Your Career:
Doing What Matters Most
Unit 1-a
Relationship of Career and Earning Power
Doing what I love
I need years to prepare
I Want to Make Lots of
Money
I want a family
I want to be happy
Average years you will work






Men- 45 years
unmarried woman- 42 years
Married woman with no children- 33 years
Married woman with children- 20-25 years
Having a high school diploma qualifies you for about
5% of the current jobs available.
What you earn depends on what you learn. Get a
good education
The Handshake



The handshake began in medieval times. Men would
grasp each other’s exposed palm to show that they
held no weapons.
Practice your handshake to make sure that you make a
good first impression.
You do not get a second chance to make a good first
impression.
The Handshake






Standard American
Greeting
Firm
Deep/Dry
2 shakes
Look the person in the
eye
State your name
Occupational Values

High Income - money that you make

Prestige - that people respect you and look up to you

Independence - give you freedom to make your own
decisions

Helping others - put others before yourself

Security - fear of losing your job

Variety - different kinds of activities daily

Leadership - guiding others

Work in Main Field of Interest

Leisure - amount of time off work

Early Entry- enter field with little schooling or experience
Occupational Values





What is the most important factor in deciding
your career?
At what age do you think a person should
decide their career?
What careers are appealing to you?
What kind of salary do you prefer (hourly,
commission/set)
What are your top occupational values?
Reasons Employees Are Rewarded





They add value with their ideas.
They learn new skills.
They help the business grow.
They take on additional responsibility.
Can you think of others?
The Opportunity Cost of Working



Take an evening
shift job
Decide to stay in
current position…
Going to college and
starting work later
on



Give up time with
family and friends
Instead of relocating
to take a better job
And getting a betterpaying job as a
result
Other Examples?
Key Employee Skills
Basic Skills
Personal Skills
Interpersonal
Skills
Systems
Skills
Thinking Skills
Resource
Management
Skills
Information
Management
Skills
Technology Skills
Basic Skills
Able to read,
write, perform
basic math
computations;
listens well;
speaks clearly
Personal Skills
Goal driven,
positive selfimage,
sociable,
realistic selfassessment,
demonstrates
honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Team player, able
to teach and lead
other employees
with diverse
backgrounds,
meets customer
expectations,
negotiates well
Organizational Skills
Works well in an
organization, can
monitor & correct
performance,
suggests
improvements to
the organization
Thinking Skills
Creates new ideas,
makes decisions,
solves problems,
organizes
information, learns
efficiently, can
reason things out
Resource Management Skills
Makes good use of
time, money,
materials, and
employee
resources. Thinks
of more efficient
ways of doing
things
Information Management Skills
Acquires,
assimilates, and
organizes
information; has
solid analytical and
problem solving
skills
Technology Skills
Solid skills in
various electronic
media, can operate
various types of
equipment with
ease, can maintain
and repair
equipment
Career Pathway
Education and Experience
www.bls
.gov
Ranking Order of Key Employee Skills
5
1
9
10
6
2
Click Here
to Find
Out What
Employers
Want
7
12
8
11
13
4
3
7-G
Source: Job Outlook 2006,
National Association of
Colleges and Employers
Average College Costs
Private Nonprofit 4-year
• $30, 094 ($40,917 including room and board)
• Increased 14% over the last 5 years
Public 4-year
• $8, 893 per semester ($18,391 including room and
board for the year)
• Increased 27% over the last 5 years
Public 2-year
• $3,264
• Increased 26% over the last 5 years
Sources: The College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges; NCES, IPEDS
Typical Employee Benefits






7-K-1
Hospitalization,
Medical, and Disability
Insurance
Dental and Vision
Insurance
Accidental Death
Insurance
Sick Leave
Paid Vacation Time
and Holidays
Parental Leave
Typical Employee Benefits





Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Life Insurance
Retirement Benefits
Retirement Savings Plans
Employee Assistance Programs
7-K-2
Factors that Can Affect Your Earning Potential
Promotions
Additional Training
Being Fired
Being Laid Off
Advanced Degrees
A New Job
Business Downturn
Relocation
Life-Changing Situations
Changing Careers
Business Upturn
Best and Worst Jobs



http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestj
obs/top50/index.html
http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/change/
20020507-lee.html
http://www.alternet.org/rights/24927/