Career Preparation Choices 8ahscareerpreparedness.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/4/11243042/chap… · Jordan_0538444762_Ch08, 3/8/7, 14:30, page: 123 Career Preparation Choices 8 •Explain

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Career Preparation Choices8

• Explain how your goalsinfluence your choice ofeducation and training.

• Describe the educationand training optionsavailable to you.

• Describe several waysto research your careerarea.

advanced placement

articulation agreements

dual credit

Tech-Prep programs

certificate

cooperative (co-op)programs

apprenticeship

virtual learning

gap year

on-the-job training

associate degree

bachelor’s degree

A lex’s passion is airplanes. Hewants to be able to earn aliving by flying airplanes. He didresearch to help him achieve hisgoal. Alex learned that knowinghow an airport operates can helphim become a pilot. For hisschool job shadowing project, heobserved different workers at alocal airport, such as mechanics,pilots, and air traffic controllers.The job shadowing led to a part-time job. Alex became involved inevery aspect of running a smallairport—from cleaning the hang-ars to hosing down the runwaysto changing airfield lamps.

To help fulfill his dream, Alextook courses in computer-assisteddrafting (CAD) and physics.Because Alex is colorblind, hestarted saving his money to buyglasses to correct his problem ofnot being able to see the colors ofthe runway lights. He researchedhow he could get hispilot’s license dur-ing his seniorinternship.

Alex’s job at the airport grewfrom cleaning to helping themechanics. He also assisted thepilots with their flight plans andtakeoff preparations. The joballowed him to learn more aboutaviation.

When the airfield managerasked if he would like to serve asan intern to learn the in-depthoperation of an airfield, Alex wasenthusiastic. His work at theairport, classes at school, andobservations helped Alex reachhis goal of becoming a pilot. Hefollowed his passion by going toan aeronautical university andmajoring in aeronautical scienceto become a professional pilot.Alex continues to work at anairport near his school.

What do you know?How might your extracurricular activ-ities at school and in the communityhelp with your career planning?

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Finding the Right PathYou have determined your ideal careercluster and have researched some careers.You have set goals for achieving yourcareer path. Now you need to examine theeducation and training options that areavailable. By considering your options, youcan find the right path for your career.Some professional careers require at leastfour years at a college or university. Othercareers may have several different educa-tion and training options. Also, alternativeeducation options are more commontoday, even for careers that used to requiretraditional attendance at a college oruniversity.

‘‘‘‘I’m a great believer in luck, and I findthe harder I work, the more I have of it.’’

—Thomas Jefferson,President,,Dajuan has worked part-time atRutkowski’s Greenhouse since he wasfourteen. Next year he hopes to have asummer job with this large florist andgreenhouse company. In his junior year,he can begin the Tech-Prep program inhorticulture. The program will earnDajuan college credits two years beforehigh school graduation. Dajuan is con-sidering working full-time in Rutkow-ski’s nursery after he graduates fromhigh school. He learned that entry-leveltechnicians start at a high hourly rate ofpay. Dajuan is sure he would start at aneven higher salary because of his expe-rience working at the greenhouse.

Dajuan knows that another alterna-tive is to delay working full-time atRutkowski’s until he finishes an asso-ciate degree in landscape horticulturetechnology. He can continue to workpart-time while attending college full-time. The college program also is acooperative (co-op) program. Dajuanwould be paid while he worked andgained college credit at the same time.After earning his degree, he would be

eligible for higher pay and moreresponsibility at Rutkowski’s. Anotheralternative is to use Rutkowski’s tuitionreimbursement program. The companywould pay for his college tuition whilehe worked full-time. Earning a collegedegree would take Dajuan longer, buthe would not have any tuition costs.Dajuan has some serious decisionmaking to do.

How does setting your long-term goals andcreating your budget help you decide whicheducation and training option to choose foryour career path?

As you look at the education and trainingoptions available for your career path, askyourself the following questions:

• When do I want to start working?

• When should I begin the educationand training necessary for my careerchoice?

• How long will my education and trainingtake?

• How will I pay for my education andtraining?

• Do I want to combine work witheducation?

• How much money do I want to maketo meet my lifestyle goals?

• Can I continue my education andtraining after I begin working?

In Activity 8-1, ‘‘Learning from Others,’’

you interview a person about a career in

the career cluster you chose in Chapter 6.

Education and Training OptionsBefore you can determine your training andeducation path, you need to know whatoptions are available to you. Although your

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education and training path depends partlyon your career choice, you may find optionsthat you had not considered previously.By being aware of all of the different paths,you can choose the best way to reach yourcareer and lifestyle goals.

