The Road To Your Future Career

Introduction

You are about to graduate high school.  People who enter the workforce now or after college in 2006 will probably work for more than FIVE different companies and have at least TEN different jobs and even change careers more than once.  If this proves true for you, then it's time to examine YOUR ROAD TO A FUTURE CAREER. Let us begin our journey by reading a very famous and applicable poem by Robert Frost.

Click here to begin your journey.

The Task

• Take one of the career surveys or assessment tests to determine which careers suit your personality.
• Make a list of  careers that suit your personality type.
• Choose at least FIVE careers to investigate further.
• Using Excel, make a graph comparing your findings.
• Interview a person in each career to find out first hand information on the job.
• Make a presentation to the class about what you have learned using PowerPoint, Excel, or any other technology available.

The Process
 

Step 1.	Click on one of  the sites for career assessments and take the test. Get a printed copy of your results. Work Interest Quiz The Career Key Career Interests Game Self-Assesment Career Survey
Step 2.	Make a list, of FIVE careers that would suit your aptitudes, values or interests.  Be sure to define which career inventory or test you took and list the description given for your particular  personality first.
Step 3.	Choose at least THREE occupations to further investigate and devise a  comparison chart or graph using EXCEL. For each career, include skills or education needed, salary range, positive or negative aspects of the job, responsibilities and tasks, job outlook, advancements in the career, etc. Use the following sites: Occupational Outlook Handbook  - An index from A to Z of all jobs, salaries, and descriptions Bureau of Labor Statistics  - A good source for statistics on jobs My Future  - Military Opportunities Job Star Central  Salary information, resumes, career guides Career Builder   - Salary Wizard, finding a job by location, interviews and resumes Careers on Line    - Great job descriptions by categories with related jobs and requirements Fastest Growing Occupations  - Lists job outlook from 1992-2005
Step 4.	Make a list of at least TEN pertinent questions that would be useful in an interview with a person employed in the occupations you have chosen. Record the questions and the answers and give the name, date, place of employment and position of the person interviewed.
Step 5.	Make a presentation to the class using PowerPoint to share your research.

 

Conclusion

As you reach the end of this journey, I hope you have gained some insight into possible careers that you might enter either soon after high school or after taking the next road into college.  Remember the road that is less traveled may make the difference in your life. At any rate, you should have the necessary information to decide which road you want to travel on.

Happy Trails to you.
Laraine Cubeta
Lakeland High School