Career Crossroads

B Job/Career Choices2 What do YOU do when you come to a crossroad?

B Job/Career Choices3 What job or career choices will you make in your lifetime?

B Job/Career Choices4 Strategies for Personal Choices

B Job/Career Choices5 Individual Interests  Consider key questions when identifying interests  Use career interest inventories  Research careers in clusters based on inventory results  Match career paths with personal interests

B Job/Career Choices6 Personality  Identify personal qualities, values, and goals  Choose a career path to match personal qualities  Develop personal qualities that employers seek  Become involved in informal experiences in which qualities for success are learned

B Job/Career Choices7 Personal Priorities & Goals  Analyze ideals and principles that are important to you  Identify types of work that would make you feel you are making a difference  Identify types of work where you have developed skills  Identify specific achievements you want to realize  Find work that is enjoyable and challenging

B Job/Career Choices8 Strategies for Education Choices

B Job/Career Choices9 Invest in Your “Human Capital” “Human capital” = the complete set of skills that a person has acquired

B Job/Career Choices10 An investment in your “human capital” can increase productivity and increase earnings...

B Job/Career Choices11 Community College, College & University Programs  Begin planning early for college  Choose a school that satisfies your goals and reasons for going to college  Decide on the size of school in which you would be most successful  Decide how close to home you would like to be  Investigate options for online courses  Consider costs  Consider your high school record and performance  Compare available college/university choices

B Job/Career Choices12 Occupational Training Programs  Specialize in a specific field of employment  Consider occupational training programs that match your talents, skills, and interests  Evaluate carefully the quality and content of any program before enrolling

B Job/Career Choices13 Other Learning Opportunities  Investigate internships and apprenticeships  Find out about military programs  Take advantage of opportunities for continuing education

B Job/Career Choices14 Strategies for Job and Career Choices

B Job/Career Choices15 Job or Career?

B Job/Career Choices16 Job OR Career? Does anyone see a JOB anywhere? Is there a CAREER in sight?

B Job/Career Choices17 Job AND Career I love my job as a taxi driver. It’s been a good source of extra income since I retired. And, it gets me out of the house! Thanks for getting me to the hospital on time. I have to assist in surgery at 9:00.

B Job/Career Choices18 Job or Career? Part 1 Work FactorsJOBCAREER Earnings Wages – Hourly paySalary- Set amount per pay period Income level Entry-to-low-or mid range incomes Higher levels of income and benefits Length of commitment Usually short-term, although can be longer Long-term commitment- --years or a lifetime Purpose Work to earn incomeContribute to a profession or life’s work

B Job/Career Choices19 Job or Career? Part 2 Work FactorsJOBCAREER Type of training Initial training required, additional as needed Continual training required Work schedule Hours are set each week One works until task are completed Extra work time Hours over 40 hours per week earn overtime No overtime for extra hours worked Opportunities to advance Generally optionalGenerally expected

B Job/Career Choices20 Job or Career? Let’s share our findings!

B Job/Career Choices21 Work Strategies- Jobs & Careers  Select jobs for short-term purposes  Plan a career for the long term  Use jobs to supplement income when needed  Use jobs as stepping-stones to careers  Think of a career as a lifetime investment

B Job/Career Choices22 What are some of the crossroads you will come to as you plan your career?

Remember to consider all of these factors when you reach each Career Crossroad.