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Careers in Computing

Twelfth graders explore where a computing background can lead — software development, data science, UX design, cybersecurity, IT support, and far beyond. Computing skills open doors in nearly every industry. They match roles to what they do, then map a path toward one that interests them.

Grade 12Careers in Computing55 minutes1 class periodCSTA / ISTEExplicit teaching4 StandardsCSTA
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Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Name computing careers.
  • ✓Match roles to work.
  • ✓See many paths.
  • ✓Map your interest.
Essential Question

Where can computing skills take you after high school?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Match It · Interactive

Match the Computing Role

Project this and match each role to what they do — tap the role, then tap the work.

💼 Match each computing role to what they doTry it
Role
What they do
Now tap the work!
The Lesson · Explicit teaching

55 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Hook — So Many Paths

6 min

Which job uses computing: a nurse, a filmmaker, a farmer... or all three?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pose the question.
  • Share ideas.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Think.
  • Share.
  • Get ready.
2

Use — Computing Careers

13 min

Students learn.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send students to Match the Computing Role.
  • Match each one.
  • Note computing is everywhere.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Match.
  • Say.
  • Note it.
3

Modify — Explore It

14 min

Students practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a role that interests you.
  • Say what they do daily.
  • Name a skill it needs.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name.
  • Say.
  • Name.
4

Create — Map It

15 min

Students apply.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pick a computing career.
  • List skills to build.
  • Name a next step (course/project).

🎒 Student Actions

  • Pick.
  • List.
  • Name.
5

Reflect — Reflect

7 min

Students close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Name a computing role.
  • Say what one does.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Name one.
  • Say it.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and the ISTE Standards for Students.

CSTA
3B-IC-25

Explore computing’s role across fields.

CSTA
3A-IC-24

Connect computing skills to opportunities.

ISTE
1c

Use technology to pursue personal goals.

ISTE
7a

Explore local and global career pathways.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Role/work cards.
  • Frame: "a ___ does ___."
  • Use pictures of roles.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Match one pair at a time.
  • Use 3 roles.
  • Use visuals.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Research a day in one role.
  • Map education paths.
  • Interview someone in tech.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • 💼Career cards
  • 💻Match the Computing Role
  • 🗺️Pathway planner
  • 📓Notebooks
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

software developerbuilds programsdata scientistfinds insights in dataUX designerdesigns user experiencecybersecurity analystdefends systemsIT supporthelps with tech issuespathwaya route to a careerskillan ability you buildinterdisciplinaryacross many fields
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What does a software developer do?
Designs and writes programs.
QUESTION 2
What does a cybersecurity analyst do?
Protects systems from attacks.
QUESTION 3
Where can computing skills be used?
In nearly every industry.

Reflect: careers in computing.

Have students pick a computing career and name a next step toward it. A printable pathway planner is in the CS library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Careers in ComputingFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
0

Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Careers in ComputingQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
0%

Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Careers in ComputingPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: cybersecurity analyst, data scientist, interdisciplinary, IT support, pathway, skill, software developer, UX designer
  1. an ability you build
  2. defends systems
  3. builds programs
  4. finds insights in data
  5. helps with tech issues
  6. designs user experience
  7. across many fields
  8. a route to a career

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does a software developer do?
  2. What does a cybersecurity analyst do?
  3. Where can computing skills be used?
Answer key — Part A: 1) skill · 2) cybersecurity analyst · 3) software developer · 4) data scientist · 5) IT support · 6) UX designer · 7) interdisciplinary · 8) pathway
Part B: 1) Designs and writes programs. 2) Protects systems from attacks. 3) In nearly every industry.