Career Development for the Twenty-First Century Dr. Christal C. Pritchett & Geana W. Mitchell FBLA National Leadership Conference – June 27, 2008 Dr. Christal C. Pritchett & Geana W. Mitchell FBLA National Leadership Conference – June 27, 2008

WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR IN NEW EMPLOYEES? 1. Communication skills 2. Honesty and integrity 3. Teamwork 4. Motivation and initiative 5. A strong work ethic 1. Communication skills 2. Honesty and integrity 3. Teamwork 4. Motivation and initiative 5. A strong work ethic

INDIVIDUALS WITH SOFT SKILLS Communicate effectively Work with others Take initiative Act professionally Communicate effectively Work with others Take initiative Act professionally

IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS Communication skills always rank in the top five Students lack the ability to communicate Mastery is important Communication skills always rank in the top five Students lack the ability to communicate Mastery is important

THE PROBLEM Communication, teamwork, and ethics are important skills for success in the 21 st Century workforce.

WRITING SKILLS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A CAREER Percent of Companies that: A. Consider writing when hiring B. Incorporate writing responsibilities into jobs C. Assess writing skills during hiring D. Produce written reports E. Require training for writing deficiencies Percent of Companies that: A. Consider writing when hiring B. Incorporate writing responsibilities into jobs C. Assess writing skills during hiring D. Produce written reports E. Require training for writing deficiencies

THE GOAL To express ideas correctly To express them well To express them in a way that makes sense To express ideas correctly To express them well To express them in a way that makes sense

PLANNING THE MESSAGE Step #1 Determine the Purpose and the Channel Step #2 Envision the Audience Step #3 Adapt the Message to the Audience Step #4 Organize the Message Step #5 Prepare the First Draft Step #6 Revise and Proofread for Accuracy Step #1 Determine the Purpose and the Channel Step #2 Envision the Audience Step #3 Adapt the Message to the Audience Step #4 Organize the Message Step #5 Prepare the First Draft Step #6 Revise and Proofread for Accuracy

Stage one – Prewriting Stage two – Drafting Stage three – Revising Stage four – Editing Stage five – Presenting Stage one – Prewriting Stage two – Drafting Stage three – Revising Stage four – Editing Stage five – Presenting THE WRITING PROCESS

Aptitude, Ability, & Personality An aptitude is a student’s potential for learning a certain skill. An ability is a skill that they have already developed. Personality is the combination of their attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics. As business educators, we need to guide students in matching their aptitude, ability, personality, and interests with a career so that they will be successful. An aptitude is a student’s potential for learning a certain skill. An ability is a skill that they have already developed. Personality is the combination of their attitudes, behaviors, and characteristics. As business educators, we need to guide students in matching their aptitude, ability, personality, and interests with a career so that they will be successful.

Tests Aptitude Tests Personality Tests Career Tests IQ Tests See handout for websites and additional information. Aptitude Tests Personality Tests Career Tests IQ Tests See handout for websites and additional information.

Career Development Career development is a process where your students use career planning resources to help them set career goals and develop career plans. See handout for websites and additional information. Career development is a process where your students use career planning resources to help them set career goals and develop career plans. See handout for websites and additional information.

PROJECTS Many projects can be easily integrated into the business education classroom. Examples: Introduction Project (Interviews) Entrepreneurship Project Project Evaluation (Rubrics) Occupational Outlook Handbook Activities Ford PAS Projects Many projects can be easily integrated into the business education classroom. Examples: Introduction Project (Interviews) Entrepreneurship Project Project Evaluation (Rubrics) Occupational Outlook Handbook Activities Ford PAS Projects

Occupational Outlook Handbook For hundreds of different types of jobs, the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you: the training and education needed earnings expected job prospects what workers do on the job working conditions OOH Activities For hundreds of different types of jobs, the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you: the training and education needed earnings expected job prospects what workers do on the job working conditions OOH Activities

Ford PAS Curriculum The Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) is an academically rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and program that provides students with content knowledge and skills necessary for future success—in such areas as business, economics, engineering, and technology. Through coordinated, real-world learning opportunities, Ford PAS provides experiences to help students make decisions about their future education and careers. The Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS) is an academically rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum and program that provides students with content knowledge and skills necessary for future success—in such areas as business, economics, engineering, and technology. Through coordinated, real-world learning opportunities, Ford PAS provides experiences to help students make decisions about their future education and careers.

CONTACT INFORMATION Dr. Christal C. Pritchett Assistant Professor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Mrs. Geana W. Mitchell Instructor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Dr. Christal C. Pritchett Assistant Professor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256) Mrs. Geana W. Mitchell Instructor Alabama A&M University P.O. Box 429 Normal, Alabama (256)

REFERENCES Employers value communication and interpersonal abilities. (2004, January). Keying In, 14(3), 1-6. Glenn, J.L. (2005, February). Language in business. Business Education Forum, 59(3), Lehman, C., & DuFrene, D. (2008). Business communication (15th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: South- Western/Thompson Learning. Quibble, Z.K. (2004, Fall). Error identification, labeling, and correction in written business communication. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, XLVI(3), Employers value communication and interpersonal abilities. (2004, January). Keying In, 14(3), 1-6. Glenn, J.L. (2005, February). Language in business. Business Education Forum, 59(3), Lehman, C., & DuFrene, D. (2008). Business communication (15th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: South- Western/Thompson Learning. Quibble, Z.K. (2004, Fall). Error identification, labeling, and correction in written business communication. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, XLVI(3),

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