1. Investigate…
…a variety of careers. Talk to your parents, friends and relatives about their jobs.
2. Remember…
…school is your work right now and attendance is your highest priority. You don’t take a day off from work just because you feel like it and the same should go for school.
3. Explore…
…what kinds of skills you have, what you like to do and what kinds of courses you like in school. The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be for them to recognize what careers will best suit you.
4. Experience…
…first hand as many different types of work situations as possible. Take advantage of both formal and informal work exposure programs through your parents’ employers, school and friends and relatives.
5. Examine…
…all of the opportunities you have to learn about technology which is vital in today’s workplace. Take a hands-on look at the tools, techniques and skills involved in a wide range of technology careers.
6. Inform…
…yourself through your school library, guidance department and career fairs. Find out what career information is available. Many schools maintain extensive career reference libraries. Take a career interest test through your guidance department.
7. Think…
…about your career as a goal of education. It’s OK if you don’t have a clue as to what you want to do right now. But you shouldn’t avoid thinking about future career goals. Preparing for a career is part of hwat education is all about.
8. Learn…
…skills necessary to make an informed career decisions. Every employment opportunity requires people to use both their head and their hands. Take courses like keyboarding, automotive technology, accounting, graphic design, construction, journalism or marketing that will give you an opportunity to spply those skills in a future career. These skills are equally important to both college-bound and non-college bound students.
9. Be responsible…
…the more responsibility, the better. Begin with jobs around the house or for a neighbor. It’s important to learn that we all have to carry our own weight and that people rely on us to get things done.
10. Ignore…
..stereotypes. There are no careers specifically for males or specifically for females. There are often excellent job opportunities for person who entering non traditional career fields. It may take extra commitment to cross gender lines, but there are rewards.
Source: Iroquois-Kankakee Counties Education to Careers Partnership Parent Handbook for Career Development
How to be a top performer
- Give 110 percent
- Support the company
- Make customer service a top priority
- Focus on your goals and what it takes to make it happen
- Do your homework
- Don’t be afraid to be afraid
- Look for opportunities to use your skills as often as possible
- Understand there will be disappointments and learn from them
- Never stop learning
- Hang out with people who make you happy
- Be a model for other people
