Career Exploration

Fall 2011 Suzan Reagan, Labor Economist

Labor Market Information•Job Descriptions•Education•Wages•Employment levels•Future Growth

Labor Market Statistics

How much does Education pay?

• High school graduate earns a new Ford F-150 more every 2.4 years than a non graduate. ($22,790.00) Some College 1.6 years

Associates 1.3 yearsBachelor’s ever 8 months

Budget for “less than a high school graduate”

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Category Amount

Monthly Income $1,776

Monthly Expenses Rent: 1 bedroom -565

Utilities: water, gas, electric -114

Communication: Cell, phone, internet, cable -240

Food: groceries, eating out -250

Transportation: gasoline, bus, train, taxi, etc. -95

Clothes & Laundry: -75

Personal: Hair cuts, makeup, misc. -40

Medical: office visits doctor and dentist -50

Insurance: -125

Loans: credit cards, car payments -225

Entertainment: -60

Savings: -10

Left over -73

Why this Silly Question?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

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How you should answer

Your answer should be informed and attainable !

Why should you answer?

1. The question will go away!

2. People will start helping you

3. Goals lead to success

Researching Occupations

Your InterestWages

EducationFuture Outlook

Tools for Career Exploration

•Career Solutions : http://www.dws.state.nm.us/careersolutions/index.html

•Green Jobs Portal: http://www.greenjobs.state.nm.us/

•LASER: http://laser.state.nm.us/

•NM Workforce Connection: https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/

•National http://careeronestop.org/

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Briefly what if I make the wrong choice?

Choose an occupation to aim for…

To take away

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• Labor Market Information is statistics about jobs

• Career Exploration is a part of choosing career goals

• Education is important

Thank You!

• Suzan Reagan• E-mail suzan.reagan@state.nm.us• Phone (505) 383-2731