The MegaMall

A Career Exploration

WebQuest for Secondary Students

by
Maria M. Chapman

Introduction| Task| Process| Resources| Evaluation| Conclusion


Introduction

        A new mall is being built within five miles of our school.  It is described as a "fully enclosed, market dominant retail and entertainment destination...At approximately 1.4 million square feet gross leasable area, the mall will feature a combination of 15 to 18 anchor tenants and 200+ specialty stores. It is expected to provide the equivalent of approximately 3,500 full and part-time positions, with an estimated annual payroll of $61 million" (The Mills Corporation). The new management  has asked our school to organize a job fair to recruit potential employees.


 

The Task

    In order to organize the job fair, which will be open to the public, the Career Connection facilitator and guidance counselors have asked your class to research the types of jobs that will be available.  Once the research has been completed then you are to present your information at the job fair creatively in order to persuade the public to apply for an interview. Additionally you are to provide brochures as a handout describing the essential information regarding the various jobs that will be available.


The Process
I.      Before researching a particular job, the following questions should be answered: (see Resources)

    Once this is determined you will see that the jobs will fall into one of  the following  job clusters: II.    For the job fair, you may work with others who are investigating the same job cluster to make a creative presentation; however, each student will be responsible for researching one particular job that will be made into a brochure.
  1. Determine who will be researching the same job cluster (no more than five students in a group)
  2. Determine who will be researching a particular job in that cluster (no duplication)
  3. Research your particular job (see Resources)
  4. Create your brochure
  5. Discuss how you wish to present your information at the job fair as a group
  6. Submit a sketch of your information booth the way your wish it to be set up for the job fair
        Your brochure should be attractively done and include the following essential information:
 
        • the job description
        • the skills required
        • the training and education needed
        • working conditions
        • the job outlook
        • earnings
        • a list of potential mall employers
 
      Some suggestions for your presentation, which should include some information from your brochure:
 
        • a commercial
        • a Powerpoint presentation
        • interviews
        • anything creative
 

Resources

Online Resources

America's Job Bank
Presents employment status by State.
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/

ExPan.  Online database on colleges and careers.

The Mills Corporation
Builders of megamalls, such as Potomac Mills and Sawgrass Mills.
http://www.millscorp.com/

Occupational Outlook Handbook
A nationally recognized source of career information. It describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/oco1000.htm

Welcome to Potomac Mills
The new megamall will be similar to this megamall in Virginia.
http://www.potomac-mills.com/

 

Print Resources

Career Discovery Encyclopedia. A six volume career exploration reference arranged alphabetically.

Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance.  Chicago: J.G. Ferguson, 1997

 “The Mall, the Merrier" Time.   November 24, 1997. This article describes how a mall has become more of an entertainment center.

The VGM series of books on occupations (see card catalog). There are over 100 books in this series describing various occupations.
 


Evaluation
    A rubric will be given to you based on the following criteria:

Group work--

  1. effective research is evident
  2. effective synthesis of information
  3. uses technology effectively to enhance the presentation of information
  4. clear communication of concept
  5. identifies several reasons why a person should pursue this career
  6. all materials are attractive, organized and engaging
Individual brochure-- Reflections

    A reflection sheet would be given to you at the end of each class session. This would apply toward your attendance/participation grade.  The purpose of these daily reflections is to gauge any problems that may occur and as a tool for improving this process in the future.


Conclusion

After completing this project, did you discover a career that you would like to pursue?
Why would you apply for this position?
How can local resources, such as this megamall, influence your career choices and lifestyle?
 
 
 


 

Go to Top of Page
  Updated June 2004

Send questions or comments to M. Chapman