More than one education and trainingpath may allow you to reach your goal. Forexample, you might go directly from highschool to your career. While you work inyour career, you might receive on-the-jobtraining or take courses on the Internet.Your employer may even pay for advancededucation. You would receive the sameeducation and training as if you had gonefrom high school to a postsecondaryschool or to a formal training program.

Some options to consider for your edu-cation and training are available in highschool. Other options become availableafter you graduate from high school.

Career Success TipThe biggest roadblock to your careersuccess is procrastination. Set your goalsand plan for deadlines. Planning long-term will help you succeed.

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High School OptionsDifferent types of high schools offer differ-ent options for planning your career path.You need to consider those options beforeyou decide which training and educationpath best meets your career, lifestyle, andbudget goals.

High SchoolA typical high school offers programs thatcan give you a head start on the educationand training you will need for your career.Some high schools are designed with careersin mind. Those schools are divided intocareer majors. Students choose a careerpathway and take courses related to thecareer cluster. A series of courses may beavailable for careers in areas such as busi-ness, agriculture, technology, and health. Inaddition, your high school may offer college

prep courses. Those courses help prepareyou to enter a college or university.

Post-Secondary Education Options(PSEO) are courses that give you a headstart on education and training beyondhigh school. There are three major typesof PSEOs. When you take an advancedplacement course in high school, youstudy college-level material. The CollegeBoard creates the course outline and theend-of-course test. Colleges have the optionof whether to accept advanced placementcredits. Articulation agreements give youthe chance to earn dual credit , sometimescalled advancing credit. The agreements,contracts between your high school and apostsecondary school, give you credit atboth your high school and the college forspecific courses you complete at your highschool. Sometimes the articulation agree-ment states that you must receive at least aB to receive the college credit. The thirdtype of PSEO allows you to leave your highschool and take a course on the collegecampus. For you to pursue PSEO, yourfamily and your high school must agreeon the conditions that allow you to takethis option.

Career and Technical SchoolAttending a career and technical school ora specialized high school can be optionsfor all or part of your high school educa-tion. There are many types of career andtechnical education schedules. Duringhigh school, you may enroll at a careercenter; at a career academy within yourregular high school; or at a magnet, orspecialized, school. You even may take afew career and technical courses, such asdrafting or technology courses, ratherthan an entire program. With a career andtechnical major, you focus on one careerarea. Career and technical schools offercourses of study for many career areas.Academic courses such as math, English,and science may be changed to fit theneeds of a career cluster. Career andtechnical schools also have PSEOs,especially courses with articulationagreements.

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The Tech-Prep ApproachTech-Prep programs , sometimes called2þ2 programs, link the last two years ofhigh school with two years of college ortechnical school. Some students pursue the2þ2þ2 option, which leads them from ahigh school degree to an associate degreeand possibly to a bachelor’s degree.

When her family and friends wantedto find Ameera, they looked outdoors.She thrived on working with plants. Inher sophomore year in high school,Ameera talked to her biology teacher,Mr. Sabo, about turning her passion forplants into a career. Mr. Sabo suggestedthat Ameera enroll as a Tech-Prep stu-dent in horticulture. Ameera had therequired courses in math and science,nearly perfect attendance, and a highgrade point average.

Ameera’s counselor explained thatTech Prep is different from the basiccareer and technical landscaping course.With Tech Prep, Ameera would be takinghigher-level math and science courses.She could continue her experiments withplants. She could expand her research towork with hydroponics, the growing ofplants in nutrients and water. WhenAmeera completes the Tech-Prep pro-gram, she will have earned more thanone semester of advancing creditstoward an associate degree at a branchof the state university. Ameera was soldon the idea. She enrolled in the Tech-Prep program and began her collegeeducation while still in high school.

‘‘‘‘Everyone needs to be valued. Everyonehas the potential to give something back.’’

—Diana, Princess of Wales,,Tech Prep is a way of learning for studentswho have the following characteristics:

• Interest in technology and science

• Average or better math skills and suc-cessful completion of a minimum ofAlgebra I

• At least a 2.0 grade point average (oftenhigher for certain programs)

• Preference for hands-on learning

A Tech-Prep program is a partnershipbetween a secondary school, a postsecon-dary school, and business and industry.Students can complete the initial two-yearprogram in high school. Through TechPrep, students can find employment rightafter high school or make the decision toadvance in their career through furthereducation. They have the option of con-tinuing their program after high school andearning an associate degree and/or a bach-elor’s degree.

Specialized Options for High SchoolSeveral specialized education and trainingoptions may be available to you while youare in high school. Certification programs,internships, cooperative programs, andapprenticeships all combine education andwork experience. Each option emphasizeswork and education in different ways. Theresults of your experience will be differentfor each option.

Certification Course or ProgramYou can achieve the skills required forsome careers in a certification course orprogram. When you complete the coursesin the program, you take a test to receivea certificate. The certificate is an officialdocument that proves you have success-fully completed the specific coursecontent and have the necessary skills forthat area of your career. The certificateshows an employer that you have special-ized skills and can perform a certain job.Certificates are possible for many careerareas, including cosmetology, culinary arts,welding, business, construction, andchildcare.

Santana is passionate about technology,particularly computers. She knows hercareer will be in the Business, Manage-ment, and Administration career cluster.She loves courses that increase herknowledge of technology. The nearby

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career and technical campus offers acareer major in various types of infor-mation technology. However, Santanathinks that attending the career andtechnical school might limit her highschool activities, which are very impor-tant to her. She enjoys being a cheer-leader and a member of her school’sservice learning organization. If prac-tices and meetings take place during theschool day and she attends the careerand technical school, Santana will not beable to participate in those activities.

Santana’s counselor, Mrs. Irvine,suggested an alternative. Depending onwhether she wanted to work with com-puter software or hardware, Santanacould take Microsoft Office Specialist(MOS) or Aþ computer service techni-cian certification courses during herjunior year of high school. Santana couldcomplete the course work in one yearand transfer to the career and technicalschool her senior year for additionalspecialization.

Santana also could choose to stay ather high school and complete the coursework over two years. The course optionswould allow her to pursue her activities.In addition, if she wanted to start hercareer by working full-time or part-timeafter high school graduation, she wouldqualify for a position higher than entry-level.

High schools and postsecondary schoolsoffer certification classes and programs.Traditional high schools may offer a fewclasses. Career and technical schools offer awider variety. Classes may be held in aclassroom setting or offered online. Checkthe quality of the school giving the certifi-cate. If you want to earn an industry-accepted certificate, find out what percent-age of students taking the course earn thecertificate. If a large percentage of studentsenter a course but do not pass the test, youmay decide that the school is not the rightplace for you.

InternshipAs described in Chapter 3, an internship is aprogram that provides practical experienceworking in a specific career. As an intern,you may work after school or during thesummer. If the internship is a required partof a class, you may be granted release timefrom school to work at the internship.Although you may not get paid, an intern-ship provides you with the experience ofworking in your career field.

In addition, an internship gives you theopportunity to research the company andcareer before you commit to further edu-cation or training. As an intern, you learnabout the work environment, the equip-ment used, the relationships betweenworkers and supervisors, and the dresscode. An internship also may lead to a part-time or full-time job after you graduate.People who intern often are more satisfiedwith their career choice. Many are still inthe same career and company five yearsafter the internship has ended.

Your school may arrange an internshipin partnership with a local company. If aninternship is not available in your careerfield or if you do not qualify for theprogram at your school, you can plan aninternship on your own. Talk to the owneror manager of a business. Offer to work forno pay in exchange for acquiring experi-ence in your field. If the business owner isunfamiliar with internships, you may haveto convince him or her that you will workhard and that the internship will benefit the

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business. Even if you do not earn credit,an internship is valuable for gaining skillsand experience that classes cannot provide.

Cooperative ProgramCooperative (co-op) programs combinestudies with paid work experiences in aspecific career field. Co-op programs areavailable in high schools and colleges. Inmany college programs, students alternatework with school by working full-time forone term and attending school the nextterm. In most high school programs, stu-dents attend classes at school for part of theday and work at their co-op employers forthe rest of the school day. Students receiveschool credit for participating in a co-opprogram and are paid for their work at theco-op employer.

In a co-op program, you see how yourclass work relates to your work experience.You apply the skills you learn in the class-room to an actual job in your career area.

‘‘‘‘Luck is preparation meeting the momentof opportunity.’’

—Oprah Winfrey

Producer, actor, and activist,,Mitch was not sure what age of childrenhe wanted to work with—whether toteach in a preschool or an elementaryschool. He needed to decide soon becausehe had to plan his course schedule,keeping his career major in mind. Mitch’sparents suggested that he participate inhis high school’s cooperative program inearly childhood education. Mitch learnedthat the co-op program would give himexperience working with children ofdifferent ages. The experience could helphim determine his career focus.

Mitch began the co-op program thenext semester. He went to English andhis other classes in the morning. The restof the school day he spent at the co-opprogram. Each week Mitch spent fourdays at his co-op work experience andone day in his child development class.Each student in the program rotated inthree-month shifts, working as a pre-school aide, as an assistant in an ele-mentary after-school latchkey program,and as a tutor for young children withspecial needs. Mitch enjoyed the course.He is sure his career will be in earlychildhood education.

