the current term's schedule). Please note that the clip times will vary on different viewing platforms and devices.
Download activity sheet for clips 1-4 [Word doc, 45KB]
Draw me a car!
Clip 1: 05.00 – 10.14
Getting real experience in the career area you are interested in is vital. What did Chetan learn from his visit to meet the car designers?
Complete the question sheet (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in pairs. Questions repeated below:
List three hard facts that Chetan learnt about car design as a job (what skills you need, what the job prospects are, salary, training etc)?
What did he learn about himself?
Why do you think Chetan is interested in car design?
Why is it important to talk to someone actually doing the job you are interested in?
Why does Ann think that car design is not the best option for Chetan? Do you agree or should he persevere? What would you do?
People skills
Clip 2: 11.28 – 16.45
Complete the question sheet (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in pairs. Questions repeated below:
What did Chetan learn by visiting the hospice?
Why is work experience so important?
What important fact did Ann tell Chetan about applying to medical school?
What does the fact that he hasn't had work experience in medicine suggest?
Studio engineering
Clip 3: 17.33 – 19.39
It's a really good idea to consider a range of jobs within the same 'job family', in case you can't do exactly the job you want but could do something similar. Chetan is advised to look at studio engineering as well as car design because it is in the same 'job family'. It is still dealing with cars and with design but there's less need for drawing skills and it will use his maths and science subjects. Also, there are lots more jobs available in engineering than in design!
Think of five jobs that you and your friends might like to do in the future. For each one list at least three other jobs that you think might be in the same job family (ie, have something in common). You could use the chart (included in the downloadable activity sheet).
A taste of university
Clip 4: 19.42 – 22.16
Complete the question sheet (included in the downloadable activity sheet) in pairs. Questions repeated below:
What are the advantages of visiting universities and talking to tutors?
List some questions that you could ask a university tutor about a particular course.
What do you think Chetan should choose to do: medicine, car design or studio engineering? Explain your opinion.
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Citizenship, PSHE and careers for 14-19s from 4Learning. Packed with interactive games and activities.
Index of Notes to support Channel 4 Learning programmes.
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