MS career research
Career Research provides members with the opportunity to explore and present their findings on a career of personal interest. Members deliver a presentation highlighting key aspects of the chosen career, such as required education, job responsibilities, and future outlook.
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
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Career Ready Practice
NACE Competency Alignment: 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 the official FBLA housing block in the 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
Timing Structure
· Equipment Set-Up: 3 minutes
· Presentation: 7 minutes (a one-minute warning will be provided)
· Question & Answer (Q&A): 3 minutes
· Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
Venue & Format
· Presentations occur in-person at the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
· Competitors are randomly assigned to presentation sections.
· Presentations are closed to all audience and attendee observation.
Technology Guidelines
· Internet Access: Not provided
· Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
· If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.
· Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
· Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
· External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
· Electricity will not be available.
Non-Technology Items
· Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
· Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
· No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
Restricted Items
· Animals, except for authorized service animals.
· Food, which may be used for display only and may not be consumed by judges.
· Links and QR codes, which may be shown but may not be scanned or clicked by judges at any time.
Research
· Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
· Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
Event Specific Information
· Competitors identify a career of interest and conduct research for the presentation. The presentation must include, but is not limited to, the following:
o Career interest survey
o General description of selected career
o Education, certifications and training needed (include plans for high school courses to take)
o Career outlook and advancement opportunities
o Average starting salary and benefits
o A description of a “typical” day in the life of a person in that career
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
· 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.
o The final round may be open to an audience.
Scoring
· Preliminary round scores are used to determine which competitors advance to the final round from each section.
· Final round scores determine the final rankings and top award winners.
· Judges are responsible for breaking all ties in both preliminary and final rounds.
· All judging decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the StateLeadership Conference.
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
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/.