1. Family Economics and Financial Education Take Charge of Your Finances
Career Research
Family Economics and Financial Education
Take Charge of Your Finances

2. Why is it important to plan?
Time at work
8 hours a day
5 days a week
50 weeks a year
2,000 hours a year
Average career span- 43 years (22 yrs-65 yrs)
86,000 hours on the job
You better like what you do!!!

3. Career vs. Job What is the difference between a job and a career?
A commitment to a profession which requires continued training and offers a clear path for occupational growth
Example: Educator
Job
An employment position obtained mainly to earn money
Example: Receptionist
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised April 2008 – Career Development Unit – Career Research
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

4. Job Opportunities
Pick a career path with job opportunities in the future
Three main factors influencing future job opportunities
Population
Labor force
Demand for goods and services
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised April 2008 – Career Development Unit – Career Research
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

5. Factors
Population affects the size of the labor force, which affects the quantity of goods produced
Demand for goods and services determines employment within industries.
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised April 2008 – Career Development Unit – Career Research
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

6. Associate Degree/tech training
Education Matters
Which education level has the opportunity to earn the highest income?
career
job, career
job
Masters Degree
Bachelors Degree
Associate Degree/tech training
High school
No high school
U.S. Average Income (2008)
Type of Work
Education Level
$21,300
$29,550
$36,800
$51,568
$67,073

7. Calculate the lifetime earnings of each level of educational attainment using the table below. Have students assume each person works until 70 years of age. Other assumptions include:
The high school dropout begins full-time work at age 16.
The high school graduate begins full-time work at age 18.
The graduate of the two-year college begins full-time work at age 20.
The graduate of the four-year college begins full-time work at age 22.
The graduate with a master’s degree begins full-time work at age 24.
H.S. Dropout
H.S. Diploma
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Advanced Degree
Annual Income
$21,300
$29,550
$36,800
$51,568
$67,073
Years Worked
Life Earnings
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2005 Annual Social and Economic Supplement

8. © Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised April 2008 – Career Development Unit – Career Research
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

9. Researching a Career Questions that you should ask:
Are there opportunities for advancement?
What are the educational requirements?
Does it pay enough?
What are the working conditions?
© Family Economics & Financial Education – Revised April 2008 – Career Development Unit – Career Research
Funded by a grant from Take Charge America, Inc. to the Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona