“College and Career Readiness”
For All
Students
October 8, 2013
Michael D. Thompson
Counselor Consultant, Pa. Department of Education

Using Career Self Assessments
To
Figure Out Life and Work Settings That Will Assist Your
Child To Discover and Enhance Their “Spark”

Holland
2 Assessments
6 Types Based on Personality & Work Settings
Career Clusters
16 Groupings of Occupations With Similar
Skills & Competencies
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Realistic ~ Doer
 Investigative ~ Thinker
 Artistic ~ Creator
 Social ~ Helper
 Enterprising ~ Persuader
 Conventional ~Organizer
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Agriculture, Food & Nat. Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts,Audio Video & Communications
Business Management & Administration
Education and Training
Finance
Government & Public Administration
Health Science
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety,Corrections & Security
Manufacturing
Marketing
Science,Technology,Engineering & Math
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

 Career Development is a continuous life long process through which people come to understand themselves as they relate to the world of work and their role in it.
 The Career Development process is where an individual fashions a work identity. In America, we are what we do , thus it becomes a person’s identity.
 It is imperative when educating our young people that our school systems assist and consider the significance of this responsibility for our youth and their future. The influences on and outcomes of career development are one aspect of socialization as part of a broader process of human development.
 Hampton School District is beginning the process of building a K-12 career development program for “all” students. Tonight's Career Expo is part of that initiative!

 A generation of students without a career focus with numerous employment shifting and “college major hopping.”( ave.3-4 times in college career)
 Ineffectual transitioning from secondary to postsecondary and work will cost employers millions in training and re-training because the average amount of time that is spent on a first job holder is less than a year.
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Young people move through a series of “job experiments” in their early to late twenties costing employers and the young person time and money. This is extremely detrimental to the economy as well as the person .

 Pathways to Prosperity:
Meeting the Challenge of
Preparing Young
Americans for the 21 st
Century
 February 2, 2011
 Harvard Graduate School of Education
Dr. William Symonds

The Forgotten Half in the United States
 30% of United States people between 18-25 do not have a high school diploma.
 20% of United States people between 18-25
“only” graduate from high school

 Better Partnerships Between Business and Education-(Creating a Culture of
Classroom Relevance)
 Better K-16 Career
Counseling(Everybody’s Business)
 Government Contract With Youth to Make
Postsecondary More Attainable

The Purposeful:
Found something
meaningful,sustained
Interest and a clear sense of future
Purpose
20% 25%
The Disengaged:
Neither a purpose in life
nor an inclination to find one
The Dabblers:
Tried potentially purposeful pursuits, yet to commit
30%
25%
The Dreamers:
Imagining great things,
No practical pursuits
William Damon-Paths to Purpose

Unskilled jobs are disappearing; demand for high skills is rising
100%
16%
10%
19%
26%
80%
60%
73%
40%
54%
Professional
Skilled
Unskilled
40%
40%
20%
20%
0%
1950 1994 2011
Source: U.S Bureau of Census and Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Center for Workforce Information & Analysis (Pennsylvania statewide)

60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Educational
Attainment
Professional
Skilled
Unskilled

PA ranks 5th in the nation for sending HS students to college.
PA ranks 45th in the nation for graduating the same HS students from college.
.

 Average Loan debt is 29,000 per student in the U.S.
 Debt load for students in the US has increased by 300% since 2001.*
 Student Loan Debt has just passed credit card debt in the Pa. and the
US. *
 Only borrow what you expect to make in your first salaried year after
Graduation from a two or four year program.* (Less than 12% of gross income) *Pheaa

What Students Would Have Done
Differently to be Successful in Today’s
Labor Market
Been more careful about selecting a major or chosen a different major
48%
Done more internships or worked part time in college or before college
Would have started looking for work much sooner while still in college
Would have taken more classes to prepare for a career
Would have gone to a different college
Something else
47%
38%
27%
14%
9%
Would have not gone to college 4%

 OJT(on the Job Training)- Weeks to Months, necessary skills, paid while attending training
(Stackable credentials are now an employers preferred way to demonstrate specific industry skills).
 Diploma or Certificate Program- 6 months to 1 year, entry level skills, technical schools,community colleges and even some universities.
 Military Training- 3 years or more, skilled training with the GI Bill to pay for college after discharge or serve 20 years until retirement with full benefits.
 Apprenticeship Program- 3-4 years, Industry-based program training workers on the job and in a classroom setting as well. Journeyman status in a specific industry. Apprentices paid as they go to school.
 Associates Degree Programs-2 years, Terminal 2 year degrees allowing person to gain entry level employment in a specific career. Many workers go on for future degrees or credentials at workers expense. Located at community colleges and junior colleges. Many universities are now possessing 2 year terminal degrees and transfer possibilities.
 Bachelors Degree Programs- 4 years, Four year degrees with a combination of general education course work and a specific major.
 Graduate and Professional Degree Programs-15 years beyond the Bachelor’s Degree. Post graduate fields such as law, medicine, Phd and other professional degrees .

High Priority Occupations in Southwestern Pa.
Career Level of Prep
Network System &
Data
Communications
Personal Home Care
Aides
Home Health Aides
Bachelors Degree
OJT
OJT
Occupational
Therapy Assistants
Veterinary
Technologists
Personal Finance
Advisors
Medical Assistants
Associates Degree
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
OJT or Moderate-1 year
Bachelors Degree Computer Software
Engineer
Veterinarians Professional Degree
Substance Abuse
Counselors
Masters Degree
Salary
$71,200
$20,490
$21,520
$42,200
$28,460
$90,370
$25,700
$79,460
$101,590
$32,390
# needed by 2016 %change
1,800 workers 48.4%
3,500
6,910
350
440
1,630
4,460
4,460
360
920
44.4%
40.1%
34.1%
33.4%
33.0%
32.3%
31.3%
30.9%
29.3%

Some Popular Careers and Job Growth in SW Pa.
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Careers
Physical Therapists-
Occupational Therapists-
Social Worker-
Pharmacy-
Registered Nurse-
Roustabouts,Oil and Gas-
Child Care-
Paralegals-
Pre-School Teachers-
% Job Growth by 2016
26.1%
23.2%
22.6%
21.5%
19.1%
17.0%
16.3%
15.2%
11.0%
Police Officers -
Civil Engineers -
Lawyers-
5.5%
4.5%
4.0%
Sound Engineering Technicians-3.7%
Middle School Teachers -2.6%
Civil Draftsman/Architectural-
Computer Programmers-
-11.9%
-10.5%

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#10. Political Science and Government
#9. Communications
#8. Economics
#7. English Language
#6. Education
#5. Biology/Biological Sciences
#4. Nursing
#3. Psychology
#2. Business Administration
#1 Undeclared/Undecided (1 in 8 students)
Huffington Post 2011

Based on: Job Growth Starting Salary
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10.
Applied Math 16.7% $52,600
9. Petroleum Engineering 17.0% $97,900
8. Management Information Systems 18.1% $51,000
7. Geology 19.3% $45,300
6. Civil Engineering 19.4% $53,100
5. Environmental Engineering 21.9% $51,700
4. Software Engineering 24.6% $54,900
3. Computer Science 24.6% $56,600
2. Biochemistry 30.8% $41,700
1. Biomedical Engineering 61.7% $53,800
Huffington Post 2012

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Based on: Unemployment Rate Starting Salary
10. English Literature 9.2% $32,000
9. History 10.2% $32,000
8. Commercial Art&Graphic Design 11.8% $32,000
7. Physical Education & Parks/Rec. 8.3% $31,000
6. Music 9.2% $30,000
5. Liberal Arts 9.2% $30,000
4. Philosophy 10.8% $30,000
3. Fine Arts 12.6% $30,000
2. Film,Video,Photographic Arts 12.9% $30,000
1. Anthropology/Archaeology 10.5% $28.000
Huffington Post 2012*

Stage, Age and Grade
 Fantasy- Birth-10 years old (Grades K-4) Awareness
 Interest- 11-12 years old (Grades 5-6) Awareness/
Exploration
 Capacity- 13-14 years old (Grades 7-8) Exploration
 Tentative-15-17 years old (Grades 9-11) Planning
 Crystallization- 18-21 years old (Graduation)
Students will be able to “crystallize” a vocational preference upon graduation from high school instead of by their mid 20’s!
*Donald Super

Who they are…
(Awareness) Grades K-5
Where they want to go…
(Exploration) Grades 6-8
And understand the process of… how they are going to get there !…
(Planning) Grades 9-12

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Get to know your childs “spark” and validate and embrace it.
 Provide experiences and resources to explore their “spark”
 Assist them and teach them good decision making skills to plan their “spark”.

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Career Information
Contact the school counselor for resources and experiences.
Look at the assessments that the school has given as well as their career portfolio. Discuss these with your child.
Get involved in their course selection process.
Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.
Provide resources in the community for shadowing and internships.
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Help your child research employable careers and college majors.
Discuss with your child about researching majors/programs to study then selecting the type of school.
Websites to consider: www.educationplanner.org
www.mynextmove.com
www.pacareerzone.org
www.pacareerstandards.com
www.paworkforce.state.pa.us

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College Planning
Educate yourself on the various types of post-secondary schools and discuss this with your child.
Attempt to research the types of programs that lead to employment.
Research the cost of post-secondary programs.
Visit campuses and schools on vacation or throughout their entire high school years.
Establish a relationship with the counselor to discuss resources and experience.
Be open to new ideas and new information as your child begins to crystallize a plan.
Helpful Websites www.collegeboard.com
www.gettingthemthere.org
www.asvab.com
www.educationplanner.org
www.petersons.org
www.myplan.com
www.fafsa.com

Michael D. Thompson
PDE Consultant mdt7450@gmail.com

• Administer the Pennsylvania State Grant &
Other Funding Programs for PA residents
• Provide Access to Post Secondary Goals
• Higher Education Access Partners
• Financial Aid Presentations, FAFSA Completion
Sessions, Counselor Workshops, Education &
Employment / Career Trends
• Targeted Industry Program (TIP)

