ccp chapter 4 power point
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 4Exploring Careers
“We should not let our fears hold us
back from pursuing our hopes.”
-John F. Kennedy
The difference between a job and a career
• Job – Work a person does for pay that does
not require much training, knowledge, or
experience.
• Career – A person’s life work, which requires
planning, preparation, interest, and time.
• Sometimes jobs lead to careers.
• Entry-level – A “stepping stone” or a
beginning job that will take you on a path to
your ultimate career.
Fun Facts!
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average person will have at least 7 jobs before age 30!
It is projected that many people will change jobs 10 to 12 times – and might change careers as many as 3 times before retirement.
Approach these job changes with a positive attitude.
Using Informal Research
One way to explore careers is through informal research, which is learning about careers through a casual and friendly approach.
This research can include observing people where you go to school, family, neighbors, or people you don’t know at all.
When you are making arrangements for informal research, you are networking, or talking to people you know and others in your community to gather and share information.
Discovering Careers Through
Formal Research
Through formal research, which involves
using tools and information to investigate
facts, you can discover even more
information about jobs and careers.
As you begin your formal research, it is
important for you to know that all careers
have been grouped in categories called
career clusters.
A career cluster is a group of occupations
having related interests.
Career Clusters
Career clusters include nearly all
occupations from entry level to
professional level (high-level careers that
require earning a particular degree.)
Although slightly different career cluster
systems are available, the Guide for
Occupational Exploration, groups related
occupations into 14 career clusters.
Fourteen Career Interest Areas
Career Cluster
Arts, Entertainment,
and Media
Science, Math,
and Engineering
Jobs Related to Cluster
Actor/actress, coa
ch, illustrator, writer
Anthropologist, ch
emist, computer
programmer, veteri
narian
Plants and Animals
Law, Law
Enforcement, and
Public Safety
Mechanics, Installer
s, and Repairers
Agriculture
scientist, forester, la
ndscaper, wildlife
biologist
Correctional
officer, detective,
park
ranger, special
agent
Aircraft
mechanic, commu
nication
equipment
installer, medical
equipment repairer
Construction, Minin
g, and Drilling
Transportation
Industrial
Production
Bricklayer, electrici
an, pipe
fitter, sheet metal
worker
Airline pilot, freight
inspector, traffic
technician, transpo
rtation manager
Bakery
worker, electronics
tester, testing-
machine operator
Business Detail
Sales and
Marketing
Recreation, Travel,
and Other Personal
Services
Administrative
assistant, legal
secretary, library
assistant
Advertising
agent, public
relations
specialist, real
estate sales agent
Convention
planner, personal
aide, social
director
Education and
Social Service
General
Management and
Support
Medical and
Health Services
Caseworker, clergy
member, teacher,
urban planner
Accountant, financ
ial
manager, human
resource
manager, purchasi
ng agent
Audiologist, health
educator, medical
assistant, recreatio
nal therapist
Occupational Outlook
Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
provides information about 250 occupations.
The Department of Labor (DOL) updates it
frequently online.
Using the OOH, you can learn about what
workers do, how much they are paid, future
job prospects, and working conditions.
You can also learn about educational and
training requirements, advancement (getting
more responsibility and authority), and job
trends.
O*NET Database
The O*NET database is a government
sponsored computer program that
collects information from workers about
their jobs.
People can compare occupations and
find out about skill changes now and in
the future.
Using other Career Information
Sources
The information at the OOH and O*NET
websites is also printed in books.
The Guide for Occupational Exploration
(GOE) gives definitions and explanations
of each of 14 different career interest
areas.
There are many career
publications, magazines, and other online
sources of career information.
Learning about Careers
Hands-on experiences – actually
spending time on work sites – provides a
realistic way to explore and research
careers.
Employers like to hire people who already
have some experience in the workplace.
Career Shadowing
Career shadowing is observing a worker
and asking questions for a day or less in a
field of work you find interesting.
For instance, a student interested in
becoming a lawyer could spend a day
with a lawyer, following her around the
office, observing what she does in
courtroom as part of her everyday work
schedule, and asking appropriate
questions.
Part-time work
Part-time work is working a
few hours each week over
months or years.
It gives you an opportunity
to gain knowledge and
skills as well as earn money
to prepare for the future.
Temporary work
Temporary work is agreeing to work full-
time or part-time for only a few weeks or
months.
It gives you a chance to gain skills and
earn money for a limited time.
Some examples include summer jobs,
such as detasseling corn or working at an
amusement park.
Internships
Internships are opportunities to work in an industry through a school-related program to gain skills and experience, usually without pay.
Internships are one of the most valuable experiences you can have as you explore career opportunities.
Many employers hire their interns as employees.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education programs offer
students opportunities to go to school and
work for pay at the same time.
Typically, they spend part of the day at
school and part of the day on the job.
I.C.E. (Interdisciplinary Cooperative
Education) is an example of a program
offered in many high schools.
Volunteering Volunteering is working without pay.
You might choose to volunteer because
you strongly believe in a cause.
Check out local hospitals, nursing
homes, veterinary offices, schools, and
food pantries for volunteering
opportunities.
In many schools and
communities, students have the
opportunity to participate in service
learning (doing community service as part
of a classroom assignment) programs.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is creating your own job.
You may have started as an entrepreneur
at a young age, did you set up your own
lemonade stand?
If you are a creative person with self-
motivation, you can be quite successful in
operating your own business.
Recording Info. About
Potential Careers
The following questions provide you with a
guide as you research and record
information about different occupations.
What skills are needed to perform this
career?
What is the work environment (the
surroundings) like?
What values and lifestyles best match this
career?
What is the projected job outlook for this
career?