Co-op programs involve a formal agree-ment between the student, the school, andthe employer. Usually, the three parties signan agreement that outlines the responsibil-ities of each participant. The agreementmay include the following points:

• The job description and the work hours

• The methods used by the school, theemployer, and the student to monitorand evaluate the student’s progress

• The payment the student will receive

You should develop a training plan with theschool and the employer that outlines the

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skills, knowledge, and goals you expect.Co-op programs increase your classroomlearning, improve your career opportuni-ties, and provide career experiences as youearn money.

Both internships and co-op programsrequire planning on your part. You need tofind a work site that relates to your careerpath. The employer also should provideuseful work experience. Research theorganization’s employee guidelines. Thoseguidelines, such as the dress code, absenteepolicy, and in-house use of technology,apply to you as well. Keep track of what youdid during your experience. You will needthe information for future education andwork situations. You also will need todocument the details for your resume. Ifyou work closely with a supervisor, youmay develop a mentor relationship—andfind that you also have a reference.

Career Success TipThink long-term. You limit your careeroptions when you do not have educationand training beyond high school. Eighty-five percent of careers require educationbeyond high school.

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ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship is a program in which aperson works for a skilled worker to learn atrade. At one time, an apprenticeship wasthe only way a person could learn sometrades. You can work as an apprentice inmany different types of industries, not justthe construction and manufacturingindustries, which often are linked withapprenticeships. For example, through anapprenticeship program, you can train for acareer in the culinary industry or as anX-ray equipment tester.

Some apprenticeship programs areinformal arrangements between a workerand an employer. However, most appren-ticeships are registered state or federalgovernment programs. Registered pro-grams must meet government standards.Because the government oversees them, the

programs provide high-quality training andprotect the safety of apprentices. Addition-ally, most apprenticeships are union agree-ments. The union, not the business forwhich you work, employs you. In fact, yourwork site may change when you finish a job.

For some trades, you can begin appren-ticeship training while you are still in highschool. A career and technical program canlead to a journey-worker program after highschool. That type of apprenticeship usuallyrequires two years in high school and up tofour years after high school. Some tradesrequire completion of high school. Thoseprograms can take up to six years to com-plete. With either option, you receive hun-dreds of hours of on-the-job training andhundreds of hours in the classroom. Youearn money while you work. As you learnthe trade and require less supervision, yourpay gradually increases.

The Internet is a tool you can use to exploreeducation and training options.

Access www.thomsonedu.com/school/iycand click the link for Chapter 8. Investigate atleast two categories of education/training.Answer the questions below for each site youinvestigate. Relate your answers to yourcareer cluster from Chapter 6.

1. What are the benefits of the education/training?

2. What are some drawbacks to this type ofeducation/training?

3. How can this education/training give you astart on your career?

Virtual LearningVirtual learning , sometimes called dis-tance learning, takes place primarily overthe Internet. A teacher communicates withstudents through e-mails and sometimeschat rooms set up for class discussion.Virtual learning makes education andtraining available without the restrictionsof time and space. You can work anywhere



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Internet access is available—at any time.The teacher and the other students takingthe course may be thousands of miles away.

Virtual learning is increasing as analternative to traditional postsecondaryschools. Students can balance the demandsof work and family while pursuing addi-tional education. A survey by the U.S.Department of Education predicts that by2025, 10 percent of public colleges and50 percent of independent colleges willclose as students turn to distance learning,bypassing the traditional classroom. Highschool students also are taking advantage ofvirtual learning as an option for acquiringskills and training.

Virtual learning is not for everyone.Often there is little personal contactbetween the teacher and students. If youhave strong time management skills andcan work independently, virtual learningmay be a good option for you. Always checkthe quality of the course or school beforeyou start a virtual learning opportunity.

Options beyond High SchoolAfter you graduate from high school, manyeducation and training options are avail-able to you. Analyze your options whilethinking of your chosen career, your life-style goals, and your budget requirements.Besides the following options, some of thehigh school options discussed previouslyare available after you graduate. Co-opprograms are available in colleges and uni-versities. Career and technical schools haveone- or two-year postsecondary trainingcourses and certification programs. In addi-tion, distance learning or an apprenticeshipprogram may provide the training you want.

Gap YearA gap year is a year between high schoolgraduation and the start of college. Stu-dents take a gap year for various reasons,including travel, internships, work, andvolunteer service. It is not a year spentdoing nothing, but is focused on a purpose.

The option of students taking a gap yearis becoming popular. According to Haiglerand Nelson in their book The Gap-Year

Advantage, the benefits of a gap yearinclude helping students gain confidenceand focus. The result is that students con-centrate more in college.