• Affordable Post Secondary Options
– Be Informed Consumers
– Employment & Return On Investment
– Commuting, Summer Credits, Meal Plans,
Community College (2 + 2)
– Academic Progress
– SCHOLARSHIPS
EducationPlanner.org - MySmartBorrowing,
Youcandealwithit.org
PHEAA.org
________________________________________________________
Marian Hargrave 724.614.3823 mhargrav@pheaa.org

• Advanced Computer
Programming
• Advertising Design
• Agile Robotics
• Auto Body Repair
• Automotive Technology
• Building Construction
• Carpentry
• Computer Systems Technology
• Computer Network
Engineering
• Cosmetology
• Culinary Arts
• Dental Careers
• Early Childhood Education
• Emergency Response
Technology
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Science Technology
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air-
Conditioning
• Pastry Arts
Kim Zylinski
School Counselor
412-847-1912 kim.zylinski@beattietech.com

• 885 Industry Certifications
• 23 On the Job Internship
Experiences
• 7 Student Co-Op
Employment Experiences
• 284 Student Job Shadowing
Experiences
• 15 Junior Achievement
Student Teaching
Experiences
• 35 Students on Clinical
Rotations
• NOCTI (National
Occupational Competency
Testing Institute)
– 176 Eligible Seniors
– 81% scored Competent or
Advanced Overall
– 94 % scored Competent or
Advanced on the Written
Exam
– 84 % scored Competent or
Advanced on the
Performance Exam

CPT John Thompson – APMS RMU
This We’ll
Defend
Active Duty
• Over 150 specialties
• Combat Arms
• Combat Support
• Combat Service Support
• 7 Army Values / Marine Core Values
• Core Tenets
• 50 State friendships
•
•
National Guard / US Army Reserve
• Over 120 specialties
• National Guard – Mirrors Active Duty
• Reserve – Support Units
Not For Self, But Country
National Guard – State and
Federally funded
Reserves – Federally funded
•
•
•
• 3-6 year commitment
10 week BCT, 3-5 month AIT
Fitness and Nutrition
Family and Education
Semper Fidelis
• Part-time Military, allows you to pursue another career
• NG – full funding in-state colleges
• Transferability
• NG has dual mission (State and www.goarmy.com
Federal)
Aim High…Fly, Fight, Win www.airforce.com
www.marines.com
www.navy.com
www.nationalguard.com

ROTC
• Over 1400 colleges and universities
• University of Pittsburgh
• 11 Satellite schools
• Emphasize major over military
• Leadership course
• 2, 3, and 4-year scholarships
• STEM and Nursing
• 3-5 hours a week as a freshman
• Normal college experience
• Internships, Language programs
• Scholars, Athletes, Leaders
• Colin Powell, Lou Holtz, Sam Walton,
James Earl Jones, Samuel Alito www.goarmy.com/rotc www.westpoint.edu
www.usna.edu
www.usmma.edu
www.cga.edu
http://www.academyadmissions.com
- Air
Force
Military Academies
• USMA, USNA, USAFA, USMMA and
USCGA
• Congressional or Senate nomination
• Education equivalent to Ivy League
• Engineering and hard sciences
• Duty, Honor, Country
• Strong Alumni Association
• 50 State representation
• 5-year obligation
• Live, eat and play
• Norman Schwarzkopf, 3 Presidents,
NASA Astronauts, noted scholars and
Nobel Peace prize recipients

• CCAC educates more than 32,000 credit and 28,000 non-credit students annually, but students can expect an average class size of just 19 students. With the extensive network of four campuses and four centers located strategically throughout the region, in addition to a growing array of online courses and programs, CCAC is readily accessible to residents of
Allegheny County and beyond.
• The life of a CCAC student includes a full college experience, including classroom and online learning, sports teams and student clubs, as well as academic advising and tutoring services necessary to help students succeed. CCAC job fairs draw hundreds of local employers and the CCAC Honors Program offers opportunities to expand learning.
• CCAC’s affordable programs enable students to save thousands of dollars—up to $45,000 for students who spend their first two years at CCAC before transferring to a bachelor’s program. It’s also ideal for students interested in earning an associate’s degree, certificate or diploma as preparation to enter the workforce.
• Every year thousands of students make CCAC their college of first choice. Here’s why:

• Innovation and Excellence in Teaching
• Access to Financial Aid
• Transfer Opportunities
• Savings—College Made Affordable
• Expanded Learning Options
• Education for the Careers of Tomorrow in Two
Years or Less
• Extensive Student Services
• Rewarding Student Life Experiences

Peggy Schmiedecke
Assistant Director of Admissions
 La Roche Fast Facts
 The College’s vision and mission reflects its goal to “foster global citizenship”
La Roche College Awards

 Affordability!
 Freshman automatically reviewed for merit-
based scholarships.
 These annual scholarships range in value from $1,000 to
$14,000
 Quality of the Faculty
 Internships
 Center for Student
Development