HS+25-27

** Know About Careers  ** ||

You probably will not be ready for several years to choose a specific career. In planning your high school program, however, you will need to consider courses which seem interesting to you. You will need to know about the education required for careers that are of interest to you. Clear Creek ISD is committed to providing all students with the foundation to be successful in any career choice. With the rapid changes in information and technology, many of the careers our students will be employed in have not yet even been developed. Select your courses wisely to help prepare yourself for the challenges of 21st century jobs. ** Career Planning ** Entering high school will be an important step for you. You will be meeting new students, teachers, principals, and other faculty members. Most likely, you also will have to learn about the rules of a new school and find your way around a larger school building. You will take new courses and start new activities. You will find that you will be expected to take more responsibility for your own decisions, school work, and actions. An important part of your responsibilities in high school will be to choose and take courses to prepare yourself for the future. Remember, your high school program and your success in it will affect what you may do after you graduate. Perhaps you have already begun to think about what to do after high school. You may be considering going to college. You may be wondering about attending another type of school, such as a technical school. You may be thinking of preparing for a job or for military service. Perhaps you may not be sure what you want to do. You do not have to make a final decision now about your plans after high school. You are still growing and changing. You may need time to explore many possibilities before deciding what you will do. You will; however, have to choose a high school program of studies. In choosing your program, it is important to remember that many careers require a college education or further vocational/technical training after high school. Your parents may be your best advisers in choosing a high school program of studies. They understand your personality and abilities. They know your interests, likes, dislikes, and strengths. They also can tell you about things they have learned from their own education and work, which can help you in making decisions. After you and your parents have read this booklet, talk with them. Discuss with them your thoughts and concerns about high school and your future. Your school counselor can assist you to better understand your goals, high school programs, and careers. Be sure to meet with your counselor for help in deciding which direction to take in high school. Students are encouraged to utilize the career/college center in their school. Be sure to check the Internet for valuable sources. You can get ideas from your teachers about high school programs which might be best for you. They know the work you have done in their subjects and will be able to make suggestions about your program of studies. Talk with your principal, too. The advice of your teachers and principal can be very useful to you in making your choices. Other people, who know you well, such as your relatives and friends, can also help you. Consider getting their ideas. There may be some careers that seem interesting to you. If there are, talk with people in those careers to get information for planning your program of studies. They can tell you about their work and the kind of education needed for it. You may want to use this information in choosing the program and courses you will take. ** Know About Yourself  ** ||
 * Think About Your Future **
 * Many Careers Require Education after High School **
 * Who Can Help You Choose Your Program of Studies **** ? **

To make wise choices, you also will need to understand yourself and your goals for the future. It is important, therefore, to take time to learn more about yourself. Here are some questions to consider which can help you understand yourself better. In which subjects do I do well in school? ____________________________________________    What do I do well outside of school? _______________________________________________    Which talents do I have? (Play a musical instrument, sing, paint, dance, act, write or other talents) _____________________________________________________________________________ Which sport or sports do I play well? _______________________________________________  Which subjects are most interesting to me in school? __________________________________  Which activities are most interesting to me in school? _________________________________  Which activities are most interesting to me outside of school? ___________________________  What are my hobbies? __________________________________________________________ What is important to me in my life? _______________________________________________  Which people are important to me? _______________________________________________  Which activities are important to me? _____________________________________________  Which possessions are important to me? ___________________________________________ Which subjects do I like in school? _______________________________________________  Which activities do I like in school? ______________________________________________  Which activities do I like outside of school? ________________________________________  Do I like to be with other people much of the time? __________________________________  Do I like to be alone much of the time? ____________________________________________  Do I enjoy working with my hands? ______________________________________________  Do I enjoy working in a group? __________________________________________________  Do I enjoy reading? ___________________________________________________________ What do I want to accomplish in high school? ______________________________________  What might I want to do after high school? _________________________________________ ||
 * My Abilities **
 * My Abilities **
 * My Interests **
 * My Attitudes **
 * My Likes **
 * My Goals **

Ask yourself these questions and others of this kind. Do not be upset if you have trouble answering some of them. As you get older, your ideas and goals will become clearer. Talking with your counselor, parents, teachers, and friends can help you get a clearer picture of yourself.  ** Helpful Hints for Career Planning  ** ||

All high schools in Clear Creek ISD offer some career programs that are a combination of classroom courses and work experience. If you plan to participate in one of the work-based learning career programs, the following steps will help you to present yourself to prospective employers in a professional way. These steps can also be helpful if you simply plan to work part-time during high school.  · Select several career areas. · Locate sources of job information in these areas. · Take a personal inventory. · Make a job-skill inventory. · Match job skills required with your abilities and interests. · Use the aptitude and career assessment software available in the school library or career center. · Check Internet career sites. · Plan your school program to prepare you for your chosen career. (A student, parent/guardian, guidance counselor conference is encouraged.) · Check the Career and Technical Education program offerings at your school and at the Career Center. · Practice filling out applications for employment, writing letters of application, and preparing a resume. · Make an appointment for an interview. · Prepare yourself for the interview: (a) read information on job interview techniques; (b) find out all you can about the business or industry that is involved. · Select at least three people who know your qualifications and ask permission to use them as references. (Do not use relatives.)