Making Career Connections
by Nora Rhoades, Family and Youth Development Agent
Throughout one’s lifelong journey career development is defined on a continuum. Young children begin acting out their futures through play with limitless imaginations about their talents and interests. As youth grow, teenagers inherit desires to self-explore while developing a unique definition of individuality. With self-exploration comes an increased expectation of responsibility and a greater understanding of one’s community, culture, and society. It is throughout one’s adolescent years that career exploration becomes a decision-making process that aligns values with talents in order to pursue a career that meets needs while also providing satisfaction.
Summer vacation is a great opportunity for teens to focus on career exploration.
- Interview people who are employed in an occupation.
- Job shadow someone in a career that appeals to you.
- Serve an internship or apply for a part-time job with a business or organization.
- Volunteer with an organization, doing tasks relevant to your possible future career.
- Attend a career fair or a job fair.
As you go about your exploration, be sure to pay attention to detail and take notes. Career decision-making will require a lot of personal reflection to best determine what opportunities are a good fit. Some things to consider include:
- What personal characteristics, qualities, skills, and abilities are needed to work in this career?
- What are two or more characteristics of this position that appeal to you?
- Describe a typical work day or work week?
- Would you enjoy doing this every day? Why or why not?
- What steps must you take to prepare yourself to work in this career (such as education, licensing, certification)?
- What can I learn in school that will help me in this career?
- What are the working conditions and physical demands of this career?
- What are the benefits of this career (such as salary, health, and travel)?
- What are future prospects and outlook for this career?
Teen Leaders Gain MOMENTUM at Discovery Days
The Post Rock District had 19 delegates attend the Kansas 4-H Discovery Days which took place June 3-6, 2014 at Kansas State University. The annual event is an opportunity for teen leaders to network with peers from across the state as they engage in a variety of hands-on learning experiences that focus on self-growth and career exploration. Learning experiences ranged from bacon farming to laughing through leadership and from exploring computer science to relationship smarts. The Discovery Days theme, MOMENTUM, summarizes the experience as an opportunity to take a chance, never give up, do what it takes, and believe in yourself.
Source: Build Your Future by Michigan State University Extension. Made available through National 4-H Council.
