You and the World of Work Chapter 1

Chapter 1.1: Exploring the World of work

Thinking about your future career Most people prefer to do work that uses their interests and talents. After all, work takes up a lot of time! With a full time job, you could spend more than 2,000 hours a year at work. What kind of job would be right for you? What skills do you consider to be your strengths? What are your interests? What job could you have that combines both your interests and skills?

What is work? Something people do to earn money, but it is so much more than that! Working also: Uses your talents Allows you to be with people who have similar interests Allows you to make a contribution Gives you satisfaction from doing a good job

A Job Vs. A Career Job Something people do to make money. Little education or training is usually involved But…..some jobs can lead to a career Career A series of related jobs built on a foundation of interest, knowledge, training, and experience. Usually a career requires a person to have some type of education, training, and/or previous experience. Many people work at several jobs during their career

Impacts on Lifestyle Your lifestyle is the way you use your time, energy, and resources. Many people use much of their time and energy and many of their resources at work. The work you do can also affect other aspects of your life. It can determine how much time you have to spend with friends and family and how much money and energy you have to pursue your favorite activities.

Your Lifestyle What kind of lifestyle do YOU want to have? What things do you want to have in your life? What is important to you? Make a list of how you’d like to spend your time, resources, and energy.

Comparing Lists Look back at your list you made of your interests and skills. Compare that list to your lifestyle list. What type of career(s) can fit both of your lists? Discuss.

Why do people work? Why do people work? Make a list of reasons why...

Why do people work? Money of course! But there are some other reasons as well. People earn money to pay for: transportation, housing, food, and clothes. Other expenses: health care, insurance, education, and taxes! Entertainment: movies, travel, gifts, etc. People also work because they want to socialize and be with other people, helping others, or being associated with people who have similar interests.

How Americans Spend Their Income Video How the average American spends their income handout How will you spend yours?

Chapter 1.2: The Changing Workplace

The Global Economy and the Job Market Economy refers to the ways in which a group produces, distributes, and consumes its goods and services. Goods: Items people buy Services: activities done for other for a fee Global Economy refers to the ways in which the world’s economies are linked Items you possess may come for all different places around the world.

The Global Economy The global economy has a direct impact on the job market, or the demand for particular jobs, in each country. Take a look back at your career choice(s). Is the career you chose a growing profession (in demand) or are jobs in that field declining? Go to www.bls.gov and search your career and find out! Use the Job Outlook to determine what percent your career is increasing or decreasing.

Impact on Today’s Workers The global economy creates stiff competition for businesses. Just as you want to do well in your career, an employer wants his or her business to do well (profit). As a result, the employer will need employees who can do a variety of tasks and who possess a variety of skills. What skills do you possess at your place of employment (or future place of employment) that you feel is valuable to your employer?

Workplace Skills The U.S. Department Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) has identified the following workplace skills: Basic Skills: reading, writing, mathematics, listening and speaking Thinking Skills: creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, seeing things in the mind’s eye (picturing things in your mind), knowing how to learn, and reasoning Personal Qualities: responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self management, integrity, and honesty.

Changing Technology Modern technology affects not only what work you do but how and where you do it.

Today’s Workplace Trends that you’ll probably encounter in the workplace include: Teams- organized group that set goals, make decisions, and implement actions within a company. Advances in technology can create new jobs or eliminate old jobs. Outsourcing- hiring other companies or individuals to produce their goods and services. Airline companies usually outsource to other companies to provide baggage handling and meals for their customers. Telecommute- working from home, using a computer, fax, and telephone to perform functions of their job.

Choosing A Career Research shows that children tend to make career choices based off of their parents/siblings occupations. Researchers at Facebook used data from 5.6 million people to reveal that certain jobs parents have, including being a nurse, scientist or lawyer, increase the chances of their children following in their footsteps. Discuss: What careers do your parents have? Are you following in their footsteps?

Impact on Today’s Workers You want to make sure you choose a job that matches YOUR interests, YOUR skills, YOUR personality, and YOUR abilities. No matter what you choose, you will need certain basic skills, thinking skills, and personal qualities.

Activity 1.5 Do a google search (or use www.bls.gov ) to discover the latest national employment trends. In United States: Which areas of the country are considered growth areas? What jobs are glutted or being phased out? What jobs are predicted to grow in the next 10 years?

Exit Slip- Due Before Your Leave Today :) Look at the chart pertaining to the United States and Identify: What type of industry do a majority of the jobs fall into? Why do you think so many of the jobs on this list require minimal education?