1. 8th grade career info

2. Complete 2 surveys in Naviance
Letter from Counselor
Complete 2 surveys in Naviance
before January 21st

3. Surveys (due by FEBRUARY 5th)
StrengthsExplorer
Cluster Finder
78 questions
Asks questions about what you prefer
4 Parts
You decide what things you like to do NOW and in the FUTURE

4. We each have great talents
Everyone is different
Some people enjoy talking: some are quiet.
Some like to sit and read; some like to run around.
Some like to have a lot of friends: some have fun with just a few friends.
We each have great talents
The more we know about our talents, the more we can understand what makes us special and how we can use those talents to do things really well.
Strengths Explorer
Lists top three themes of talent

5. Meet with Mrs. Greathouse (January 22-February 8)
Discuss your survey results
Talk about High School plans
Complete a Personal Graduation Plan

6. Reality Check

7. Imagine . . . $28,080 Annual Salary
$2,333 monthly budget
Item
Payment
Amount Left
Federal Income Tax (10%) $ $2,100
Social Security Tax (7.65%) ,922
Medical/dental insurance + out-of-pocket ,772
Housing (Rent - 1 Bdrm, Unfurnished) ,172
Food
Car Payments
Car Insurance
Gas, Oil, etc
Telephone
Utilities
Clothing
Entertainment
Personal Items
Furniture, TV, appliances
Savings
Miscellaneous
NOTE: As you work through this imaginary budget, get the students to tell you how much they think they’d need to spend for various categories. Have fun with it.
You may want to reveal the budget slowly, line by line. The figures are conservative. Some figures may seem really low—such as gas, clothing, entertainment, personal items, etc. These are not actual average costs; they’re simply budget guesses based on how much discretionary money is left after paying for the essentials. $70 for gas & oil will work better for someone with an economy car and a 5-mile commute than a person with a large SUV and a 30-mile commute!
Apartmenet Rent – Average 1 bedroom, unfurnished apt. figure based on averages for major cities in Texas.
Food budget is figured using what students think it costs to east fast food three meals per day—usually $11/day multiplied by 30 days.
Car payments are figured for a used car.
Car insurance is mandatory—and this figure only applies to a good driver covered on parents’ insurance.
Phone=land line—local service only (no long distance, cell phone, call waiting).
Utilities include gas, electricity, water. Sometimes these are included in the rent, but then rent is higher. Students may argue $30 for clothing is much too low. Tell them they can spend more for clothing, but must cut elsewhere.
Entertainment? Movies, DVDs, video games, etc. How much does a movie ticket cost, popcorn and soda cost? Will $30 buy much entertainment for a month?
Miscellaneous items? Shampoo, toothpaste, hair spray, deodorant, etc.
Furniture—inherit cast-offs from family and friends? Otherwise, $50 for time payments leaves their apt. practically vacant.
By the end, students will realize $28K will not go as far as they’d thought.

8. Minimum Wage vs. Skilled Job You Choose!
Unskilled
Labor
Skilled
Labor
$7.25
x 40 hrs/wk
$290.00
x 52 wks/yr
$15,080
$13.50
x 40 hrs/wk
$540.00
x 52 wks/yr
$28,080
As you show this slide, ask students what kind of job can they get when they turn Many will say “fast food”. What would this pay? (Minimum Wage) So what is the current minimum wage? (Federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 on July 2009.)
Are these good jobs for teenagers? Yes, for two reasons: 1) gives you spending money and 2) gives you good job experience.
But what if you had to work a minimum wage job full time, working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, without vacation? Now show the “unskilled labor” part of the slide.
In our example (now click to the “skilled part of the slide) students saw that it’s hard to live well on $28,000 per year. So how well would they do on minimum wage? If no student speaks up, point out the fact that they could work two minimum wage jobs without reaching $28,000!
Tell them there is no shame at working minimum wage; some families work really hard to provide for their families. But wouldn’t they rather work in a job that they enjoy that pays them a higher wage?

9. Option 1: Work Ready $18,500 - $25,760 Retail Sales Receptionist
Bill/Account Collector
Medical/Dental Assistant
Social/Human Service Assistant
Cashier
General Office Clerk
$18,500 - $25,760
Let’s say that you decide to go to work as soon as you graduate from Allen High School.
These are examples of jobs that may be available for people with little or no training beyond high school.
What kind of salary could a graduate anticipate from one of these jobs? Depending on the employer, the job, and the location, you might be able to make $18,500 to $25,000. 9

10. Military Service Careers
Option 2:
Military Service Careers
ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE,
MARINES, COAST GUARD
Potential Annual Salary
Enlisted, basic pay: $18,000
Aircraft Mechanic: $36,600
Military Pilot: $72,300
What about the military? As you can see, there are several options.
While in the military, you can continue studying and work toward a degree or certification that can lead to further success, either in the military or in civilian life.
With a very strong high school background, you might be able to win an appointment to one of our nation’s prestigious military academies. Upon graduation, you will enter the service as an officer. 10

11. Technical or Community College
Option 3:
Technical or Community College
One to two year program that earns technical/career certifications.
Two year program at a community, or junior college earning an Associate’s Degree
Potential Annual Salary $20,000 +
Certifications are available in some computer, technology, or medical fields. Length of these programs could be as short as 6 weeks to 18 months.
What about salaries? The pay is substantially higher than salaries for high-school graduates. Salaries can start between $26,000 and $36,000 per year, and generally your pay will increase at a faster rate than that of people with only a high school education.
Career Options for a 2 year Program: Computer Support Specialist, Medical Record and Health Information Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Hygienist, or Legal Secretary
Two year programs usually grant an Associate’s degree and your courses will transfer to a four year college or university.
Many students who graduate from Allen ISD choose to attend Collin College located in Plano, McKinney, or Frisco. Attending a community college can save you money. 11

