MS career research

Career Research provides members with the opportunity to present their research on a career that appeals to them. This competitive event consists of a presentation component.

Event Overview

Division: Middle School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Presentation
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up time, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Technology

Items Provided by Competitors: Technology and presentation items, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Equipment Provided by FBLA: Table

District

Check with your District Leader for district-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by the District Director) of the current school year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
·         If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event has two parts: preliminary presentation and final presentation

·         Presentation Information

o   Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o   Internet Access: Not provided

o   Competitors identify a career of interest and conduct research for the presentation. The presentation must include, but is not limited to, the following:

§  Career interest survey
§  General description of selected career
§  Education, certifications and training needed (include plans for high school courses to take)
§  Career outlook and advancement opportunities
§  Average starting salary and benefits
§  A description of a “typical” day in the life of a person in that career

o   The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations may be open to conference attendees if space permits.
o   Competitors are randomly assigned to sections.
o   Competitors present directly from a laptop/device. Screens and projectors are not allowed for use, and competitors are not allowed to bring their own. Power will not be available.
o   Competitors can present with and bring any of the following technology into the presentation as long as it fits on a small table or is held by the competitors:

§  Laptop
§  Tablet
§  Mobile phone
§  External monitor that is approximately the size of a laptop monitor

o   Wireless slide advancers (such as a presentation clicker or mouse) are allowed.
o   External speakers are not allowed. Only device audio can be used.

o   Materials, visual aids, and samples related to the project may be used during the presentation; however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.
o Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation)
o   When the equipment set-up time has elapsed, the timer will automatically start the presentation time.
o   Facts and data must be cited and secured from quality sources.

·         Final Presentation

o   The above presentation guidelines will be in effect for the final presentation.

o   An equal number of competitors from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round. If there are no more than 15 entries, the final round may be eliminated.

Scoring

·         The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
·         The final presentation score will determine the winners.
·         Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

National

Be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/