Educational Choices You Won’t Regret Later What You Need to Know and Do to Ensure You’re Making Wise Decisions http://www.dreams-goals.com/Wkshp-EducationChoices.html Presented by: Kathleen E. High, M.Ed., CCSP, GCDF-I Independent Education/Career Consultant Your Dreams & Goals Presented to: Clients of: Orange County One-Stop Center

Learning Outcomes Participants Will: Identify Why They Need to Do to Make Good Decisions Identify What Activities Contribute to Good Decisions Register How Today’s World Impacts Education Choices Learn to Research Career Options Learn to Research Education Options Acquire Tools for Researching Education Options Recognize Appropriate Academic Preparation Activities Recognize Appropriate Career Preparation Activities Identify Effective Job Search Strategies

Why This Workshop? Too Many People Jump Into Education Programs and… Don’t finish because: They didn’t properly research their options They didn’t choose the right program to begin with They’re not ready to begin Finish but can’t get a job in the field Didn’t take all the necessary steps to success Video: “Success in the New Economy” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHEI_gZibSE

Why This Workshop? (Continued) Regardless of all of the above THEY STILL HAVE STUDENT LOAN DEBTS THAT CAN’T BE WRITTEN OFF IN BANKRUPTCY

Reflection: What Challenges Do You Face? Do You Know: What You Want? What You Need to Do? Where to Go for Help?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Self Knowledge Understand Education Recognize Today’s World Knowledge of the Career Know the Education Requirements Know How to Pay for the Education Diligent Research Academic Preparation Career Preparation Effective Job Search Strategies

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Self Knowledge Realistic Self Knowledge Who You are (Personality, Abilities, Values, Skills, Interests) Your Motivation for Learning How You Best Learn Your Short-Term and Long-Term Goals What Personal Challenges Can Potentially Derail You? Personal Responsibility What Affects Success Readiness: Maslow & Motivation & Personal Problems Priorities Defined Seek Professional Help Listen to Your “Inner Voice”

Refection: Self Knowledge How Much Self Knowledge Do You Possess? How Do You to Take Personal Responsibility?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Understanding Education Degree vs Certificate vs Credential vs License: Degrees (Usually Long-Term, Universal/Transferable) Associates of Arts or Science (AA/AS) Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) Master’s Degree (MA/MS/M.ED., etc.) Doctorate Degree (Ph.D, Ed.D., PsyD, etc.) Certificates Short-term version of degree or supplemental to degree Credentials Third-party verification of qualification for job Licenses Granted by the state convey legal authority to work in occupation1

Reflection: Education What is Your Highest Level of Education Obtained? How Much Education Are You Willing to Pursue at This Time?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Recognize Today’s World Understanding Today’s World A Changing World Video: “Did You Know?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZiIO0YI7Y Understanding Labor Market Trends Short-Term vs Long-Term Cyclical vs. Permanent Predictions Based on Demographics and Technology Cannot Anticipate Unanticipated Unknowns

Reflection: Today’s World How Do You See These Changes Affecting Your Life and Career?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Knowledge of the Career Trends in the Industry Qualifications for the Career Minimum vs. Desired How Important are Specific Credentials? Experience Required Minimum vs. Competitive

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Knowledge of the Career (Continued) Education Required Degrees vs. certificates Exact, ‘Closely Related’, or Any Degree Skills Required Technical vs. Transferable Credentials or Certificates? How to Prepare for That Career How Do You Get Your Foot in the Door? How Do You Get Your First Job?

Reflection: Career Do You Know What Career You Want? If Yes, How Much Information Have You Found?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Know Education Requirements Entrance Requirements What You Will Learn Total Financial Commitment Tuition, Books, Supplies, Tools, Equipment, Parking, Test & License Fees, & Misc., Time off work, How You will Support Yourself, etc. Total Time Commitment Class time, Homework time, Time off work, Time away from personal life Are There Special Programs (i.e. online, accelerated, sponsored, apprenticeships, etc.) Is it a Good Fit? How Will You Get Experience?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Know How to Pay for Education Total Cost - Determine How to Pay for It: Own Financial Means Family, Spouse, Community (i.e. church), etc. Financial Aid Grants, loans, fee waivers, scholarships, etc. Employer Special Program Funding Veteran’s, Unemployment, SSI, etc. What Is Covered and What is Not Covered