12. Jobs Requiring certifications
Starting Salaries with Certificates and/or Associate Degree
Licensed Vocational Nurse $41,494
Accounting Clerk $19,933
Radiologic Technologist $33,881
Electrician $26,108
Physical Therapy Assistant $32,928
Chemical Technician $33,208
CAD Drafter $35,983
Electronic Technician $35,161
Forensic Science Tech $28,313
Point out that many good jobs in the economy do not require a four year degree. The jobs in this slide all require 1 to 2 years additional training beyond high school. Classes can be taken at community colleges or at a variety of career/technical colleges and institutes.
Students can enter these occupations and earn money that will more easily support a family. But to train for these jobs, they will need a strong high school background with math, science, and other courses: those courses that are part of the Eagle Scholars Program.
Several jobs listed here are related to health care and high tech industries. These will continue to be big growth areas in the future. As the population grows and Baby Boomers age, there will be a tremendous need for trained healthcare workers—ranging from people with certifications to advanced degrees. Energy companies will be looking for thousand of people with certifications and 2 year degrees. And some of the salaries are even higher than those you see here.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission—Wage Information Network, Texas Statewide Entry Wage 12

13. Option 4: College or University
A four-year program that results in a Bachelor’s degree.
Many universities also offer Master’s degree and Doctoral degree programs.
Potential Annual Salary $40,000+
Finally, an Eagle Scholar has a fourth option: a four-year program at a college or university. You will earn what is called a Bachelor’s Degree in 4 years and you will earn it in a specific field: math, art, IT, business, accounting, etc.
Job possibilities with a 4 year degree include Network Analyst, Database Administrator, Teacher, Engineer, Financial Manager, General Manager, or Accountant.
These positions offer even higher pay: $40,000 plus. In fact, many engineering jobs start at well over $50,000 per year. For advanced degree-holders, the benefits may be even higher. 13

14. professional Jobs Starting Salaries with 4-year College Degrees
Chemical Engineer $50,060
Wildlife Biologist $41,400
Registered Nurse $47,710
Accountant $42,233
Network Administrator $48,520
Public School Teacher $45,000
Physician’s Assistant $64,770
Statisticians $52,490
Computer Software Engineer $67,620
What are the jobs for people with 4-year college degrees and what do they pay?
Here you see average starting salaries for the Dallas area in several fields. Depending on where you live in Texas, some salaries may be higher or lower.
Engineering and medical positions will be in high demand as more Baby Boomers retire. These are definitely careers worth investigating.
Note that the figures above are beginning salaries; with experience and good job performance can come substantial increases. For example, while a new accountant may start out at about $36,000 per year, the average salary for an experienced accountant is almost $70,000 per year. An experienced registered nurse averages more than $65,000 per year!
Source: Texas Workforce Commission—Wage Information Network, Texas Statewide Entry Wage; US Dept of Labor; US Census Bureau 14

16. Achieving Related Careers
You have more energy and more goals than other people. You love a sense of accomplishment.
Related Careers
Business Finance,
Construction,
Correction Services,
Engineering/Technology
Restaurant Services
Facility Maintenance
IT Support
National Security
Quality Assurance
Regulation

17. Caring Related Careers
In your heart, helping other people is very important. You want to make the world better by helping people in small ways or big ways.
Related Careers
Administration/Admin Support
Diagnostic Services
Family Community Services
General Management
Lodging
Production
Teaching/Training
Therapeutic Services
Travel/Tourism

18. Competing Related Careers
You see many things in life as a game, and you feel great joy when you win. You truly hate to lose because you are always striving for first place.
Related Careers
Animal Systems (genetics, nutrition, growth & development)
Banking
Business Information Management
Manufacture Production Process
Merchandising

19. Journalism/Broadcasting
Confidence
You believe in yourself and what you can do. This helps you take on challenges because you feel sure you can succeed.
Related Careers
EMT/Fire Management
Journalism/Broadcasting
Law Enforcement
Legal Services
Performing Arts

20. Administration/Admin Support
Dependability
Trust is important to you, and you care about being seen as responsible and trustworthy. People count on you to do what you say you will do. When you make a promise, you mean to keep it.
Related Careers
Administration/Admin Support
Animal Systems
AV Tech & Film
Construction
Health Safety
Law Enforcement
Public Management
Support Services

21. Discoverer Related Careers
A thinker and learner, you are excited about exploring ideas and making connections. You like to ask the questions “How?” and “Why?”
Related Careers
Accounting
Agribusiness
Biotechnology research/development
Business Finance
Consumer Services (Fin, Real Estate, Insurance)
Design/Pre-construction
Counseling/Mental Health Services

22. Future Thinker Related Careers
Your mind loves to think and dream about the future. You are a person who thinks about what is possible, not what is impossible.
Related Careers
Design/Pre-construction
Engineering & Technology
Health/Safety/Environment Management
Manufacturing Production Process
Marketing Communication

23. Organizer Related Careers
Scheduling, planning, and organizing your world makes life better. People count on you to get the details right and pull a plan together.
Related Careers
Accounting
Admin Services
Agribusiness
AV Technology
Biotech Research
EMT/Fire
Environmental Services
Health/Safety
Marketing Management
National Security
Public Administration

24. Presence Related Careers
You were born to be at the front of the room telling stories and taking the lead. Other people watch you and listen to you.
Related Careers
Governance
Human Resources
Journalism/Broadcasting
Legal Services
Marketing Communication

25. Relating Related Careers
You like to start friendships and keep them for a long time, maybe even your whole life. You widen the circle of friends for yourself and others.
Related Careers
Banking
Counseling
Early Childhood Development
General Management
Governance
Human Resources
Professional Support Services