Even if you don’t know what you want to do you probably expect to make a lot of money or travel the world.

Teenagers have the following expectations for their careers:› Almost all expect to have a high-status job w/high

pay› 80% expect to graduate with a bachelor’s degree› Many believe that a bachelor’s degree is a vital

tool to success› 70% expect to earn an advanced degree such as a

master’s, Ph.D or MD

When you know your strengths & learn about career possibilities you will set higher goals and choose a more fulfilling career

Advice from others is helpful but building a successful career will depend on how you use your strengths

Students 13-17 are most likely to choose these as their top career choices:› Teacher (top female choice)› Doctor› Lawyer› Sports Field (top male choice)› Science/Technology

Top 10 fastest growing jobs between 2004 – 2014 are:› Home Health Aide› Network/Data Communications› Medical Assistant› Physician's Assistant› Computer Software Applications Engineer› Physical Therapy Assistant› Dental Hygienist› Computer Software Systems Engineer› Dental Assistant› Personal Care Provider

Always put your education and training first

Job – a paid position involving a specific place & time & specific task set by the employer

A job is often temporary After age 25 a person may change jobs

an average of 10 -15 times through out his/her life time

Occupation – a specific set of skills that requires special training, education or experience

People in an occupation may consider it as a job or as a career

So a person trained in engineering is an engineer even if they are not currently employed in that area.

Career – A lifetime work history or long-term participation in a particular field

A career is not just a way to earn a living but an important & positive part of your lives

Career Cluster – all possible careers in a subject area

No matter what career cluster you choose you will always start with an entry-level position.

Research shows people who enjoy their careers are more satisfied with their lives

The closer your career is to your talents & passion the more satisfied you will be

Finding a satisfying career requires planning and thoughtful decisions

Knowing yourself is key to discovering your career

Base your choice on your passions & talents

Goals change over time, but the things you enjoy doing and talents you have do not

P – Passion: This refers to the strong positive feeling you experience while enjoying something› What are your favorite activities?› What do you choose to do in your spare

time?

A – Attitude: This refers to the way you feel about something› A good attitude can help you achieve

anything

T – Talents: Natural strengths and abilities› By choosing a career that matches your

talents you can expand your strengths to create your path

H – Heart: refers to what you believe is important to your life choice› What are my values?› Who & What are important influences in

your life?

Employers expect you to be independent In the competitive job market you need

two types of skills:› Transferable Skills: Communication,

Problem Solving, Setting Goals, Use a computer, Work as a team & lead

› Non-Transferable Skills: Writing programming code, ability to operate a specific machine

A board skill base gives you more choices & flexibility in your working lives

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it

Be flexible as you carry out your career plan

A plan allows you to be in charge You make your own luck Do something that makes you happy

and productive

Setting goals provides motivation to finish high school and direct your future education & training

Not having a plan is a direct cause of student’s problems

1 out of 5 students will not complete high school

1/3 of students who start college don’t finish Planning is realistic Truth makes you better prepared to reach

your hopes and dreams