Career Research Template

AI-Integrated Career Pathways Investigation

Lesson 8: Future of Work | Evolve AI Institute | Grades 10-12

Research Instructions

Purpose: Investigate a specific career to understand its current state, how AI is transforming it, and what preparation you'll need. This research helps you make informed decisions about your future.

How to Complete:

Part 1: Understanding the Career Today

1. Career Overview and Daily Responsibilities

What does a professional in this field actually do day-to-day? Describe a typical workday including main tasks, who they interact with, and what problems they solve.

Research Tip: Look for "day in the life" articles, video interviews, or professional profiles on LinkedIn that show real work activities, not just job descriptions.

2. Required Education and Training

What formal education is typically required (high school diploma, associate's degree, bachelor's degree, graduate degree, certifications)? Are there alternative pathways like apprenticeships, bootcamps, or on-the-job training?

Important: Note any specific majors, programs, or institutions known for this field. Include typical timeline from high school to career entry.

3. Essential Skills and Qualifications

Beyond formal education, what skills are most important for success in this career? List both technical skills (software, tools, techniques) and soft skills (communication, leadership, creativity).

4. Compensation and Job Outlook

What is the typical salary range (entry-level vs. experienced)? Is this field growing, stable, or declining? What is the employment outlook for the next 5-10 years?

Data Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook provides reliable salary data and growth projections.

Part 2: AI Integration and Transformation

5. Current AI Applications in This Field

How is AI currently being used in this career? Name specific AI tools, systems, or technologies that professionals use today. Be as specific as possible.

Examples: Instead of "AI helps doctors," say "Radiologists use AI software like Aidoc or Zebra Medical Vision to detect anomalies in medical images 30% faster than human analysis alone."

6. Tasks Being Automated

What specific tasks or responsibilities are being automated or handled by AI? Be clear about what AI is taking over.

7. Tasks Remaining with Humans

What tasks or decisions still require human expertise, judgment, or creativity? Why can't AI handle these aspects (yet)?

8. How AI Augments (Enhances) Human Capabilities

Rather than replacing workers, how does AI make professionals in this field more effective? What new capabilities does AI enable?

Key Question: Does AI eliminate jobs, or does it eliminate tasks while creating new responsibilities? Most careers fall into the "augmentation" category.

9. Future Predictions (5-10 Years)

How do experts predict AI will further transform this career in the next 5-10 years? What new tools or capabilities might emerge? How might the role itself evolve?

10. AI Literacy Requirements

What level of AI understanding or technical skills are expected in this field? Do professionals need to understand how AI works, or just how to use AI tools effectively?

Part 3: Personal Fit and Career Planning

11. Alignment with Your Strengths

Looking back at your AI Skills Assessment, which of your strengths align well with this career? Be specific about how your skills match the requirements.

12. Skills You Need to Develop

What skills or knowledge do you currently lack for this career? What growth areas from your assessment are most important to address?

13. Pathway to Entry

What is a realistic pathway from where you are now (high school) to entering this career? Include key milestones: education, internships, entry-level positions, networking, etc.

Be Realistic: Break down the journey into achievable steps. For example: "Complete computer science degree (4 years) → Internship at tech company (summer after junior year) → Entry-level software developer position."

14. Real Professional Perspective

Find a quote, interview excerpt, or advice from someone actually working in this field. What insights do they share about their career and working with AI?

Where to Look: LinkedIn articles, YouTube career videos, company blogs, professional association interviews, or news articles featuring professionals in this field.

15. Your Interest Level and Next Steps

After this research, how interested are you in pursuing this career? (Rate 1-5 and explain why). What is ONE specific action you could take in the next month to explore this career further?

Critical Analysis

16. AI's Overall Impact on This Career

Based on your research, complete this analysis:

This career is primarily: (Check one and explain your reasoning)

AI-Creating: Focused on developing and maintaining AI systems

AI-Enhanced: Traditional work augmented by AI tools

AI-Adjacent: New role created because AI exists

AI-Independent: Largely unaffected by AI (rare)


Explanation of your classification:

17. The Irreplaceable Human Element

What makes human workers valuable in this career despite AI capabilities? What distinctly human skills or qualities cannot be automated?

18. Biggest Surprise or New Learning

What surprised you most in your research? What did you learn that you didn't know before? How has this research changed your understanding of this career?

Works Cited - Research Sources

Instructions: List at least 3-4 credible sources you used for this research. Include website name, article/page title, URL, and date accessed. Use proper citation format.

Recommended Research Resources

Career Information Databases:

Professional Networking and Insights:

AI and Technology Integration:

Video and Multimedia:

Teacher Assessment Notes

Research Quality (Depth, Specificity, Source Credibility):

Critical Thinking About AI's Role:

Personal Connection and Career Planning: