Lesson 19 - Developing a Career Plan Find Out About Yourself 1. Interests 2. Abilities 3. Wants & Needs 4. Values & Goals Interests Those things for which you hold a curiosity or liking What do you enjoy? What are your hobbies? Abilities Those things for which you are naturally talented or skilled What are you good at? What are your natural aptitudes or natural talents? Major Types of Abilities 1. Mechanical 2. Math 3. Communication 4. Human Relations 5. Problem Solving Wants & Needs Those things you either desire or must have to survive. Will you be able to earn enough to cover your basic needs? Can you cover at least some of your wants? Values & Goals Values Principles or standards which you consider to be desirable or worthwhile Goals Those things you wish to accomplish What is important to me? Does this career match my values and goals? Does this career interfere with my values such as friends and family? Computer Assignment: Myers Briggs Inventory 1. Navigate to personalitypathways.com. On the right sidebar click on “What’s Your Myers Briggs Personality Type?”. Scroll down to the inventory and click the circles which best describe you. 2. What personality type are you? (It is a 4 letter acronym like INFP at the bottom of the screen.) 3. How might knowing this help you choose a career? Computer Assignment: Interest Inventory 1. Navigate to http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/PCCPinterests.shtml. Complete the interest inventory as directed. Write down or print out your results for each category. 2. Click “Generate Options” and select your highest category. Look through the list of majors and careers. Write down four of each that interest you. 3. Does this sound like something you’d enjoy? How might knowing this help you choose a career? Locate Career Information Find out everything you can about the profession you have selected. You will need to know the education and training requirements, the job prospects and average salary, the likely areas where such jobs are plentiful, and the typical duties. Sources of Information Networking Print Resources Electronic Media Locate Career Information Networking with other people is your best bet, so stay plugged in! Network A group of people who have common concerns or interests, particularly regarding work. People who can help: •Person who works in that career •Guidance Counselor •Teacher •Librarian Locate Career Information Print Resources Occupational Outlook Handbook Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance Vocational Careers Sourcebook Locate Career Information Electronic Resources Online Job Sites and Job Boards Careerbuilder.com Monster.com Online Career Tests Careerpath.com Online Career Resources Careers.org Job Requirements Qualifications for specific jobs. Questions Regarding Work Requirements What tasks do people perform in this position? What skills does the position use? Do they provide job training? What personal or physical characteristics are required? What type of personality is best for this job? Do the tasks require problem solving capability? Is any previous experience required or preferred? If so, what? Career Ladders Methods of progressing from one level to another. A Career Ladder begins with entry-level positions and progresses to higher levels of responsibility that may include management. Education & Training What level of education do you need? - High School - Post Secondary Post Secondary Any education beyond high school Most jobs now require more than a high school diploma. Education & Training For postsecondary, what degree do you need? Types of Degrees - Associate (2 years) - Bachelor’s (4 years) - Master’s (2-3 additional) - Doctorate (PhD, MD, JD 5 –7 additional) Education & Training Some trades require apprenticeships, bonding, or other special instruction instead of college • Plumbers • Electricians • Mechanics Other Considerations 1. Narrow your choices. 2. Identify clusters which interest you. 3. List alternatives in case your first choice doesn’t work out. 4. Make tentative choices. 5. Recognize trade-offs – the opportunity cost of choosing one career over another. Computer Assignment: Career Assessments 1. Login to Careers.org. You will need a Facebook account to do this. Research two careers which interest you and write a one page report on your findings for each. 2. Go to Careerpath.com and take: Job Discovery Wizard Test Career Planner Quiz You will need to fill out the required fields to obtain results. Write a one page summary of your results. Did this information surprise you? Will it help you?