Career and Financial Management Career Expectations

Objectives  List factors to consider when choosing a career  Discover personal career expectations and explore international job outlook  Identify the relationship between education and wage

What Do You Need to Know? What career questions remain unanswered?

Career Characteristics Values Work Hours Salary and Benefits Tasks and Responsibilities Aptitudes and Abilities Career Outlook Work Environment Education and Training International Career Outlook

Values  What do people working in a particular career care about?  A career’s values should match your own

Tasks and Responsibilities  Determine what you will you be doing each day  What tasks will you perform each day?  Is the job fast-paced? High pressure?  How will your day be structured?  Will I primarily use my brain or my body?  What challenges are associated with my job?

Work Environment  What will your work environment be like?  Physical surroundings  Social surroundings  Spend a large amount of time at work 40 hrs/wk 52 weeks 2080 hrs/yr

Work Hours  Not all jobs are from 9 AM – 5 PM  Are you at your best in the morning? At night?  Restaurant workers  Flextime  Work four ten-hour days and have a three day weekend  Telecommute

Aptitudes and Abilities  Identify aptitudes and abilities required for the career  Match your natural talents with career requirements

Education and Training  Different levels of education needed for careers, even in the same field  Two-year associate degree  Four-year bachelor’s  Technical license or certificate  Be aware of time, money, and effort required for various careers

Salary and Benefits  How much money will you make?  Hourly rate, weekly salary, yearly salary  What additional benefits will be offered?  Health insurance, paid vacation, holiday time, retirement plans, bonuses, discounts, etc.  Depends on field, position, and level of education

Career Outlook  Know the future demand for work in your career  Growth or decline?  Options if career is in an area of decline 1. Gain additional education and work experience to be competitive 2. Look for a similar or related career

Career Outlook

International Career Outlook  More careers involve working internationally  Live in or travel to other countries for work  If interested in international careers  Research using the library and Internet  Work on communications skills and interpersonal skills

The Bottom Line Career Characteristics  Values  Tasks and Responsibilities  Work Environment  Work Hours  Aptitudes and Abilities  Education and Training  Salary and Benefits  Career Outlook  International Career Outlook

Why Finish High School?  Half of students who do not finish high school will not find work  Of those who find work, their jobs are usually temporary or part-time

Careers and Education  Most jobs require postsecondary education and training  Length of education and training depends on the career  On average, paid more than those who do not pursue postsecondary education EducationTraining$$$

Postsecondary Education Options

Certificates  Certificate of Completion  Develop a specific skill or trained in a specific career  Earned at technical/vocational schools and community colleges  Earned in 2 years or less

Associate’s Degree  Associate’s Degree  Careers in technical or vocational fields  Typically earned at community colleges  Earned in 2 years or less  Credits can count toward a bachelor’s degree

Bachelor’s Degree  Bachelor’s Degree (undergraduate degree)  Take courses in core subjects and courses related to major  Earned at a college or university in 4-5 years  Prepares students for a good career and necessary for an advanced degree

Master’s Degree  Master’s Degree  Can advance a career and is required for some professions  Earned at a graduate college  Must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and complete undergraduate courses  Usually takes at least 2 years to complete

Doctoral and Professional Degrees  Doctoral Degree  Follows the Master’s degree  Minimum of 3 to 5 years to complete  Professional Degrees  Graduate degrees in the fields of law, business, and medicine

Education Pays

How Will You Pay?  Postsecondary education and training is a big investment  Financial aid can help with education costs in the form of:  Scholarships  Grants  Loans  Work-study programs  Being well informed about education costs and aid will help you make good decisions

The Bottom Line