1. Chapter Objectives Identify personal interests, aptitudes, abilities, and personality traits that influence career decisions. Prepare a career plan. List sources of career information. continued

2. Chapter Objectives Identify employment trends. Describe the education and training you will need. Outline the steps you can take to pay for the education and training you will need.

3. Making a Career Plan Most people spend about one-third of their waking hours at work The work you choose will affect your earning power, job opportunities, job satisfaction, and financial security It’s not too early to begin thinking about career choices continued

4. Making a Career Plan After deciding on a field of interest, begin making a career plan continued

5. Making a Career Plan A career plan includes –r–required courses and training –j–job-related experiences –e–extracurricular activities and projects Career plans can be started as early as junior high school

6. Identify Your Interests The type of work you’ll enjoy can be determined by your interests: –F–Favorite hobbies, subjects, and extracurricular activities –S–School subjects you’ve enjoyed –P–Part-time jobs you liked

7. Identify Your Aptitudes and Abilities A look at your aptitudes and abilities will help you identify your strengths and talents When you can put interests, aptitudes, and abilities together into a job choice, you are likely to be successful on the job continued

8. Identify Your Aptitudes and Abilities When thinking about job categories, it’s helpful to identify what you do well and what you like doing

9. Look at Your Personality Your personality will provide clues to a job you would enjoy Consider how others would describe you

10. Assess Your Values and Goals Analyzing personal values and goals can help you make good career and job choices –W–What is really important to you? –W–What contribution do you want to make? –W–What job or career will make you feel you are making a difference?

11. The Career Clusters The 16 career clusters link material learned in school to specific career paths and their programs of study Within each cluster are subgroups called career pathways Pathways reflect associations among occupations that require similar knowledge and skills continued

12. The Career Clusters You will be drawn to one or more clusters based on your interests, aptitudes, and abilities By focusing on one career cluster and pathway, you can easily explore different occupations within your areas of interest continued

13. The Career Clusters Each career pathway includes jobs from entry-level to management positions You can relate this information to a career ladder that shows how to progress from one level of learning to the next

14. continued

15. Study the Job Market What careers and occupations do you think will be in the greatest demand over the next 10 years and beyond? Learn about fields that offer the most job opportunities

16. In Your Opinion How might the career clusters help you narrow down your job search?

17. Job and Career Information Sources of career and job information include –c–career guides –t–the Internet –s–school guidance counselors –l–libraries –c–career events

18. Employment Trends Supply and demand in the job market varies greatly within fields of employment and in different parts of the country due to –n–new technology –e–economic factors at home and around the world

19. Plan the Training and Education You Need In a variety of fields, jobs using new technology require highly trained and skilled workers continued

20. Plan the Training and Education You Need A college education or occupational training will be required for many jobs Untrained and unskilled workers will either be unemployed or remain at bottom-level, low-paying jobs You need to learn and relearn work skills over a lifetime

21. College or University Education Higher education can be a costly investment, with returns of higher earnings, better job opportunities, and a fuller life Factors to consider include –p–personal goals –p–personal preferences –y–your record and performance

22. College Choices Open to You Check out and compare –p–programs of study –f–faculty –f–facilities –e–environment –g–geographic location and campus setting –c–cost –f–financial aid continued

23. College Choices Open to You Decide if you prefer a campus that is –r–religious or non- denominational –S–Small or large –I–In a city or rural –C–Close to home or far away continued

24. College Choices Open to You Sources of college information include –t–the college’s Web site and printed materials, including catalogs –c–college and career orientation programs –v–visiting the college or its representatives –c–current students and alumni

25. College and Job Training Online Internet education and training programs are called e-learning, which is a form of distance learning Do some research before enrolling for any form of distance learning The U.S. Distance Learning Association is a good source of information continued

26. College and Job Training Online Research an online school’s –p–prerequisites –n–necessary equipment and supplies –e–expectation of student computer skills –r–reputation and reliability –f–faculty qualifications –c–cost continued

27. College and Job Training Online Check the school’s –t–teaching and instructional methods –d–degrees, certificates, and job-placement services

28. Occupational Training Occupational training is available through a variety of schools and programs: –P–Privately owned occupation schools –C–Community colleges –A–Adult education programs –O–Online and home-study programs –E–Employer-sponsored training

29. Internships Paid and unpaid internships give people an opportunity to gain on-the-job experience

30. Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are available in over 800 occupations involving manual, mechanical, or technical skills They offer –p–pay and benefits –t–training by experienced tradespeople –c–certification –i–improved employment opportunities

31. The Armed Forces The military offers free and low-cost education and training programs In college, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) involves taking special courses and training along with regular college courses Graduates serve several years of active duty and a period in the reserves continued

32. The Armed Forces ROTC advantages: –E–Education and training opportunities –S–Salaries –G–Generous benefits ROTC disadvantages: –P–Possibility of being called to active duty during times of war –R–Required to serve out entire term of contract

33. Continuing Education Keeping up-to-date in your field is an advantage in almost all occupations Continuing education includes individual courses to complete programs continued

34. Continuing Education Helps those who want to advance in their career, qualify for employment in a new field, or gain personal satisfaction

35. Paying for Training and Education Education is an investment in yourself Deciding how much you can afford to invest and how you will pay for it requires careful thought Financial aid comes in many forms and from many sources; search for options

36. Central Ideas of the Chapter Evaluating your personal interests, aptitudes, abilities, values, and goals can help you form a career plan. The career clusters can help guide you to choose a career area of interest. Once you choose a career path, you can determine the education and training you will need to meet your career goals.

37. Glossary of Key Terms abilities. Physical and mental skills developed through learning, training, and practice. apprenticeship. A type of education that combines on-the-job training, work experience, and classroom-type instruction. aptitudes. Natural physical and mental talents. Back

38. Glossary of Key Terms career clusters. Sixteen general groupings of occupational and career developed by a partnership among the states, educators, and employers. career ladder. An outline of jobs in a given career field that are available at different levels of education and training experience. Back

39. Glossary of Key Terms career plan. An outline of steps or action you can take to reach a career goal, including required courses and training, job-related experiences, and extracurricular activities or projects. community colleges. Two-year school offering both academic and occupational courses. Back

40. Glossary of Key Terms continuing education. Learning pursued after a person completes formal education and training. distance learning. Education or training delivered to the student online, by mail, or on television, offering many choices in both individual courses and total program options. Back

41. Glossary of Key Terms e-learning. Internet education and training programs. interests. Activities, subjects, ideas, sports, or hobbies a person enjoys. internship. A short-term position with a sponsoring organization to gain experience in a certain field of study. Back

42. Glossary of Key Terms occupational training. Program that prepares students for a specific type of work, available through schools and online. Reserve Officers ’ Training Corps (ROTC). Program offered by the military that offers education and training for low cost. Participants enter the service as officers upon graduation. Back