Career Planning Is NOT an Option!! Keys to Planning for Career Options

FACTS…….  One third of today’s graduates fail to find stable employment by age 30.  Just getting a college degree in anything will not guarantee you a great career! –1 out of 3 Domino’s Pizza drivers has a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.  Today’s teenager can expect to change careers paths seven times.

Educational Facts  Each year, 18.3% of students in grades 7-12 don’t return to school.  88.2% of community college students don’t go on to a four year college.  52% of students attending four year schools don’t finish their degree.  Students that don’t finish their educational goals will be unprepared for the workforce

Education after High School is a necessity!!  Half of all adults (ages 35-53) are enrolled in post-secondary career-related coursework  College graduates, age 25 and over, earn nearly twice as much as workers with a high school diploma.  Students who do not follow through with their educational goals lose $420,000 over a lifetime by not completing school.

Education is a major investment!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  Tuition costs have climbed more than twice the inflation rate for the last 10 years.  Financial aid is shifting from a grant to a loan- based system, accounting for 58% of all aid.  64% of college seniors now graduate IN DEBT..a load that has doubled in the last 8 years!  42% of full time college students are employed or looking for work.  The lesson here: spend your time wisely in college !!

What Kind of Degree Should I Get?  The type of degree you have influences your employability  Technology/communications tops the list of employability skills  The top five fastest growing occupations all require a high level of computer capabilities  The careers with the most opportunity and highest salary all require at least an associate’s degree.

Do You Really Want to Get a Career by:  Luck ??? …whatever happens… happens…  Compromise ??? …..oh, well it could be worse, at least I can pay my bills…even if I hate my job!!!  Accident ??? …..do you really like being a pinball????? IF NOT…….

Make a Plan of Action 1. Find out who you are 2. Take plenty of aptitude, interests and skills tests 3. Pick a Career Pathway 4. Make plans for preparation 5. Make personal contacts

Begin by Assessing Yourself….  Be aware of your values (personal, important things)  Know your personality  Know your desired lifestyle and what it will cost.

Take Career Assessments Types of Tests  Interest Tests –Identify careers related to your selected hobbies and interests  Aptitude Tests –Identify your academic strengths/weaknesses and the connection to careers  Skills Tests Where to Take Tests  As a part of your school counseling program  Your Career Center  On-line tests

Pick a Career Pathway Business & Marketing Sales, Banking, Retail related industries Art, Communication & Media Artist, Journalist, Actor, Decorator Human Development Management & Service Teacher, Social Worker, Psychologist, Attorney Personal & Protective Services Policeman, Military, Security related industries Industrial & Engineering Engineer, Architect, Auto Mechanic Health Physician, Nurse, Medical Technician Agricultural Engineering Services Farmer, Rancher, Game Warden, Agri-business related industries

Plan for Your Career Preparation 8 th grade  Choose graduation plan  Make tentative 4 year plan of courses 9 th grade  Save your school work, records, honors and awards you have earned in school.  Decide on the High School to fit you 10 th grade  Read Sophomore handbook and attend Sophomore orientation  Take the PSAT  Pass the TAAS  Sign up for any Career Day or Intern- ship offered at your school 11 th Grade  Read Junior Handbook  Try to take Career related classes when possible  Create a resume  Get a summer job 12 th grade  Read Senior Handbook  Fill out FAFSA  College application  Scholarship searches

Make Real World Contacts  Do Volunteer work in your proposed Career Pathway  Find a mentor in your Career Pathway that can help guide you  Keep a file of business cards for professionals you meet and others who can help

Career and Technology Courses Career-Based Electives In All Curriculum Areas Pre-Employment Labs  Auto Tech  Auto Body  Building Trades  Heavy Equipment  Metal Trades  Electrical Trades  Cosmetology  Early Childhood Professions Career Prep Programs  Business CP  Family/Consumer CP  Marketing CP  Teacher CP  Trade/Industrial CP To help you develop interests and talents in various career areas To help you gain knowledge, skills and training in a specific career area. To gain expertise and practical experience in a specific career area while working and attending school

Maintain a sense of flexibility and balance  With the passage of time, you will change.  With the passage of time, the world, business, technology, and industry will change.  Make sure that you have the training, skills, and patience to change with it!!

Move out of your “comfort zone”  Don’t let “fear” (whatever your personal fear happens to be) keep you from your visions!!!  Overcoming your fears, increases your sense of personal power and enables you to achieve even more of your desires.