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Several
factors need to be considered when choosing a career. It is important,
perhaps critical, that it be a career that you like. It is wise to be
realistic and practical, but resist the tendency to just ‘make money’. Your
happiness, contentment and peace are more important too. The
overlap of four critical factors forms a ‘sweet spot’ allowing balance in a
career that qualifies as enjoyable, satisfying, practical and financially
supportive. The
diagram below depicts the focus of career exploration and selection.
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For
explorations into the four principal considerations, utilize these links:
In choosing a career and the path to
obtain it, make sure you consider the above issues. Your exploration will
take you in many directions, make sure you have a comfortable and realistic
assessment of your options. Seek for achieving the ‘Sweet Spot’ of
intersection in the diagram at the left. More in-depth material is presented by
selecting any of the above links OR by selecting extensive detail below. To
explore the general preparations for a career, use these links: Education and Training Exploration Personal characteristics and
aptitude Life experience and on-the-job
training Formal education in professional
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Do What You Love |
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https://www.themuse.com/advice/do-what-you-love-how-to-identify-pursue-your-passions |
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Identify
and Pursue Your Passions As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you will never
have to work a day in your life.” It’s great advice, but it’s not that simple
- it can be difficult to figure out what you love and how to parlay that into
a viable business or job. Here’s a plan for finding your passions and four
ways to help you start turning them into your career. Remember
What You Loved as a Child
Often, our truest passions emerge in childhood, only to be squelched
by real life pressures. So, think about what you loved long before you had to
worry about your career. Writing? Science experiments? Taking care of people?
Getting back in touch with those instincts is an important step in finding
your passion. Eliminate
Money from the Equation
If money were no object, what would you do? Would you travel? Spend all of your
time with your children? Would you start a charitable organization to help
abused women? Of course, money can’t be ignored, but don’t let financial
pressures dictate your choices. Your career should ultimately lead to
financial security, but if financial security is the defining motivator, it’s
unlikely you’ll end up doing what you love. Ask
Your Friends for Feedback
Sometimes you’re just not the best judge of what makes you
happy. Ask the people who know you intimately when you seem the happiest and
what you do the most enthusiastically. Their answers may surprise you. Identify
your Professional Hero
Of everyone you know personally or in your extended frame of
reference whose |
career would you most
want to emulate? Reach out to learn more about how they got to where they
are, or, if that’s not possible,
read everything you can about their career and life. Then consider refining by further… 1. Talk to a Career
Counselor Career counselors help
others figure out what they want for a living, and they’ll have insights and
tools to help you zero in on the things you love most and do best, and also
be able to offer ideas and guidance on how to find a career that best suits
those passions. Take advantage of those resources. 2. Leverage Social Media More than ever, we live
in a social world. Once you’ve identified what it is that you love, get busy on Facebook, and LinkedIn,
connect with people who share your areas of interest. Read blogs, join
forums; find out what it’s really like to do what you love. 3. Start Saving Money Once you feel strongly
that you want to start down this new path, start saving. A lot. The more money
you have in the bank, the less finances will have to rule your decisions. And
the less scary it will be if or when you do quit your current job. 4. Just Do It Ultimately, you won’t
really know what you love to do unless you actually bite the bullet. Until
you give it a go, it’s really just speculation. So, whether you take a small
step like signing up for a class or you roll up your sleeves and do it. You’ll
never know until you try. |
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What Do You Do Well |
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There
are two basic skills: Hard skills: Skills that are tangible. You can see hard
skills play out reaching an outcome.:
Soft skills: Skills you can't touch or see. Skills like being a great
listener. Skills are things that you can improve and get better at without
changing your personality, like communicating, analysis, and connecting. Finding Your Soft Skills Within
-- Looking within builds up our self-awareness, and helps us know ourselves.
It's a problem not knowing what you're skilled at. So,
stop looking within and start asking around. Who do you spend the most time
with? Ask those who know you what they think your skills are. Like a writer
who can’t see the mistakes in their own work, we have blind spots in our own
skill sets. Look Back in Time
-- The answers you are looking for are probably right there in front of you.
