You have learned about career clustersYou have researched various careersYou have begun to think about what
career you will pursue
When do I want to start working?When should I begin the education and
training that I will need for my career?How long will my education and training
take?How will I pay for my education and training?Will I combine work with my education?How much money do I need to make to meet
my lifestyle goals?Can I continue my education and training
after I begin working?
What options are available for your career choice? You may go directly from high school to your career
While you work in your career, you might receive on-the-job training
You may take courses over the Internet Your employer may pay for advance training/education
You may go to a community college You may go to a technical school You may go to college or university
Whatever path you take, you will need to begin planning while still in high school
Many high school courses are designed with careers in mind
Students choose a “pathway” and take classes related to the career cluster
Pathways commonly available Business Agriculture Technology Health College Prep Post-secondary Education Options (PSEO)
Agriculture Agricultural Mechanics Plant Science/Horticulture
Construction Technology
Family & Consumer Science
Healthcare Science Marketing Education
Business & Information Technology Financial
Mgt/Accounting Financial Mgt. Services Interactive Media
Engineering Drawing & Design
JROTC
Post-Secondary Education Options are courses that give you a head start on education and training beyond high school Advanced Placement courses – you study college-
level materials while in high school Dual Credit – contract between your high school and
a post-secondary school where you earn college credit and high school credit for a course
OR, you leave the H.S. campus and take a college course on the college campus
Offer courses of study for many career areas
Many Career and Technical Schools have PSEOs
What is our local Career and Technical School? http://www.southgatech.edu/
Does it offer a course of study you would be interested in pursuing?
Complete the courses in the program Take a test to receive a Certificate
Certificate – an official document that proves you have successfully completed the specific course
content and that you have the necessary skills for that area of
your career The certificate shows an employer that you have
specialized skills and can perform a certain job
Internship – a program that provides practical experience while working in a specific career area
You learn about the Work environment Equipment used Relationships between workers and supervisors Dress code
May also provide a part-time or full-time job after you graduate
People who intern are usually more satisfied with their career choice
Cooperative (co-op) Programs – combine studies with paid work experiences in a specific career field Students see how classwork relates to work experiences Students apply skills learned in class to an actual job
Available in high schoolsStudents in co-op program
Attend class for part of the day Work at co-op employment for other part of the school
day Earn school credit for participating Earn pay for their work
Apprenticeship – a program in which a person works for a skilled worker to learn a trade
Examples include: Construction Manufacturing Culinary arts X-ray equipment tester Electricians Plumbers
Drop-outs are more likely to be unemployed to live in poverty to receive public assistance to be in prison to be on death row to be unhealthy to be divorced to be a single parent
with children who end up dropping out of school, tooEmployers look at drop-outs as quitters
Don’t drop-out! Stay in school.
Straight to CareerMilitary
Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard
On-the-Job TrainingAssociate DegreeBachelor Degree (and beyond)
Advantages Companies need bright, trainable, entry-level
workers – especially in technical areas Salary looks good, at first
Disadvantages Career growth may be limited Communication skills, business knowledge, and
understanding of global economy issues are vital to career advancement Education beyond high school develop these skills
Employers look for workers who know how to continue to learn and adapt to change
Employers will hire the better-educated person
Some form of education or training after high school is essential to help you achieve career success and reach your lifestyle goals
Full-time military service Army Navy Air-Force Marines Coast Guard
Part-time military service National Guard Reserves
People who choose this route Receive technical training in a career area while in the
service Eligible for government education tuition assistance after
they leave the service
Must be 18 years old or olderIn good healthU. S. citizenService in the military includes
Serious responsibilities Legal obligations Major risks potential
Military service is much more than an education option or a way to avoid student loans – it is a major commitment
Worker learns skills for a specific career under the supervision of an experienced worker
Usually combines classroom training with hands-on instruction
Usually requires less time than an apprenticeship
Some form of OJT is necessary for all jobs to be able to perform expertly
Associate Degree is a degree earned upon completion of a program that requires approximately two years of full-time study Can be a final degree or a transfer degree towards a
bachelors degreeCan be obtained from
a technical college, a community college, or a university
Starting your education and training plan now is a smart move
Make plans today for high school More than 1/3 of first-year college students have to
take catch-up courses in math or reading because they did not plan well in high school
Begin to investigate how to pay for training and education
Save time and money by planning today!
Average yearly cost of attending a four year private college/university is $25,000
Average yearly cost of attending a four year public college/university is $6585
Average yearly cost of attending a two year public college is $2402
There are several ways to pay for this education after high school Money out of your pocket Student loans Work-Study Grants Scholarships
Student Loan – a loan made for college or vocational training expenses; must be paid back with interest
Work-Study - academic program that enables high-school or college students to gain work experience and make money while continuing their studies
Grant – a form of federal or state financial aid that does not need to be repaid
Scholarship - a grant of financial aid awarded to a student for the purpose of attending a college; does not have to be paid back – usually based on some established merit criteria
What is HOPE? Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally
What does it take to have HOPE?Let’s find out!Go to GACollege.411.org and investigate!