A PERSONAL STRATEGY FOR FINDING THE RIGHT CAREER

Transcription

1 A PERSONAL STRATEGY FOR FINDING THE RIGHT CAREER Prepared for MR. MINKUS Prepared by TYLER MYSCHUK Block: B/F Mt. Boucherie Secondary Friday, March 18, 2005

2 A PERSONAL STRATEGY FOR FINDING THE RIGHT CAREER If Tyler could have any job Tyler wanted, what would it be? The Dictionary of Occupational Titles lists definitions for more than occupations existing in the United States alone. How will Tyler know which occupation will come closest to fulfilling all of your dreams and expectations? Selecting the career that is best for Tyler can be one of the most exciting decisions Tyler will ever make. The decision can also be one of the most important; especially when Tyler realize that the average worker usually spends 40 hours a week, 50 weeks a year, on the job. That totals hours per year, or hours in a 40-year working career! With these figures in mind, Tyler can easily see why Tyler would want to spend that time in a rewarding and fulfilling career. Those hours are too important to leave to chance. Tyler is never too young to begin to explore, plan, and train for your life s work. Where and how does Tyler begin? Experts in the field of career selection and counseling recommend that Tyler develop a series of lists to help narrow down the number of occupations Tyler are considering for a career. Begin the process by making two lists that cover your personal interests and your personal abilities. A third list should include career clusters or groups of related occupations. Tyler can develop other lists as Tyler proceeds through the process. Identify Your Interests Your career choices should be based on your personal interests, interests that have grown through life. Your career development actually began in early childhood. All of your experiences contribute to the personality traits Tyler will express, or want to express in your career. Some people develop an interest in a particular career at an early age. Other people pursue an occupation similar to that of a parent or a relative. And others become interested in a career by reading about it or observing other people engaged in it. The best approach is to realize what your interests are and consider them when choosing a career. In this way, Tyler can capitalize on your interests and talents. How can Tyler capitalize on those traits and life experiences to find the best career for you? According to Helen Faust, Tyler should begin by taking a close look at your personal interests. Faust considers knowing yourself to be a critical first step and offers this suggestion: Set aside a block of time to develop a list of your interests. Make the list as detailed and specific as possible. Write down the

3 activities that Tyler enjoy the most. Give all of the reasons why Tyler enjoy them, and list what Tyler have done to improve your knowledge or ability in those areas. This is not an exercise that can be completed in a few minutes. Plan to spend several hours on it. Determine Your Capabilities In addition to making a list of personal interests, make a list of your personal capabilities. Capability is defined as a natural or acquired talent or ability; quickness in learning and understanding. For example, Tyler may have a capability in math, sports, or writing. Tasks that Tyler performs in these areas are easier for Tyler to complete than tasks in other areas. If drawing or painting is your hobby, Tyler may want to investigate a career in a related field. A talent in art can provide Tyler with more than just a way to pass the time; the talent can provide an income from one of the dozens of jobs that relate to art. If Tyler enjoys drawing, Tyler may want to consider a career in graphic arts or industrial computer-aided design. If Tyler does not want to become a professional artist, your experience with the various artistic techniques can give Tyler the necessary background for a position with an art supply sales company. If Tyler has been a student of art history, Tyler may have the necessary background for work in a museum. Not everyone knows what his or her capabilities are. Capability tests, often provided in high school, are one way to access personal talents. Talking to a career counselor can also provide insight and the opportunity to explore possible capabilities. When capabilities are developed through training and practice, Tyler gains the solid skills that are highly valued by an employer. The 1987 edition of the popular What Color Is Your Parachute? Recommends that Tyler draw up a detailed list of your skills. List all of the things that Tyler can do that will be of value to an employer, such as an ability to file documents or to perform word processing tasks. Next, make a list of what Tyler know that will be of value to an employer, such as knowledge Tyler have gained in a statistics course. Then, identify additional skills or education that will be needed to meet your career goal. Evaluate Your Training and Education Once Tyler have developed your lists of personal interests, capabilities, and skills, take a close look at the subjects Tyler studied in school and other training that Tyler may have. Make a list of everything in your background, such as onthe-job training, that will benefit Tyler in a career. Next, list all of your educational experiences and note those that Tyler learned the most from or that gave Tyler the greatest satisfaction. Finally, list future training that Tyler would like to have or

4 that Tyler think will be necessary for Tyler to be successful. Plan for the Ideal Job Go back to the first question, If Tyler could have any job Tyler wanted, what would it be? Don t be afraid to dream, but do be specific. List the work environment, hours, duties and responsibilities, and salary. Write down all the ideal jobs that come to mind. Compare this list with the previous lists Tyler made. Does Tyler see similarities between your interests, capabilities, and career goal? Consider the training and education Tyler have or will need to have to achieve your goal. As Tyler can see, planning a career takes a great deal of time, effort, research, and reflection. Careful planning and guidance will help Tyler find a job in which Tyler can be happy and successful. Some people say the hardest work Tyler will ever have to do is the job of getting a job. After all, it involves defining who Tyler are, what Tyler want, and where Tyler are going with your life. If Tyler go about identifying what it is Tyler want and what it is Tyler want to do-not only for the immediate present but at least a little bit beyond that-tyler are doing life planning. Develop a Career Cluster A career cluster is a group of related jobs. For instance, Tyler could develop a career cluster in the health field. The health occupations cluster is very large; therefore, Tyler needs to narrow your choices. Tyler might focus on occupational or recreational therapy, both of which would capitalize on your interests and skills with people. Your career cluster should allow for change. Job changes can occur by your own choice, or they may be the result of a changing job market. Learn as much as Tyler can about the trends of the present market and projected trends. Each edition of the Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance includes charts listing the Ten Worst Job Prospects During the Next Decade, Occupations Producing the Most New Jobs During the Next Decade, and The Five Fastest-Growing High Technology Jobs. The knowledge that 75 percent of the 20 million new jobs during the next decade will be within five service industries: communications, finance, medical care, insurance, and high tech may help Tyler focus your search. Your career cluster should also plan for personal growth and advancement. More than 40 million Americans are in some

5 stage of career transition or job change in any given year. A large proportion of that movement can be attributed to the desire to grow. Potential for advancement is a critical element of your career plan. Research Your Career Now that Tyler has a good idea about your interests and capabilities, as well as the career cluster that most interests you, Tyler are ready to investigate a career. Talk with people who are currently employed in the field Tyler want to enter. Consult reference sources such as the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Read the want ads. Tyler may be able to learn more about the position by reading the job description and requirements. Guidance and career counselors are excellent sources of information about careers. Also, counselors can provide Tyler with pamphlets and brochures that contain information about specific careers. Use Career Power Career power is the ability to direct your career toward the career goal Tyler want to achieve. Tyler has two choices. The first choice is to take whatever job Tyler find and are offered. Such a job may pay well and provide good benefits. The job may or may not provide personal satisfaction. The second choice requires more initial effort but pinpoints the job that suits Tyler best. Career power allows Tyler to define what Tyler want to do, as well as the training Tyler need and the experience that will help Tyler reach your goal. Gain Work Experience To enhance the chances of reaching your career goal, gain work experience in areas related to that career. Consult family members, friends, and guidance counselors for possible job contacts. A part-time job after school hours and during the summer can provide Tyler with an opportunity to assume responsibility and time to decide whether Tyler will be satisfied working at such a job over a period of many years.

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY Bolles, Richard N., Callasing, Robert and Manderinski, Theresa W. What Color Is Your Jacket? Berkeley: Twelve- Speed Press, Faust, Helen. Guidelines for Career Planning. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. Garden City: Doubleday Inc., Hopke, William E., ed. Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. Garden City: Doubleday, Inc., Luke, Cheryl M., and C.B Stiegler. Office System and Procedures. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, Inc., Snelling, Anne M. Help in Career Planning. Jobs in 21 st Century in the Americas. New York: Simon & Schuster, Snelling, Robert O., Sr. Career Planning for the New Millenium. Getting the Job Tyler Deserve. New York: Penguin Books, Webster s II New Riverside University Dictionary. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984.