The Educational, Social, and Economic Value of Informed and Considered Career Decisions

“Never memorize what you can look up.” Albert Einstein Albert Einstein Presentation on the web at

Mark Twain  Explore.  Dream.  Discover.

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Volatility in the World of Work  Contingent workforce  One in five laid off in last three years  Changing jobs, careers, employers with greater frequency

Volatility in the World of Work  14 million workers need career planning assistance annually 1  17 percent of workers change jobs annually 1  Changing economic structure requiring higher levels of skill 1 Herr, 2003.

Coping with Volatility in the World of Work  career self management skills  informed and considered career decisions

Career Self-Management (n.) Internalization of career development process that enables an individual to prosper in a work world in which  Employment is in a constant state of flux  Changing jobs and employers is the norm

Most youth are not ready. Most adults in transition face bigger challenges and are not ready Why Not ?

Informed and Considered Career Decisions  Career information  Career information systems  Career information processes  Career information networks Information Model

Career Development Information Model

Career Information  Occupational information  Industry and employer information  Education and training information  Financial aid information  Career development process  And more…

Career Information Systems Comprehensive, integrated information resources that enable career development and make career self- management possible.

Career Development Processes  Career counseling  Career guidance programs  Career education

Speedbump used with permission of Creators Syndicate.

Career Networks Culture of Research and Practice  ACRN  O*NET  CIS Operators Council  ACRNA  NCDA  Counseling associations  and many more…

Career Self-Management career information + career services career development process career development process

Career Self-Management → career self management skills → informed and considered career decisions throughout one’s life

Career Development Processes: Analyzing, organizing, and processing information and experience  Creating awareness of possibilities,  Exploring possible career pathways,  Reviewing available information,

Career Development Processes: Analyzing, organizing, and processing information and experience  Clarifying interests, values, and skills through assessment,  Reflecting upon experiences,  Relating education and training options to occupational goals,

Career Development Processes: Analyzing, organizing, and processing information and experience  Experimenting through work sampling, volunteering, or employment,  Consulting with knowledgeable people in the field of interest,

Career Development Processes: Analyzing, organizing, and processing information and experience  Formulating plans for education, training, career entry, and retraining,  Decision-making and refinement of plans….

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Measurement What is the value of a $10 wrench?  On the shelf?  In the hands of an experienced mechanic?  Who works in a top-notch repair shop?  That is part of a world-wide network of technical support? Answer: value of any tool increases dramatically when used in the context of systems, processes and networks

Measurement  Value of every car repaired?  Engine damage prevented?  Jobs kept because of reliable transportation? How do you measure the value? What do you count?

Career Information is our basic tool  Basis for systems, processes, and networks  Essential information for career development

Career Information is our basic tool The intelligence that guides students and workers (plus the people who help them) in comprehending and deciding about education, work and life.

Career development helps people make informed and considered career decisions Positive outcomes in three domains  Education  Social  Economic

Educational Outcomes  Improved educational achievement  Improved levels of postsecondary preparation and participation  Better articulation among levels of education and between education and work  Shorter time to graduation  Higher graduation rates

Educational Outcomes Informed and considered career decisions are linked to improved educational achievement, attainment, and efficiency. Students who make informed and considered career decisions are more likely to graduate from high school and to succeed in postsecondary education.

Social Benefits  Family, peers and community  Higher levels of worker satisfaction  Reduced unemployment and under- employment  Shorter path to the labor market  Reduced workplace stress, depression and violence

Social Benefits Informed and considered career decisions reduce the likelihood of occupational mismatch and unemploy- ment, increase the likelihood of career satisfaction, and result in lower incidences of work-related stress and depression.

Economic Outcomes  Higher incomes and tax revenues  Lower rates of unemployment  Lower costs of worker turnover  Lower health care costs  Lower criminal justice costs  Increased worker productivity

Economic Outcomes Informed and considered career decisions lead to higher incomes, fewer bouts and shorter durations of unemployment, better matches of person and work resulting in less turnover, better health for the employee and the employee’s family, and fewer instances of work-related stress, depression, and violence, which lead to savings in social welfare, criminal justice, and health-care costs.

What if…  Informed and considered career decisions…  Were the norm?

Benefits  More efficient use of education and training resources  Increased student engagement  Higher productivity  Greater job satisfaction  Less frequent and shorter durations of unemployment

Benefits  Higher levels of education and training  Better fit between individuals and their work  Less work-related stress, depression, and violence  Significant savings of public and private resources

Savings  Unemployment compensation  Employee health care  Social welfare programs  Education and re-education  Corrections  Community mental health

Directions for the Future Investing in career information and services at a level that ensures universal competency in making informed and considered career decisions might be the national investment strategy to enable full participation in the Twenty-first Century workplace.

Dilbert reprinted by permission of United Features Syndicate, Inc.

Work can be more than work. Work can be more than work. As career professionals we know that when we… ExploreDreamDiscover