If you are considering a gap year, askyourself these questions:

• What are your goals for taking a gapyear?

• Will you apply for college your senioryear and defer, or delay, your admission?(If you explain your situation, somecolleges will allow deferred admission.)

• Will you use the time off to help youdecide where to focus your educationafter your gap year?

• What research will you do to preparefor your gap year?

• Are you committed to the purpose ofthe gap year, or are you thinking ofit as just a chance to take some time off?

The gap year is something to considerwhile you are planning your future. The

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results of a well-planned gap year may helpyou learn more about your career andlifestyle goals.

Straight to CareerIf you answer yes to the following ques-tions, you might consider going directlyfrom high school to a career: Do youwant to begin working right after yougraduate from high school so you canearn money and become independent?Are you impatient to be finished with yourschooling? Do you want to stop goingto school after you graduate from highschool?

Some companies encourage studentsto take this path. These companies needbright, trainable, entry-level workers,especially in technical areas. The highsalaries available to students two or threeyears after they leave high school areappealing. Many high school graduateswho, in the past, would have gone on topostsecondary education are now joiningthe workforce right after high school.

However, if you follow this path, youmay learn eventually that the disadvantagesof going straight to a career outweigh thebenefits. Without additional education,

your opportunities for career growthmay be limited. Your technical skillsalone will not determine your careersuccess. Communication skills,business knowledge, and an under-

standing of global economicissues are vital to career

advancement.Employers look for

workers who know how tocontinue to learn and who

can adapt to change. Edu-cation beyond high school

helps you develop those skills.Employers know this and,given a choice, will hire thebetter-educated person.Some employers will pay foryour education while youwork full-time. Some formof education or trainingafter high school is

essential to help you achieve career successand reach your lifestyle goals.

Military ServiceFor some people, joining a branch of themilitary after high school is an option worthconsidering. They receive technical trainingwhile in the service. In addition, they areeligible for government education tuitionassistance after they leave the service.

When Ethan began his career planning,he knew exactly what his career directionwould be. He wanted to be an engineer,specifically a chemical engineer. Healways enjoyed research, especially theproblem-solving aspects of science andmath. Ethan knew that his career choicerequired at least a bachelor’s degree. Healso realized that he would have to workwhile he was in school so he could payfor his tuition and school expenses.Ethan knew it would be hard for him towork in his career field and attend schoolat the same time.

Ethan talked to an Army recruiter. Hefound that the Army would pay for hisschooling while he worked in areassimilar to his future career goal. Inexchange, Ethan would agree to enlist inthe Army for several years. Ethan likedthe idea of serving his country whileworking toward his career goal. After anin-depth discussion, he and his parentsdecided the military was a good optionfor him. The Army would provide Ethanwith experience to help him on his wayto a career in the field of chemicalengineering.

Several options are available for militaryservice. In addition to the full-time militarybranches—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,and Coast Guard—you can investigate theNational Guard and the Reserves. To enlist,youmust be a high school graduate, 18 yearsold, in good health, and a U.S. citizen. Alsomake sure you have a clear understandingof the serious responsibilities, legal obliga-tions, and major potential risks of enlist-ment. Military service is much more thanan education option or a way to avoid

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student loans. Military service is a life-changing commitment that can, for some,become a rewarding career.

On-the-Job TrainingOn-the-job training (OJT) is one way tocontinue your education while you work. Inon-the-job training , you learn skills for aspecific career under the supervision of anexperienced worker. Often OJT combinessome type of classroom training withhands-on instruction. OJT may take onlya few days or may take a year or more.It usually requires less time than anapprenticeship.

Some form of OJT is necessary fornearly all jobs. An employer hires youbecause he or she believes you have theskills and ability needed to learn how toperform a job. Regardless of your trainingand education background, employers donot expect you to be able to perform a jobexpertly on your first day. Take advantageof any OJT opportunities. Additional train-ing and education will help you achievesuccess.

Do the traditional ways that people preparefor a career in your chosen field apply to you?Why or why not?

Associate DegreeAn associate degree is a degree earnedupon completion of a program that usuallyrequires the equivalent of two or more yearsof full-time study. The degree can be a finaldegree or a transfer degree for completinga bachelor’s degree. The following educa-tion and training options can lead to anassociate degree:

• Tech-Prep programs begin in highschool and continue at a communitycollege.

• Some career and technical schools offerboth certification and associate degreeprograms. Depending on the career area,one or two years of study are required.

• Some apprenticeship programs issue anassociate degree when the apprentice-ship is complete. Depending on theapprenticeship area, the degree mayrequire up to six years of a combinationof training and paid work.

• A community college or university issuesan associate degree upon a student’sgraduation. The degree usually requiresat least two years of full-time study.

