Careers in Mining

Title: Careers in Mining
Level: Middle School
Time: 30 minutes
KERA Goals: 2.36; Goal 3; Goal 4

Objective:
This activity helps students think about the types of careers they might be best suited for.

Background Information:
1. There are many different careers and fields that the students can go into.

2. When they choose a career, they should look for one that will complement their skills and be something they enjoy doing.

Today's society faces complex problems. The population is increasing, and our natural resources are decreasing. We all need to work together to manage those resources wisely. In the 90's and beyond, more scientists and engineers will be called upon to find the answers to protecting Earth's mineral resource. The need for trained scientists and engineers is expected to increase greatly...especially in the mining industry, which supplies the world's mineral products. Ask the students if they'd be interested in a mining career, then try the activity to see which jobs might suit them best.

Activity: Whistle While You Work

Materials:
Whistle While You Work Student Handout

1. After completing some of the lessons of Common Ground, the class has learned a little bit about mining. There are many different types of careers in mining, and this activity helps students think about the types of careers they might be best suited for.

2. Copy and distribute the Whistle While You Work handout, and have students rank the activities from 1 to 10, with 1 being what they enjoy doing most.

3. After the students have completed ranking the activities, have them look at the ones they ranked highest (1, 2, and 3) and tell them which mining careers might be suitable to their likes.

Those who ranked Collect and Identify Rocks highly might like being Geologists.

If they like Making Maps & Drawings, they could become Industrial Designers.

Solving Puzzles & Problems is an ability needed by Mining Engineers.

If they're good at Organizing Group Activities, they could become good Plant Managers.

Woods, Plants, & Animals are managed by Environmental Engineers and Wildlife Managers.

Writing, Talking on the phone are among the daily activities of Public Relations and Marketing Professionals.

Students that are good at Computer Games might enjoy careers in Data Processing.

Big Trucks & Machinery are operated by Miners.

Plants need people who are good at Working With Tools to be Plant Workers.

Those who have a knack for Selling Things might enjoy being Sales Representatives.

Careers in Mining: Whistle While You Work Worksheet

You might not know what career you want, but you know what you like to do. In mining, there are many different careers, just as there are in other industries. You have many choices for your future career, so try to find something to do that you enjoy. Then you'll really feel like whistling while you work!

Rank the following activities from 1 to 10, with 1 being what you enjoy most.

Collecting & Identifying Rocks _____

Making Maps & Drawings _____

Solving Puzzles & Problems _____

Organizing Group Activities _____

Woods, Plants & Animals _____

Writing, Talking on the Phone _____

Computer Games _____

Big Trucks & Machinery _____

Working With Tools _____

Selling Things_____

Provided by Caterpillar, Inc.