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 are2. 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

8th gradeChoose graduation planMake tentative 4 year plan of courses

9th gradeSave your school work, records, honors and awards you have earned in school.Decide on the High School to fit you

10th gradeRead Sophomore handbook and attend

Sophomore orientationTake the PSAT Pass the TAASSign up for any Career Day or Intern-

ship offered at your school

11th GradeRead Junior HandbookTry to take Career related classes

when possibleCreate a resumeGet a summer job

12th gradeRead Senior HandbookFill out FAFSACollege applicationScholarship 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 LabsAuto TechAuto BodyBuilding TradesHeavy EquipmentMetal TradesElectrical TradesCosmetologyEarly Childhood Professions

Career Prep ProgramsBusiness CP Family/Consumer CPMarketing CPTeacher CPTrade/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.