An associate degree is enough postsecondaryeducation and training formany careers. Forexample,medical and veterinary technicians,computer service technicians, drafters,welders, and construction managers mayneed only an associate degree.

An associate degree is a way to preparefor a specific career. Also, if you decide youwant more education after earning anassociate degree, a college or universityoften will give you credit for courses youhave taken in earning your degree. Mostcolleges have partnering arrangements withother colleges or universities, allowing foreasy transfer of credits.

If you are thinking about attending acommunity college to transfer later to abachelor’s program, plan your transfer aheadof time. Talk to an adviser and focus on thefuture. The average tuition of a public asso-ciate degree program is less than half the costof a bachelor’s degree program. Also, admis-sion into a community college may be easierthan admission into a bachelor’s degreeprogram. The university may not accept you.However, transferring with an associatedegree from one of its branch campuses is away to gain entrance to the university in twoor three years. The savings in time andmoney may be worth the transfer.

‘‘‘‘You have to expect things of yourselfbefore you can do them.’’

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Bachelor’s Degree and BeyondA bachelor’s degree is a degree title issuedby a college or university to a person whohas completed undergraduate studies.Some careers require a bachelor’s degree,which often takes between four and six ormore years to earn. According to theBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), only15 percent of careers require graduate workafter a bachelor’s degree is earned. Abachelor’s degree provides a well-roundededucation.

Colleges and universities vary in thetypes of education and training they pro-vide. Some colleges offer students a generaleducation rather than training for a specificcareer. Other colleges provide specializededucation in some career fields, such asartistic or hospitality careers. Most largeuniversities offer both—a general educationand training in certain career areas. Most

importantly, keep in mind that college isnot a career. You need to have a definitecareer goal that a college or universityeducation will enhance.

The value of a college degree is clear.Starting salaries are often higher for collegegraduates. Lifetime earnings are muchgreater for people with bachelor’s degreesthan for those who have earned only a highschool diploma. For each year of educationyou add, you increase your lifetime earn-ings an average of 10 percent. In addition,employers often prefer to hire candidateswith well-rounded backgrounds and collegedegrees, even if a degree does not apply to aspecific job.

Activity 8-2, ‘‘Working with Options,’’

helps you relate the various education

and learning options to your career cluster.

Mechanical Engineer Technician

Since he was nine years old, MikeSheridan has loved auto racing. As aboy, he went to the Indianapolis 500 withhis father. Now he is a technical supportengineer interning with Panther Racing. Aspart of the Indiana University-Purdue Uni-versity Indianapolis mechanical engineer-ing program, the one-year certificateprogram in motorsports engineering tech-nology provides Mike with real-world expe-rience that puts him a step abovetraditional engineering students.

Mike works 50-hour weeks in his intern-ship. He collects data on nearly every partof the race cars—from tire temperature toairbag balance. Mike knows the cars fromthe inside out. He strips them to theframe, makes design suggestions, and

tests proto-types. Whatcan Mike do

after he finishes the program? He hopesto work in NASCAR motorsports. Aftercompleting the program, Mike can godirectly into his career or transfer into amotorsports engineering bachelor’sprogram.

Mike and his father shared apassion, a passion that Mikenow fulfills in hiscareer. What couldbe more excitingthan watching yourchildhood passionbecome your careerdream?

For more information about:

• Panther Racing

• NASCAR

access www.thomsonedu.com/school/iycand click the appropriate links.

Source: Ashley M. Heher, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 October 2006; www.prism-magazine.org/sept06/tt_04.cfm.

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Planning Your PathAfter you analyze your education and train-ing options, you can begin to think about thepath to take for your career and lifestylegoals. Research your career cluster beforeyou make any final decisions about yourchoice of career. Begin your research by:

• Finding all of the ways people prepare fora career in your cluster. Check web sitesfor industries. Use specialized resourcessuch as the BLS and career informationsystems provided by your school.

• Checking with employers to find outwhat they look for when evaluating jobcandidates in your career cluster.

• Asking successful people in your careerfield which parts of their educationand training were most helpful andwhat they would change. Find out whythey think their education and trainingmade them successful.

Activity 8-3, ‘‘Pros and Cons,’’ helps you

analyze options available to you after

high school.

Career FactMath is a very useful college major.Teachers and accountants are not the onlypeople who earn a degree in math. Mathis a major part of the business world. Bytaking four years of math in high schooland adding more technology skills, youcan enjoy a career in many industries.

