Navigating the World of Work Where Do I Start?

Focus on Yourself There are thousands and thousands of occupations. Where do you start? –Start with what you know about yourself. –Focus on a major interest. –You could talk to people who work in related occupations. –Get involved in “Take Your Kid to Work” day.

How Far Do You Want to Go?

Consider… Career and Lifestyle Choices –Working hours, location, travel, work apparel, own business Education Choices –There is a direct relationship between education and work in terms of job availability and job satisfaction. Post Secondary Education Options –College, private institutions, universities …

Fields of Work Rather than focus on a specific occupation take a broader perspective. It allows you to move from the general to the specific. General Specific

Generally Accepted Fields of Work Agribusiness, Natural resources & Environment Arts, Culture & Communication Business & Administration Computers & Technology HealthManufacturing Sales & Service Tourism, Recreation & Sports Trades & Construction

Benefits of Exploring Fields of Work Many occupations within a field may suit your interests, abilities and characteristics. You may never have heard of some occupations related to your interests. New occupations are created all the time. If you focus on the field, you will hear about them. Narrowing your focus too soon means you might miss opportunities that could be great for you.

Kim’s Story Kim loved art in high school, and later completed a graphic design program at college. When she graduated she wanted to work with people, but she ended up working by herself in a cubicle. A friend suggested she apply for work at an insurance company as a salesperson. She got the job, and much to her surprise, she loved it. Kim has become a very successful insurance agent, and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

John’s Story John decided in high school that he wanted to be an automotive mechanic. He focused all his energies on his studies and took all the math, science and technology courses that his school offered. John entered college with one goal in mind-to be an auto mechanic. During his first year, John struggled with the hands-on portion of the program. He did really well

John’s Story (Con’t) In his technology courses, but just couldn’t get the hang of the tools and equipment in the shop. He had never really considered other options. He then decided to take some extra electronics courses as electives and eventually switched programs and became a successful electronics technician.

Questions 1. What aspects of themselves did Kim and John pay too little attention to? 2. What training might have been more fulfilling for Kim? 3. What advice would you have given John while he was still in high school?

Sector Councils Bring together business, labor and other interests within a particular industry. There are more than 40 sector councils in Canada. Examples- –Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council –Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters

Unions & Professional Associations Across Canada, people who do similar work are often organized into trade unions or professional associations. Purpose: provide a common voice in negotiating a contract or collective agreement for its members. Examples: –Canadian Auto Workers (Union) –Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) It is a list that describes and classifies Canadian occupations. Provides descriptions for more than 520 occupational unit groups and about 30,000 individual occupational titles.

NOC Classifies occupations in two ways: –1. Skill Type: 0 – management 1 – business, finance and administration 2 – natural and applied sciences 3 – health 4 – social science, education, government & religion 5 – art, culture, recreation and sport

NOC (Con’t) Classifies occupations in two ways: –1. Skill Type: 6 – sales and service 7 – trades, transportation, and equipment operation 8 – primary production (agriculture, fishing, mining, forestry) 9 – manufacturing and processing

NOC Classifies occupations in two ways: –2. Skill Level: university degree (graduate or undergraduate) college or technical school training; apprenticeship training high school completion; on-the-job training Short demonstration training ( no formal education requirements)

NOC Skill Level is identified numerically: –1 – professional –2 or 3 – technical; para-profesional, skilled –4 or 5 – intermediate (semi-skilled) –6 – labouring and elemental