So, go through your old performance reviews, letters, feedback reports, and
even report cards from school. Usually our skills don't go away – they only
get stronger with practice – so don't be afraid to look farther back. Imagine --,You were given a project Maybe it's a work project or something in
your personal life. Imagine you were responsible for the entire project:
What
part of the project would you look forward to the most? What portion would
you feel the most comfortable with, would come easy to you? Those things are
in line with your skills. This uses analytical, organization, and
problem-solving skills. What
Comes Naturally to You? This may come as a surprise to you, but
what comes naturally to you doesn't come naturally to everybody. For
instance, there are people that can make friends with everybody and anybody.
It isn't something have practiced or tried to improve, it's just something
they have always been good at. I'm not that way. I have fewer, closer
friends. So, take a moment and think: what is easy for you that might not be
for others? |
Finding
your Hard Skills? -- Often,
it's easier for us to identify our hard skills. Are you good at acting?
Crafting? Public speaking? Now look at the soft skills behind these hard
skills. For instance, say you are really good at playing the guitar. Precision
is a soft skill required by guitar players, as is focus and the ability to
listen. When you think of hard skills, you
think of talents. Communicating with others, knitting, singing, math. These
things are things that you're good at doing. But sometimes, we come up against
mental blocks so we have a hard time thinking about what we're good at. Here
are a few helpful hints: What
You Don't Already Know -- So,
try your hand at different activities and skills and see what you enjoy
doing. If you enjoy doing it, and you're not good just yet, you can always
become good… Essentially, you love to do what you're
good at. And you're good at what you practice. So
don't stop everything you aren't immediately in love with. Practice a little
first, improve, and make a habit out of doing it. Make a schedule and show
up. And if it doesn't feel natural even
after you improve? It's probably not right for you. What
do you love to do? -- We've
already established that you tend to love what you're good at. So let's look at those things you already love to do: If you love to write, you're probably
good (or becoming good) at writing If you've always loved making crafts,
you're probably good with your hands.t If you've loved debating with others,
you're probably good at structuring arguments. Most in Your Element? -- Think back in your life about a handful
of times that you felt the most comfortable. When you were doing something
that was engrossing to you. That made you excited. What were you doing? We
are most comfortable when we're doing something that we're skilled at. That's
when we're in our comfort zone. |
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What the World Needs |
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2018/02/18// |
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The world will always need employees
and entrepreneurs that are flexible, agile, adaptable, creative and responsive.
Apart from evolving technology, there
is market volatility, environmental concerns and geopolitical issues that
lead to change, unpredictability and uncertainty. How do you target a career
with many influential forces at work and the end results still unclear? Here
are five career building principles for long-term planning in a short-term
environment: Beware of Experience Leading to Insular Thinking Experience is a good thing when it
brings wisdom and perspective, but in times of change, unpredictability and
uncertainty, relying too much on experience (or what happened before) might
cause you to miss or misread new trends. Make sure your experience isn’t
leading you to insular, or same-old, thinking. Proactively tap into other
industries, companies and people outside your immediate area of focus – read
publications outside your specialty, follow companies outside your industry,
expand your network beyond your day-to-day role. Some Skills Need to Be Learned, Some Unlearned Digital skills – social platforms,
mobile technology,
website programming -- are an obvious example of a skill-sets
that most people need to learn to stay competitive. Equally important to new
skills that need to be learned, some skills need to be unlearned. For
example, more companies have flat structures and fluid hierarchies, so a
command-and-control management style might need to be unlearned in favor of a
more collaborative approach. Look at where you are dependent on other people
to get the job done, and identify if anything you are delegating now is
actually something you need to learn for yourself or risk becoming obsolete. Connections Need to Be Refreshed or Replenished Just like some skills will serve better
than others in a changing environment, so will |
your network of connections change over
time. Depending on where you are in your career, you will need different
expertise, different information, and different levels of support, so your
connections should change as you change. If you don’t tend to your existing
network, you won’t have any relationships to rely on. If you don’t
continually add to your existing network, your relationships won’t reflect
your current interests and goals. Connect with someone outside your immediate
day-to-day work. When was the last time you met someone new who is now an
ongoing part of your circle? What Got You This Far Will Not Get You Further Be mindful and proactive about updating
your experience, skills and network. What got you this far will not get you
further, when the world around you is changing. Be willing to question what
you are doing and look for a better, more productive, more efficient way.
