7th & 8th Grades

You have learned about career clustersYou have researched various careersYou have begun to think about what

career you will pursue

Examine what preparation you need to make What education do you need? What training do you need?

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?

Certification programsInternshipsCooperative programsApprenticeships

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

CosmetologyCulinary ArtsWelding

BusinessConstructionChildcare

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!