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Take advantage of the opportunities offeredby your school to explore your career clus-ter. For example, your school may sponsora career day where you can listen to speak-ers who have jobs in your career field. Youmay be able to attend a career fair and askquestions of businesspeople at variousbooths. Listen to speakers at career days tolearn about careers in your career cluster.Ask the speakers questions about the edu-cation and training needed for the careers

you chose. If possible, make an appointmentwith a speaker for an informational inter-view and possible job shadowing.

Job shadowing and service learning alsocan provide you with valuable informationabout your choice of career. Your schoolmay help you arrange your job shadowingassignment. By job shadowing an employeein your career area, you can see what thecareer involves. You can decide whether thecareer would be a satisfying one for you.Take advantage of any job shadowingopportunities offered to you.

If your school or community has servicelearning projects, you should take advantageof the experience. Service learning allowsyou to give to your community as you learnfrom the people you help. Also, a servicelearning project can help you explore vari-ous careers in your career cluster.

A final way to help you research yourcareer area is to find a part-time job relatedto your career cluster. You can not onlyearn money, but also gain experience inyour career field. However, be careful thatyour part-time job does not cause yourgrades to suffer or does not get in the wayof spending time with your family.

Starting your education and trainingplan now is a smart move. More than one-third of first-year college students have totake remediation ‘‘catch-up’’ courses inmath or reading before they can start theircollege courses. Why? Because the studentsdid not plan well in high school. Save timeand money by planning ahead.

Employers also want the same high-levelskills as universities want. More states areadding a workforce readiness test or docu-ment to high school graduation require-ments. If you graduate with the skills anemployer and a college want, you should beable to choose the best education or train-ing option for your career path.

The Case Challenges give you the oppor-

tunity to analyze situations and deter-

mine appropriate education plans.

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Assessment Chapter 8

* Summary• I can explain how my goals influence

my choice of education and training.My career and lifestyle goals and mybudget requirements will influence myeducation and training options. As Iconsider my education and trainingoptions, I need to determine when Iwant to start working, when I need tobegin the education and training neces-sary for my career choice, how muchmoney I want to make, whether I wantto combine work with education, andwhether I will be able to continue myeducation and training after I beginworking.

• I can describe the education andtraining options available to me.High school options include a regularhigh school, a career and technicalschool, and a Tech-Prep program. Spe-cialized options for high school includea certification course or program, aninternship, a cooperative program, anapprenticeship, and virtual learning.

Options beyond high school include agap year, a direct step to a career, on-the-job training, military service, anassociate degree, and a bachelor’sdegree and beyond. The divisionbetween high school courses and collegecourses is blending into options forstudents during high school. Examplesinclude on-the-job training during theschool day and college PSEO courses.

• I can describe several ways toresearch my career area.I can research my career area by check-ing web sites and career informationsystems, by talking with employers tofind out how they evaluate job candi-dates, and by talking to successful peoplein my career cluster. I also can takeadvantage of opportunities offered by myschool and community, such as careerdays, career fairs, job shadowing experi-ences, and service learning programs.Finally, I can find a part-time job relatedto my career field.



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* Vocabulary BuilderChoose the term that best fits thedefinition.

a. advanced placement

b. apprenticeship programs

c. articulation agreements

d. associate degree

e. bachelor’s degree

f. certificate

g. co-operative (co-op)

h. dual credit

i. gap year

j. on-the-job training

k. Tech-Prep programs

l. virtual learning

1. A degree issued by a college or universityto a person who has completed under-graduate studies for at least four years

2. A degree earned upon completion of aprogram that usually requires two ormore years

3. Sometimes called 2þ2 programs, theylink the last two years of high schoolwith two years of community college ortechnical school

4. Courses in high school that are college-level material

5. Sometimes called distance learning, ittakes place primarily over the Internet

6. An official document that proves youhave successfully completed specificcourse content with a specific set ofskills

7. Allows an employee to learn skills for aspecific career under the supervisionof an experienced worker

8. Combine studies with paid workexperiences in a specific career field

9. A year between high school graduationand the start of college that is takenfor a specific reason

10. A program in which a person works fora skilled worker to learn a trade whileearning pay

11. Contracts between your high schooland a postsecondary school that giveyou credit at your high school and thecollege for specific courses completedat your high school

12. Advancing credit that gives you creditat your high school and a college forspecific courses completed at your highschool

* Review What You Have Learned1. What are some of the questions you

need to ask yourself when consideringeducation and training options?

