9-2 PERSONAL ASSESSMENT Your career planning activities should start with a self assessment of your interests, values, & abilities. These three areas will help you better you better understand the careers are best for you.

Interests Provide a basis for your employment goals and possible career paths. People with strong social tendencies bay be best suited for work interacting with people. If you enjoy investigating, a career in research should be considered.

Values Values- things important to you You can begin to look at your values by answering some questions: Is it important for me to earn a lot of money? Am I mainly interested in work that provides a service for others?

Is it important for me to have occupation that others think is important even if I don’t really care for it? Do I want an occupation that is very challenging and may require additional schooling?

Would I be willing to start in a job that pays a lower salary than another job if that job was more challenging and offered better opportunities for future advancement? Do I consider investing money in education or training as important as spending for other things?

Talents and Abilities Talents- a natural, inborn aptitude to do certain things Ability- being able to perform a mental or physical task

You can learn about your abilities by: Evaluating the grades you got in the classes you have taken Which classes were easiest Which classes have been the most difficult

If you are weak in a certain area, take classes that will improve that area. Work to strengthen your weak areas before you go to full-time work

Checkpoint>> What is the difference between an interest and a talent?

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE Work-Study Programs Cooperative education combines school with work-related experience. These programs provide an occasion to develop a variety of on-the-job skills. You will also learn to interact in work settings.

Internships- work experience in organizations while learning about a career Common internships include: accounting, finance, and marketing Applying for an internship is similar to applying for a job.

Part-Time Employment Summer and part-time work can provide valuable experience. Work experience will allow you the chance to see if you enjoy a particular career field. Part-time work helps you make contacts.

Volunteer Activities Community service can help you in gaining career experience and improving work habits. Helps with organizational skills making career contacts

School Activities Class assignments can provide work-related experiences. Example: Research and communication skills are developed when you prepare reports or oral presentations.

Working on team projects offers you a chance to interact with others which is a vital skill School clubs and organizations can result in a range of valuable skills: goal setting planning supervising delegating responsibility

Checkpoint>> Of the listed methods for obtaining employment experience (work-study, part-time, volunteer, school), which one do you feel is the most beneficial for career planning and why?

SOURCES OF AVAILABLE JOBS The Media Newspaper Want Ads are a common starting point in a job search Many newspapers post employment ads on their Web sites Some newspapers have partnered with career Web sites with searchable databases of current positions

Personal Contacts Let as many people as possible know that you are looking for a job. School counselors can be very helpful. Relatives, friends, neighbors will be good sources for job leads.

Business Contacts You should visit a business and ask about their openings. Some businesses post help wanted signs in their windows. Some retail businesses including restaurants accept applications continuously.

Employment kiosk- apply online for a job Located in large stores You can also use: phone books, business directories, and Web sites to locate business contact information

Career Fairs Often held at schools or community centers Allow you to contact several potential employers in a short period of time

Government Employment Offices Local and state government employment offices give information about available jobs. Supported by tax money Employment offices can provide up-to-date information about the job market They can help you look for full-time and part-time work

Checkpoint>> What are the main sources of information about available jobs?

Please complete the Assessment Questions at the end of the packet.