Chapter 9 Career Planning

9-1 Career Opportunities THE CAREER PLANNING PROCESS Occupation- task or series of tasks that is performed to provide a good or service Career- goal for work that is fulfilled through an occupation Your current career goal is to complete your schooling and get ready for the future.

Career planning- process of studying careers, assessing yourself in terms of careers, and making decisions about a future career

The Career Planning Process Personal Assessment Determine interests and values Identify talents and abilities Employment market analysis Geographic influences Business and economic trends

The Career Planning Process Application process application form resume and cover letter Interview process Prepare for interview Follow-up activities

The Career Planning Process Employment acceptance Salary and financial factors Organizational environment Career development and advancement Practice career success behaviors Develop strong work relationships

Your Study of Careers Too often, a career choice is not made until full-time work begins This is too late, especially if training and education are required It is important to view learning about careers as a life-long activity Tentative career decision- subject to change as new information is received

Career Training Many careers required education and training beyond high school including: Two-year schools- community or junior colleges Four-year colleges and universities- public and private Private business schools- court reporter, computer tech, medical assistant, etc.

Consider the cost of further schooling as an investment in your future. This schooling will help you earn a higher wage. Many ways exist to help finance your education.

Many financial aid programs are provided by schools including: Scholarships Student loans Work-study programs Some financial aid programs are based on your academic record. Others are based on financial need.

Checkpoint>> Why is it important to follow each of the six steps in the Career Planning Process?

Print and Media Sources Occupational Outlook Handbook- information on hundreds of occupations including Job duties Working conditions Education and training requirements Advancement opportunities Employment outlook Earnings

Career World- includes careers of the future Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance- basic information about many occupations Newspaper Help Wanted Ads- an idea of jobs in demand and what skills and training are needed

Online Sources Web sites are available to help with career planning. A search may be performed to gather information about: resumes, effective interviewing, creating a career portfolio

Informational Interview Informational interview- planned discussion with a worker willing to help you learn about their work, the preparation needed for the career, and the person’s feelings about their career Help you gain insight into what really happens in a career

Questions to ask during an informational interview include: How did you get your current job? In what ways do you find your work most satisfying? What are your main frustrations? What tasks and activities are required in your work? What are the most important qualifications for working in this field? What advice do you give a young person who is thinking about this type of work?

Job shadow- spending time with a worker for a day or week to learn about their occupation

Business Contacts Networking- talking to other people about their jobs Advantages of networking: Contacts not limited to people you know personally Every person you meet is a potential contact for career information The contacts in your network when you start work as well as later in life

Checkpoint>> What are the main sources of career information?

In-Class Activity>> Career Areas with Greatest Growth Potential Sales and Retailing Marketing representatives and sales managers in the areas of electronics, medical products, financial services Health Care Medical assistants, physical therapists, home health workers, lab technicians, health care administrators Social Services Child care workers, elder care coordinators, family counselors, social service agency administrators Business Services Web consultants, language translators, employee benefits managers, data analysts Hospitality and Food Service Resort and hotel administrators, customer service representatives, food service managers, meeting planners Financial Services Risk assessment managers, e-commerce accountants, investment consultants Management and Human Resources Supervisors, interviewers, employee benefits administrators Computer Technology Systems analysts, computer operators, web site developers, service technicians Education Corporate trainers, special education teachers, educational administrators

GROWTH CAREER AREAS Geographic Influences Mobility- willingness and ability to move where jobs are located Locational unemployment- jobs are available in one place but go unfilled because qualified persons live elsewhere and are unwilling to move

Economic and Industry Trends Careers with the most potential are influenced by economic trends. Consumer demand Changing demographic trends New technology

Checkpoint>> What factors affect the career areas that will be in demand in the future?

9-1 ASSESSMENT Complete questions #1-3 from page 5 of your packet.