Professional Communication and Career Planning
Career Planning
Objectives
Determine the skills needed for the workplace.
Describe how to create a career plan.
Explore sources of career information.
Summarize how CTSOs can prepare students for a career.
Key Terms
Job: The work a person does regularly for pay.
Career: A series of related jobs in the same profession.
Skill: Something an individual does well.
Job-specific skills: Critical skills for performing tasks of a position.
Employability skills: Skills that help individuals find jobs and succeed in the workplace.
Career clusters: 16 groups of occupational specialties.
Career pathways: Subgroups reflecting similar knowledge/skills for occupations.
Aptitude: A natural ability in a particular skill.
Values: Principles and beliefs that are important to an individual.
Interest: A desire to learn more about a topic or activity.
SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely goals.
Skills for the Workplace
Basic Skills
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Listening
Technology
Mathematics
Employability Skills
Decision Making
Creative Thinking
Teamwork
Leadership
Cultural Competence
Self-management, Integrity, Responsibility
Career Clusters and Pathways
Career Clusters: 16 groups of related career fields.
Career Ladder: 5 levels of careers
Entry-level
Career-level
Specialist-level
Supervisory-level
Executive-level
Career Planning Steps
Career Plan: A timeline listing steps to achieve career goals, includes:
Education options
Current job opportunities
Self-assessment
SMART goals
Action Items for a Career Plan
Junior High
Extracurricular activities related to communication.
High School
Part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer positions relevant to communication.
College and Beyond
Higher education and professional development opportunities.
Self-Assessment
Aptitude: Natural skills developed over time.
Ability: Mastery of a skill.
Setting SMART Goals
Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve?
Measurable: How will I know I have achieved it?
Attainable: Are my goals achievable?
Realistic: Are the goals practical?
Timely: Are timelines appropriate?
Finding Career Information
Career Resources: Includes
Internet Research
Career Handbooks
Networking
Informational Interviews
Nature of Business
Categories include:
Proprietorship
Partnership
Corporation
Economic Base: Refers to industries providing necessary community employment.
Informational Interviewing
A strategy for seeking professional advice rather than a job.
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
National organizations with local chapters related to CTE courses.
Goals: Help students gain knowledge and skills in various technical areas.
Opportunities: Competitive events, community service, and professional development activities.
Education, Training, and Certification
Formal Education: Education received at schools or universities.
Postsecondary Education: Any educational level after high school.
Occupational Training: Prepares individuals for specific jobs.
Internship: Short-term position for on-the-job experience.
Apprenticeship: Combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
Certification: Professional status earned after passing exams related to specific knowledge.
College Access
Refers to guidance on college opportunities, admissions, and financing.
Resources available online include the US Department of Education and the College Board.
Funding Your Education
A 529 plan is a savings plan for education operated by a state or educational institution.
Financial aid
– Grants do not have to be repaid and are typically provided by a nonprofit organization
– Scholarships may be based on financial need or some type of merit or accomplishment
– Work-study programs are part-time jobs on a college campus
– Need-based awards are available for students and families who meet certain economic requirements