W HAT ’ S IN Y OUR F UTURE ? Career Exploration for 7/8 th Grade Students Presented by: Angelique Strausheim: Project Success Counselor & Donna Lack: Middle School Counselor

W HAT P ATH W ILL Y OU T AKE ? Middle School  High School  Vocational School  Community College  4 year College  Graduate School…

M IDDLE S CHOOL - Now is the time to start to understand the relationship between success in school and your future success in the world of work. What are your career interests? What do you like to do? What are your hobbies? What are your favorite subjects at school? What is your personality type?

H IGH S CHOOL - The next step towards your “Career!” Once you get to High School your “career” begins! This is where everything really starts to count. You will need to meet certain requirements in order to graduate from High School and ultimately move on to College.

C REDITS - When completing classes, students earn “credits” towards High School Graduation. At the High School, a typical semester class earns 5 credits. Students usually earn thirty credits each semester which is equivalent to sixty credits each year. 215 credits are needed to graduate from High School.

G.P.A. – G RADE P OINT A VERAGE Each grade receives a point value: A = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; F = 0 Calculate your G.P.A. by adding the sum of all classes taken and then dividing that amount by the number of classes taken that term: Example: History: C = 2; Math: C = 2; Music: A = 4; English: B = 3; Science: B = 3; PE: A = = Divided by 6 (# of classes taken) = 3.0 Your calculated G.P.A. = 3.0

C.A.H.S.E.E. – C ALIFORNIA H IGH S CHOOL E XIT E XAM Two part test: English Language Arts/Mathematics Taken in the Spring of 10 th grade If only one part of the test is passed that portion is recorded and the student would then only have to re- take the section of the test that was not passed. The Test can be re-taken, every fall, spring and summer. Once taken and passed the results are recorded and the students requirements are met.

C OLLEGE P REPARATORY C LASSES College Prep Classes are class requirements that must be met in order for you to be considered eligible to attend and/or to be accepted to a CSU/UC. These classes are listed under your High School’s Academic Policies and Procedures

C HOOSING A M AJOR - A “major” refers to your specific area of study when you attend college. Examples of typical college majors: Biology Business Psychology Self- assessments can help to guide you towards a major or career that is of interest to you based on your likes/dislikes.

C HOOSING A C OLLEGE - There are so many factors to consider when choosing a college: Specific area of study Are they known for specializing in the major of your choice? Does the school have a well known reputation for that major? Location Do you need/want to commute? Do you want to study out of state? Are you looking to study abroad? Cost Do you need to apply for Financial Aid?

W HERE D O I B EGIN ? The best way to get an idea for what you want to do when you grow up is to take a career interest inventory. A career interest inventory is a list of questions that will direct you towards a suggested list of occupations that you might enjoy based on your answers. Click here to take the Myers-Briggs personality test: H:\Personality Test.doc

T HE NEXT STEPS … After you have chosen a career or two that interests you, research that career to find out things such as: What kind of schooling do I need? How much money will I make? Is there a high demand for that profession?

R EMEMBER : Your personality may change over time. It is important to take this personality test every year to see if you have the same results. This personality test is just a recommendation of what career MAY suit your personality. If you have a career that you would like to research that you were not recommended for, please feel free to do so!

W HAT ’ S IN Y OUR F UTURE ? C AREER E XPLORATION FOR 7/8 TH GRADE S TUDENTS *References: