1. 7 th & 8 th Grades

2. What you have done so far… You have learned about career clusters You have researched various careers You have begun to think about what career you will pursue

3. Now you need to …… Examine what preparation you need to make  What education do you need?  What training do you need?

4. Questions to ask yourself… When do I want to start working? When should I begin the education and training that I will need for my career? How long will my education and training take? How will I pay for my education and training? Will I combine work with my education? How much money do I need to make to meet my lifestyle goals? Can I continue my education and training after I begin working?

5. Education and Training Options What options are available for your career choice?  You may go directly from high school to your career  While you work in your career, you might receive on- the-job training  You may take courses over the Internet  Your employer may pay for advance training/education  You may go to a community college  You may go to a technical school  You may go to college or university Whatever path you take, you will need to begin planning while still in high school

6. High School Options Many high school courses are designed with careers in mind Students choose a “pathway” and take classes related to the career cluster Pathways commonly available  Business  Agriculture  Technology  Health  College Prep  Post-secondary Education Options (PSEO)

7. Pathways Available at Crisp County High School Agriculture  Agricultural Mechanics  Plant Science/Horticulture Construction Technology Family & Consumer Science Healthcare Science Marketing Education Business & Information Technology  Financial Mgt/Accounting  Financial Mgt. Services  Interactive Media Engineering Drawing & Design JROTC

8. What are PSEOs? Post-Secondary Education Options are courses that give you a head start on education and training beyond high school  Advanced Placement courses – you study college- level materials while in high school  Dual Credit – contract between your high school and a post-secondary school where you earn college credit and high school credit for a course  OR, you leave the H.S. campus and take a college course on the college campus

9. Career and Technical School Offer courses of study for many career areas Many Career and Technical Schools have PSEOs What is our local Career and Technical School?  http://www.southgatech.edu/ http://www.southgatech.edu/ Does it offer a course of study you would be interested in pursuing?

10. Specialized Options Certification programs Internships Cooperative programs Apprenticeships

11. Certification Course or Program Complete the courses in the program Take a test to receive a Certificate  Certificate – an official document that proves  you have successfully completed the specific course content  and that you have the necessary skills for that area of your career  The certificate shows an employer that you have specialized skills and can perform a certain job

12. Common Certificate Programs Cosmetology Culinary Arts Welding Business Construction Childcare

13. Internship Internship – a program that provides practical experience while working in a specific career area You learn about the  Work environment  Equipment used  Relationships between workers and supervisors  Dress code May also provide a part-time or full-time job after you graduate People who intern are usually more satisfied with their career choice

14. Cooperative Programs Cooperative (co-op) Programs – combine studies with paid work experiences in a specific career field  Students see how classwork relates to work experiences  Students apply skills learned in class to an actual job Available in high schools Students in co-op program  Attend class for part of the day  Work at co-op employment for other part of the school day  Earn school credit for participating  Earn pay for their work

15. Apprenticeship Apprenticeship – a program in which a person works for a skilled worker to learn a trade Examples include:  Construction  Manufacturing  Culinary arts  X-ray equipment tester  Electricians  Plumbers

16. Reasons to Finish High School Drop-outs are more likely  to be unemployed  to live in poverty  to receive public assistance  to be in prison  to be on death row  to be unhealthy  to be divorced  to be a single parent  with children who end up dropping out of school, too Employers look at drop-outs as quitters Don’t drop-out! Stay in school.

17. Options after High School Straight to Career Military  Army  Navy  Air Force  Marines  Coast Guard On-the-Job Training Associate Degree Bachelor Degree (and beyond)

18. Straight to Career Advantages  Companies need bright, trainable, entry-level workers – especially in technical areas  Salary looks good, at first Disadvantages  Career growth may be limited  Communication skills, business knowledge, and understanding of global economy issues are vital to career advancement  Education beyond high school develop these skills  Employers look for workers who know how to continue to learn and adapt to change  Employers will hire the better-educated person Some form of education or training after high school is essential to help you achieve career success and reach your lifestyle goals

19. Military Service Full-time military service  Army  Navy  Air-Force  Marines  Coast Guard Part-time military service  National Guard  Reserves People who choose this route  Receive technical training in a career area while in the service  Eligible for government education tuition assistance after they leave the service

20. Military Service –things to think about! Must be 18 years old or older In good health U. S. citizen Service in the military includes  Serious responsibilities  Legal obligations  Major risks potential Military service is much more than an education option or a way to avoid student loans – it is a major commitment

21. On-the-Job Training (OJT) Worker learns skills for a specific career under the supervision of an experienced worker Usually combines classroom training with hands-on instruction Usually requires less time than an apprenticeship Some form of OJT is necessary for all jobs to be able to perform expertly

22. Associate Degree Associate Degree is a degree earned upon completion of a program that requires approximately two years of full- time study  Can be a final degree or a transfer degree towards a bachelors degree Can be obtained from  a technical college,  a community college, or  a university

23. When do you begin? Starting your education and training plan now is a smart move Make plans today for high school  More than 1/3 of first-year college students have to take catch-up courses in math or reading because they did not plan well in high school Begin to investigate how to pay for training and education Save time and money by planning today!

24. How to pay? Average yearly cost of attending a four year private college/university is $25,000 Average yearly cost of attending a four year public college/university is $6585 Average yearly cost of attending a two year public college is $2402 There are several ways to pay for this education after high school  Money out of your pocket  Student loans  Work-Study  Grants  Scholarships

25. Definitions Student Loan – a loan made for college or vocational training expenses; must be paid back with interest Work-Study - academic program that enables high-school or college students to gain work experience and make money while continuing their studies Grant – a form of federal or state financial aid that does not need to be repaid Scholarship - a grant of financial aid awarded to a student for the purpose of attending a college; does not have to be paid back – usually based on some established merit criteria

26. Let's find HOPE! What is HOPE?  Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally What does it take to have HOPE? Let’s find out! Go to GACollege.411.org and investigate!GACollege.411.org