Researching & Choosing Careers
Chapter Overview
Lesson 1: Researching and Choosing Careers
Lesson 2: Military Careers
Lesson 3: Careers in Aerospace
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Lesson Overview
• Selecting and charting a good career path
• Careers versus jobs
• Career direction—Getting to know
yourself
• Career options
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Lesson Overview
• What employers are looking for
• Career factors
• Career planning and information
sources
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Quick Write
• Write down three types of jobs you can
picture yourself doing over your lifetime
• The jobs should sound satisfying,
rewarding, and even fun to you
• Keep this list as we go through this
lesson, and make changes as you see fit
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Selecting and Charting a Career Path
• You want a fulfilling, rewarding, and
enjoyable career
• You will spend 8 to 10 hours a day or
more on the job
• That is two-thirds of your waking hours!
• Now is the time to chart your path
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Careers versus Jobs
• A job is something that a person does to
make a living
• A career is something that defines a
person’s working life
The choice is up to you!
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Job
• Provides for a basic living – food &
shelter
• But may not give you a chance to
improve your lifestyle
• You perform specific duties within a
specific time frame
• Your ability to advance will be limited
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career
•
Provides opportunities for advancement
•
Provides opportunities for increased
salary
•
Provides opportunities to apply your
increased experience
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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Careers
• It’s also important to find something you enjoy
• Work doesn’t have to be boring!
• If you find something you like to do, you’ll
probably do it well
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Direction
• What do I want to do?
• What am I suited for?
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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Getting to Know Yourself
A
Int
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t
i
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s
e
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e
Abilities
e
Attitud
ts
Va
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es
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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Career Options
• Working in the private sector
• Working for the federal, state, or local
government (including as a teacher)
• Serving in the military
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Options
FastestGrowing
Occupations
Home health aides
Network systems and data
Communications analysis
Medical assistants
Physicians assistants
Computer software
engineers, applications
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Chart Available: http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2003.htm
Career Options
HighGrowth
Occupations
Retail Salesperson
Registered Nurses
Postsecondary Teachers
Customer Service
Representative
Janitors and cleaners
except maids and
housekeeping cleaners
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Chart Available: http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2003.htm
Career Options
Future
Job
Decreases
Farmers and ranchers
Stock clerks and order fillers
Sewing machine operators
File clerks
Order clerks
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Chart Available: http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2003.htm
Career Examples
•
Computer animator
•
Customer service representative
•
Dental assistant
•
Environmental scientist/engineer
•
Food-preparation and -service workers
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Examples
• Geneticist
• Health-care information specialist
• Intellectual property lawyer
• Medical assistant
• Online content developer
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Examples
• Physical therapist
• Telecommunications technician
• Webmaster
• Federal government employee
• Student educational employment
program
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
What Employers Are Looking For
•
Ability to work with others
•
Problem-solving and creative-thinking
skills
•
Technical aptitude (for example, being
computer literate)
•
Good communication skills
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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What Employers Are Looking For
• Willingness and ability to learn and
accept responsibility
• Versatility and flexibility
• Dependability and honesty
• Good reading, writing, and math skills
• Personal financial literacy
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
What Employers Are Looking For
Employers also want people
who accept personal
responsibility for their work
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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Career Factors
Education
Your level of formal knowledge and training. Education
greatly increases your career potential.
Experience
The knowledge, skills, and self-confidence you’ve gained
through events and activities. Experience adds to your
earning potential. It can come from jobs, internships, and
volunteer work.
Skills and
Talents
Abilities you possess. Education and training enhance
your abilities.
Interests and
Temperament
Aspects of your personality that affect the kinds of work
you prefer and the settings in which you can work
effectively.
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Factors
Job Availability
Earning
Potential
Personal Needs
Positions available at a given time and place that match
your skills, experience, and education. Some jobs are
available only in specific locations, such as large cities or
company headquarters.
Certain professions or careers have higher earning
potential then others do.
Fringe benefits and other factors that influence job
satisfaction, such as insurance, vacation, on-site child care,
and sick leave.
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Planning
• What is right for you: a job or a career?
• Will you enter the workforce right after
high school?
• Will you pursue higher education?
• Will you join the military?
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Career Planning Includes Four Tasks
• Discovering your attitudes, interests,
abilities, and preferences
• Gathering information
• Matching your interests with occupations
• Taking the steps to reach your career
goal
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Job Information Sources
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook
• The Dictionary of Occupational Titles
• Websites:
– www.assessment.com
– www.Careerexplorer.com
• Networking
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Review
• You want a career that is fulfilling,
rewarding, and enjoyable
• A job is something that a person does to
make a living
• A career is something that defines a person’s
working life
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Review
• In making career choices, you have to
know yourself well
• Among your options are the private
sector; the federal, state, or local
government; and the armed forces
• Employers want people who have
developed a sense of personal
responsibility for their work
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Review
• You’ll need to consider many factors as you
decide on a career path or specific job
• Make the choice with a lot of thought—but
also be willing to change if a particular
direction doesn’t seem right
• Eventually, you’ll find a path that’s good
for you
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Summary
• Selecting and charting a good career path
• Careers versus jobs
• Career direction—Getting to know
yourself
• Career options
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Summary
• What employers are looking for
• Career factors
• Career planning and information
sources
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
Next
• Today we’ve learned about what a good
career path will do for your future
• Next we’ll learn about military careers
Chapter 1, Lesson 1
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