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Conduct Diligent Research Diligent Research of Your Educational Options What Schools and Programs are Appropriate Options? Will It Meet Your Goals? Are the School and Program Accredited? Are the School and Program Respected by Future Employers? How Competitive is the School and/or Program? Is the Program Compatible with Your Learning Styles? How Much and What Kind of Support is Offered? Academic Support Student Services Career Acquisition

What Goes into Wise Decisions? How to Do Diligent Research? Know Your Resources Understand the Link Between Education and Career Recognize How Trends Affect Demand in the Field Understand How Education Works Know What to Look For Know What Questions to Ask Seek Input and Counsel From Qualified People

What Goes into Wise Decisions? What are Some Good Resources? Your Dreams & Goals Documents: http://www.dreams-goals.com/IndividualLessons.html Life-Long Learning Options Understanding Educational Systems School Research Project Researching Career Interests (Using Appropriate Sources of Information) Basic Career Research - Options Exploration (Part 1) Career Research Assignment - In Depth (Part 2) Different Types of Counselors Workshop: “Meeting Financial Responsibilities”

What Goes into Wise Decisions. What are Some Good Resources What Goes into Wise Decisions? What are Some Good Resources? (Continued) Other Resources Career One-Stop: “Find Local Training” https://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find- training.aspx CaliforniaColleges.Edu https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/Home/_default.aspx Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/ooh/ Database of Accredited Post-secondary Institutions http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ Your College’s Catalog See website for more: http://www.dreams-goals.com/Wkshp- EducationChoices.html

Reflection: Education Do You Know What Education You Need? What Research Tools Have You Used? If Yes, Do How Much Information Have You Found?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Be Academically Prepared Before Beginning Training, Be Sure: Meet the Minimum Requirements for Admission Or Competitive Requirements Identify Any Program or Class Pre-Requisites Test Scores, GPA, Degree/Certificate, Other Classes, etc. Your Technology is Current Technology Skills are Sufficient and Current Navigate the Campus and Its Resources and Catalog Know Where to Find Academic Help (i.e. Tutoring) Have Education Plan (List of Classes and Order to Take)

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Be Prepared for the Career While You Are Attending Classes, Ask: How Will You Practice New Skills Outside of Class? When and Where Can You Get Work Experience? Where Do You Find “Entry-Level” Job Opportunities? What are the Industry-Related Professional Associations? What Professional Development Opportunities Available? Who Can You Network With? What are My Professional Strengths/Unique Identity? What Job Search Skills are Appropriate for This Industry?

Reflection: Academic & Career Preparation What Have You Done in the Past to Prepare for Future Careers? How Did That Help You Get a Job?

What Goes into Wise Decisions? Know How to Get a Job The Degree or Certificate is Not Enough Meeting All Job Requirements (i.e. Physical, Legal, etc.) Understanding How to Get a Job in Your Desired Field Identifying Entry-Level Jobs When to Get an Entry-Level Job How to Get an Entry-Level Job Possess Effective Job Search Skills

Reflection: Job Search Have You Thought About How You Will Get That First Job? Can You Identify People to Network With? What Can You Do Now to Prepare?

Summary: Wise Decisions are Possible Self Knowledge Understand Education Recognize Today’s World Knowledge of the Career Know the Education Requirements Know How to Pay for the Education Diligent Research Academic Preparation Career Preparation Effective Job Search Strategies

Wrap Up: What Have You Learned Today? What is Your Inner Voice Saying to You Right Now? What Should Be Your Priority Now?

Wrap Up: Want a Follow Up Consultation? Free Initial Follow Up Consultations Available Further Appointments Available at Discounted Rates for Workshop Participants Provide Contact Information on Sign-up Sheet

References: United States Department of Labor. (2018, March 10). https://www.bls.gov/cps/certifications-and-licenses-faqs.htm. Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/cps/certifications-and-licenses-faqs.htm