2. What is the difference between aregular high school and a career andtechnical high school?

3. What are the advantages of a Tech-Prep program?

4. Why take a certification course orprogram?

5. What is the difference between aninternship and a co-op program?

6. What is the advantage of taking acourse using virtual learning?

7. Why might you want to take a gap year?

8. What is an advantage of going directlyfrom high school to a career? What is adisadvantage?

9. Joining the military means what benefitsto you? What commitments from you?

10. Why would you choose the option ofon-the-job training?

11. What is the difference between an asso-ciate degree and a bachelor’s degree?

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* ActivitiesActivity 8-1 Learning from Others

Interview a person in the careercluster you chose in Chapter 6.If possible, choose someone who

works in one of the careers youresearched for the NET Bookmark inChapter 6. Your teacher, counselor, orfamily can help you find a person tointerview in person or over the telephone.Use the following questions as the start-ing point of your interview:

• What is your job title? Describe atypical day at your job.

• How did you start in this career?

• What was your educational pathwayto your career?

• How has your career field changedsince you started in it?

• In what ways do you find your careersatisfying?

• What frustrations do you experiencein your career?

• What personal characteristics do peo-ple need in order to be successful inyour career?

• What are the most important skillsneeded for success in your work?

• What additional learning do you expectyou will need to remain successfuland to advance in your field?

• If you could do it over again, would youchange your career? If so, how? Why?

• If you could do it over again, would youchange the way you prepared for yourcareer? If so, how? Why?

• What advice would you give to a personconsidering this career?

• What advice would you offer students tohelp them make good career choices?

• What do you do on a typical workday?

• How do you see your career fieldchanging over the next ten years?

• How do you see yourself advancing inyour career field over the next ten years?

Activity 8-2 Working with OptionsFor each education and training optionlisted below, describe a career from thecareer cluster you chose in Chapter 6.The education or training option shouldbe a type that fits that career.

1. Career and technical program

2. Tech-Prep program

3. Co-op program

4. On-the-job training

5. Apprenticeship

6. Certificate program

7. Associate degree

8. Bachelor’s degree

Activity 8-3 Pros and ConsIdentify the pros and cons for each of thefollowing options available to you afterhigh school. Use two careers you chose inChapter 6.

• Taking a gap year

• Getting an education in your community

• Going to a career and technical school

• Working as an apprentice

• Working full-time

• Joining a family business

• Leaving your community for youreducation

• Graduating with an associate degree

• Taking courses for a master’s degree



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* Case ChallengesWorking in a small group,choose the type of educationthat would be most valuable

for each student in the following cases.Explain the reasons for your choices.You may choose more than one answer.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Tech-Prep program

• Associate degree

• Military service

• Internship

• Career and technical school

• Apprenticeship program

• Co-op program

1. Sasha plans to become a graphic artistas soon as possible. She enjoys creatingsmall projects for her family andfriends. She wants the technicalexpertise to start her career now, beforehigh school graduation. In the future,Sasha wants to be a web designer.

2. José believes that a career as a book-keeper would be perfect for him. Hedoes not expect ever to want to becomean accountant. However, José is notsure about the job descriptions ofthe careers. He also has heard thatthe term bookkeeper might not be anup-to-date job title.

3. Danielle expects to become a veteri-narian. Science is her best subject.However, she knows that there aremany types of veterinarian careers.Some careers include working withsmall and/or large animals or special-izing in one type of animal. There also

are many places she can work, suchas a racetrack, an emergency vet clinic,a zoo, or an animal shelter. Daniellemay choose to be a veterinary assistant.

4. Tresa would like to be a hairstylist.She creates unique styles for herfriends for special occasions. Tresaknows that she wants to own her ownsalon someday, but she needs cosme-tology training first.

5. Saida always liked babysitting. Hersummer job is working as a nanny for aset of triplets. She also teaches begin-ning swimming classes to children inthe evening. Saida hopes to become anelementary school teacher.

6. Kacee cannot wait to live on her own soshe can have her beloved turtles withher. She wants at least one dog, onethat she does not have to share with herfamily. If she could, she would open akennel for the many dogs she wouldlike to own—and take care of otherpeople’s animals. However, she isfamiliar only with turtles and a fewbreeds of dogs. Kacee knows she mustexpand her knowledge about animals.

7. Terrell has loved science his whole life.In elementary school, he received amicroscope for Christmas. He exam-ined just about everything he couldview on a slide. Chemistry and biologyare his favorite subjects. Terrell won ascholarship for his science fair project.He had a nearly perfect SAT score,scoring highest in math and science.Terrell knows that his education planincludes college with some type ofscience major.

138 Part 3 Planning


Chapter 8: Career Preparation ChoicesFinding the Right PathEducation and Training OptionsPlanning Your PathSummaryVocabulary BuilderReview What You Have LearnedActivitiesCase Challenges

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Career Preparation Choices 8ahscareerpreparedness.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/4/11243042/chap… · Jordan_0538444762_Ch08, 3/8/7, 14:30, page: 123 Career Preparation Choices 8 •Explain