Career Scavenger Hunt – Career Research Worksheet Adventure
How do you get students to take career research seriously—without putting them to sleep?
This Career Scavenger Hunt turns a standard career research worksheet into a mini adventure. Using a simple, printable jungle-themed map, students explore different aspects of a career path—like education, salary, and next steps—one stop at a time.
The map adds just enough color and structure to make it feel fresh, without overwhelming students who need a clear, focused format.
Whether you're supporting neurotypical students, English learners, or students with mild-to-moderate disabilities, this career research worksheet brings postsecondary planning to life in a flexible, hands-on format.
Two Formats for Student Choice
Let students choose their path—both options cover the same content! My 9th and 10th graders tend to go for the map. My older students? They typically prefer the worksheet. The beauty is—it doesn’t matter. Both versions get them thinking critically about their future.
Jungle Adventure Map
A colorful visual layout where students "journey" through the jungle, uncovering career details at each stop (available in color + grayscale).
Career Research Worksheet
A straightforward version for students who prefer simplicity or get overwhelmed by visuals (print + digital options included).
Why You’ll Love This Career Scavenger Hunt
❤️ Hands-On, Real-World Learning: Students research everything from education requirements to networking opportunities, building skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.
❤️ Flexible & Inclusive: Great for general ed, special ed, adult ed, and ESL classrooms—especially for those tired of screen-based learning.
❤️ No Prep, No Problem: Includes a ready-to-use presentation to introduce the activity, plus sample responses to help guide students who need support.
❤️ Relatable & Fun: Inspired by adventure movies and video games, the map format taps into student curiosity and makes even reluctant learners want to engage.
What’s Included
Jungle Career Scavenger Hunt Map (color + grayscale)
Career Research Worksheet (print + digital)
Student Instructions
Intro Presentation (Google Slides + PPT)
Sample Student Responses
How It Works
Students choose a career that interests them and then research:
Required education, skills, and certifications
Salary range, job outlook, and advancement paths
Professional organizations and networking opportunities
Real-world first steps like job shadowing or part-time work
As they “travel” through the jungle or complete the worksheet, they gather insights and build a personal career roadmap.
Classroom Implementation Ideas
Use it during:
Career Week or transition planning
Study skills, advisory, or support classes
Substitute days or self-paced assignments
Counseling workshops or postsecondary readiness events
Fits easily into a single class period—but you can also have students return to it later to deepen their ideas when they have free time.
Common Questions
“Is this too young for high school students?”
Not at all. The map format is engaging, not childish. And older students can opt for the cleaner worksheet version.
“Will my struggling readers be able to complete it?”
Yes. Clear prompts, scaffolded sections, and sample responses make it accessible for a wide range of learners.
“How much prep is involved?”
Just print and go—or open the Google Slides and hit present.
Want More Like This?
This resource is part of a growing adventure series for real-world readiness. If your students love this jungle-themed activity…
🏝️ Try the Housing Scavenger Hunt (on a tropical island)
📚 Explore the Postsecondary Education Scavenger Hunt (set in the tundra — and it’s free!)
💰 Coming soon: Financial Literacy and Independent Living Scavenger Hunts!
You can grab the full Career Scavenger Hunt now or preview it first to see if it's a fit for your classroom.
Because every student deserves to explore their future—with curiosity, confidence, and maybe even a little adventure.
P.S. This scavenger hunt is part of a growing series! Collect them all!
