Chapter 16Chapter 16

Learning About Careers

I. Basic Job FactorsI. Basic Job Factors

• --choosing a career is important to your future happiness and success

• --making the right choice involves several factors

A. Job Duties and A. Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

• 1. duties--what tasks you do at work• 2. traits--noteworthy characteristics• a. ability to plan and organize• b. memory for details• c. desire to help people• d. ability to persuade• *Certain jobs require certain traits!!!!!

B. Job ProspectsB. Job Prospects

• 1. After you choose a career:• a. will there be any jobs in this field for

me????• b. will this area continue to grow???• c. can I advance in this career?????

C. Education, Training, and SkillsC. Education, Training, and Skills

• 1. must know how much of each you will need• 2. Education and training requirements for:• a. entry-level jobs: require no previous training• b. advanced training: some job skills are needed• --career and technical program• --community college• c. college degree: a 4 year degree is required• --bachelor’s degree (4 year)• --master’s degree• --doctoral degree•

• d. license/certification• --teacher• --lawyer• --physician

• **Look at example for dental hygienist on middle of page 203

• 1. Know how much you want to make before selecting a career

• 2. entry-level = lower paying• 3. degrees = higher paying• 4. union workers = contract• 5. want to make more money? ---GET

PROMOTED!

D. Salary and Fringe BenefitsD. Salary and Fringe Benefits

• 6. pay• a. hourly--40 hours/week• b. overtime--any time after 40 hours/week• c. salary--paid over 1 year• --may have to work more hours • 7. fringe benefits• a. sick time, vacations, health benefits,

insurance, pension• b. they are just as important or more important

as money

• 1. Is there opportunity for advancement inside the company?

• 2. Does the company fill openings by promoting its employees, or by hiring outsiders?

• 3. Is there opportunity for advancement outside the firm because of rapid growth in the field?

E. Advancement OpportunitiesE. Advancement Opportunities

• 1. how far are you willing to travel?

• 2. cost of living: rent, food, travel, and living expenses

• 3. choose a place with a good environment

• *Read Box on page 206

F. Work Location and F. Work Location and EnvironmentEnvironment

• A. Department of Labor Publications

• 1. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles

• 2. The Occupational Outlook Handbook

• 3. The guide for Occupational Exploration

II. Obtaining Career II. Obtaining Career InformationInformation

• 1. careers and their educational requirements

• 2. colleges and trade or technical schools offering specific programs

• 3. government service and recruiting information

• 4. local opportunities to observe jobs in your career field

B. School CounselorsB. School Counselors

• A. Research• 1. Libraries• 2. Labor unions and professional associations• 3. Internet resources• 4. Public employment services• a. located in yellow pages under Job

Service

III. Additional Ways to III. Additional Ways to Investigate CareersInvestigate Careers

• B. Interviewing Workers• 1. talk to people in fields you are interested in

• C. Job Shadowing• 1. follow a person around for a couple days• 2. ask them questions about the job

• (Box at top of page 209)

• 1. community service agencies need help with their office work

• 2. hospitals and health care agencies need helpers to run errands and deliver food to patients

• 3. peer tutoring uses students to help other students with their studies

• 4. assistants are needed in parks and recreational facilities to serve as referees, camp counselors, and craft instructors

• 5. Habitat for Humanity is and organization that helps build homes for those in need

D. Community/Service LearningD. Community/Service Learning

• E. Part-time jobs• 1. gets you work experience• 2. see if that is an area for a career

• F. Career Events• 1. career day at school• 2. tour a career site