BUSINESS REPORT ASSIGNMENT
You will be doing research on your career aspiration.
BUSINESS REPORT ASSIGNMENT
You will be doing research on your career aspiration. What is the Outlook for Accountants?, What is the
Outlook for Computer Programmers? etc.
This report will be based off of the Work Plan assignment that you completed earlier this term.
You will write this report based on primary research (an interview you will conduct with someone who is
working or has worked in the field you plan on going into). The report will also include secondary
sources (three or more) which can be Internet articles, books, magazines etc. I have attached some
questions you could utilize when conducting your interview. You should ask a minimum of ten questions
(I have provided nine questions). You can change or modify the questions, as I want this report to be
beneficial to you. This interview can be conducted in‐person, on the phone or via e‐mail.
The body of the report (three main sections of job opportunities, education and expectations, otherwise
known as advantages and disadvantages) will not be based on your opinion. It will be based off of
primary and secondary research. So, in the three main sections, you should not use terms such as, “I”,
“me”, “my”, “you” and your”. You can use those terms in the introduction (to tell your story) and
conclusion (what you plan to do based upon the research). The main text of the report should be five to
ten double‐spaced pages and should include MLA citations.
I have included two attachments that might be helpful as we go over this assignment. The first is the
business report sample. The other document is labeled business report structure.
The first page of the report is a Title Fly. All that appears on this page is the title of your report, a picture
that represents the title and the source of where your picture comes from. This page does not receive a
page number.
The next page is called a Title Page. This page lists, the title of the report, prepared for me, prepared by
you and the date the assignment is due. This page does not receive a page number.
Next is the memo of transmittal. In the heading it is to me, from you, subject is the title of the report
and the date is the date the assignment is due. The memo has four short paragraphs. The first paragraph
thanks me for the assignment. The second and third paragraphs tell me something that you have
learned from completing the research. The last paragraph provides contact information in case I have
questions. This page does not receive a page number.
Next is the table of contents, this lists all of the headings and subheadings that appear in the paper
including your graph. The dots should go all the way across and the page numbers should all line up
correctly. Notice that this is the first page that has a page number, roman numeral three. Your best
option is to create your table of contents through Word.
The next page is called an executive summary. This is considered a one‐page mini version of the report.
If I did not want to read your entire report, but only wanted to read one page, this should be a one‐page
snapshot of the report. This should give the reader a brief summary of findings, conclusions and/or
recommendations. This is the only page that is single spaced and should include at least both one
primary and one secondary citation. This page should be labeled roman numeral four.
Next is the main text of the report. Standard page numbering begins on this page and continues
throughout the report. Notice, all of the words in main headings are capitalized. All of the subheadings,
the first letter of each word is capitalized. The body of the report must be a blended discussion of both
primary and secondary findings. Each section of the body (job opportunities, education and
expectations) must include citations (primary and secondary) In the introduction, I would like you to tell
your story as to how you became interested in this field. Your textbook discusses purpose, scope and
limitations along with report organization. You can use the exact verbiage from the sample report.
For sources and methods, you should indicate who you interviewed for your report (name, company and
title) along with the secondary sources utilized.
Next, you can discuss job opportunities. If I go into this field, what type of job titles and opportunities
would I be qualified for. Remember this is not your opinion, it should be based on primary and
secondary information. Notice that the citation appears at the end of the thought. Under job
opportunities, you should discuss at least three different job titles. Notice in this section a graph also is
included (based on your interview) that discusses what a typical day looks like for a person in this career.
It should also include associated percentages and a source line. The graph should be discussed prior to it
appearing in the paper.
The next main part of the text can be labeled Education (or Degree/Certifications).
This section can discuss what type of education, degrees and/or certifications are required for the field.
Remember, this is all based on primary and secondary information. Subheadings could include colleges,
tuition costs, the amount of time and credits it will take, along with any other further education that
might be required.
The next main part of the text is expectations or advantages and disadvantages of working in this field
based on the interview you conducted (primary research) and secondary information you collected
online. Make sure to include both primary and secondary citations.
The next section, is the conclusion. This can be your opinion based on the primary and secondary
research. Now that you have conducted this research, what will you do with it? Will you still pursue this
career or look at exploring other options or are you still undecided?
Next is your Works Cited page. This should be in MLA style and format. A minimum of four entries are
required. One primary source (interview) and three secondary sources. Word has an MLA generator to
assist with the Works Cited page. There are also several other MLA Works Cited generators that can be
found online.
Next is the appendix. This starts off with a cover page indicating the name, title and company of the
person you interviewed along with the date that the interview occurred.
The next page will be a copy of the ten questions that were asked during the interview.
The next page or pages will be the question along with the associated answer.
Attached is the grading sheet for the business report. Once your report is completed, look over the
grading sheet as if you were grading the report. This is a good way to check that you are not missing any
information. At the end of your report on a separate page, based on the grading sheet indicate how
many points you feel that you have earned on the report. Remember, it is the score that I give the
assignment is the one that counts.
