2. Part 1—Career Exploration
Chapter 1
Making the Transition from School to Career

3. Chapter Objectives
Identify what students should consider when trying to make a career decision.
Explain how a work-based learning program is organized.
List the purpose and types of work-based learning programs available.
Describe the benefits of the work-based learning programs for students and employers.
Identify the career knowledge and skills that all students should develop.

4. Key Concepts
To find the job that is right for you, you will need to explore the options available.
Work-based learning programs can help you prepare for the world of work.
Participating in a work-based learning experience has many benefits.
Career clusters knowledge and skills and transferable skills can help you succeed on the job.

5. Exploring the World of Work
Job: A task performed by a worker, usually to earn money.
Occupation: Work that requires the use of related skills and experience.
Career: A progression of related occupations that results in employment and personal growth.
Ways to decide which type of job is best for you include:
Career events.
Field trips.
Job shadowing.
Volunteering.

6. The Career Clusters
Career clusters: The 16 groups of occupational and career specialties that are similar to each other by common interests.
Each cluster includes several career directions called career pathways.
Occupations in each pathway range from entry-level to very challenging.
Careers in each pathway require a set of common knowledge and skills.
Related careers require similar programs of study.

7. Workplace Exploration
Attend career events at school.
Listen to expert speakers talk about their field.
Take field trips to different employers in the community.
Volunteer at nonprofit operations in your community.
Job shadowing: Following a worker on the job and observing what that job involves.

8. Opportunities to Learn on the Job
Work-based learning programs: Provide students with job training; also called school-to-career programs.
Program coordinator: A special teacher or counselor at the school assigned to each student.
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9. Opportunities to Learn on the Job
Training station: A job site where a student works to learn job skills.
Supervisor: A student’s boss in the workplace.
Work-based mentor: An assistant assigned to answer the student’s day-to-day questions; also called a training sponsor.
Types of work-based learning include:
Cooperative education programs.
Internships.

10. Cooperative Education
Cooperative education: A school program that prepares students for an occupation while getting paid.
Students take classes half a day, work half a day, and take a cooperative education class.
The co-op class and work experience earn the student graduation credit.

11. Internship
Internship: Paid or unpaid work for a specific amount of time.
No formal class is attended, but credit toward graduation is earned.
The duties may be very routine, or they may focus on specialized projects.

12. Benefits of Learning on the Job
Gaining on-the-job experience.
Acquiring marketable skills.
Recognizing career goals.
Learning to work with others.
Earning money.

13. Preparing for Career Success
Companies try to hire workers who have knowledge and skills for workplace success.
Career knowledge and skills.
Transferable skills.

14. Career Knowledge and Skills
Knowing how to read, write, make presentations, and listen well; and use math and science principles.
Using illustrations to convey complex concepts.
Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating data.
Using Internet searches, presentation software, and writing/publishing applications.
Understanding the roles within the team, work unit, department, and organization.
Academic foundations
Communications
Problem solving and critical thinking
Information technology applications
Systems
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15. Career Knowledge and Skills
Knowing and following the procedures required by health and safety codes.
Demonstrating integrity, perseverance, self-discipline, and responsibility.
Behaving in ways that are appropriate for the workplace.
Recognizing what needs to be learned or accomplished to gain a promotion.
Correctly using the technology systems and equipment common to a chosen career.
Safety, health, and environment
Leadership and teamwork
Ethics and legal responsibilities
Employability and career development
Technical skills

16. Transferable Skills
Transferable skills: Skills used in more than one job.
Having transferable skills helps people move from one job to another.
Leadership and problem-solving skills are examples.
Transferable skills make you more capable and help expand your workplace know-how.

17. Thinking Back
How do you plan to make the transition from school to career?
What are the sequential steps in that plan?
If you do not have a plan yet, why not?