Stay vigilant of areas where you haven’t made any changes or are coasting on
past accomplishments. Look at your next quarter, year and three-year plan:
what initiatives are on your calendar that will lead to meaningful results? Remember You Are Always 'In-Between' Projects As you tend to your experience, skills,
connections and mindset, give yourself a sense of urgency that today’s
changing market means we are always in-between projects. Permanent, full-time
employment doesn’t mean permanent opportunity or a rich, full schedule.
Continually ask for stretch opportunities and projects that will develop you.
You have to stay marketable and well-connected, don’t leave you suddenly
without options. You have to maintain a pipeline of alternative opportunities
so you ensure that you’re staying where you are because that’s the best
option, not the only one. Today’s long-term career planning is
not about knowing exactly where you will be in the future – there is too much
uncertainty, unpredictability and change to make specific future plans.
However, if you build a career that continually expands your experience,
skill base, network of connections, mindset and options, then it doesn’t
matter exactly what changes you face. You will have the agility, flexibility
and adaptability to meet those changes and build a career that makes sense
for you for that market. |
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What the World Will
Pay for |
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http://www.educationplanner.org/students/career-planning/explore-salary-pay/what-to-expect.shtml |
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What do you expect in the Real World? Even
with an internship or a degree in hand and an enthusiastic outlook, you may
find yourself disoriented and overwhelmed when you first enter the job
market. Here are some things to keep in mind
when you're responsible for earning your own way: The more you learn, the more you earn. Earn more than an extra quarter million
dollars in your lifetime just by staying in high school and graduating.
Easily double that by getting a 2-year associate degree. More education leads to a bigger paycheck. More education means less unemployment.
In 2009, the unemployment rates based on degree earned were: ·
5.2% for a bachelor's degree ·
6.8% for an associate's degree ·
9.7% or a high school diploma College graduates who get laid off
generally find work faster than high school graduates do. The reason? More
and more in the United States, there are fewer openings in low-skilled,
entry-level jobs. Career choice means a lot. If you're looking for job security,
choose a career in a growing industry. More job opportunities mean you'll
have more choice—choice of position, choice of work hours, choice of job
location. |
It goes without saying that your career
also determines your salary potential… you're likely to earn more as a
medical doctor than as a social worker, even though both require education
beyond a bachelor's degree. Want to find out how much you can
expect to earn for the career you are interested in? Visit the Visit salary.com site. Where you live is as important as what you do. When you finally decide to settle down
and set up house, where you choose to live can have a huge impact on your
cost of living, your income and standard of living. Salaries for the same job vary
geographically. For example, architects in Maryland earn more than architects
in Iowa. But in Maryland, rent is higher, gas is more expensive, even food
costs more. Keep this in mind as you explore
careers and salaries. Job benefits go beyond just income. Your take-home pay is only one
component of what an employer will offer you. Employers pay for all sorts of
other things that make up your full benefits package, including time off,
health care, disability, and retirement, to name a few. So, crunch the numbers and look at the
perks. Don't make a career decision based on salary alone. It is clear that
adequate preparation with an on-the-job internship or a more formal degree
improves the financial stability of the job seeker. A degree or experience is
not sufficient for beginning a career. The softer personal qualifications
that are flexible, agile, adaptable, creative and responsive are attractive
in the workplace and rewarded. |
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Education
and Training Exploration |
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At some point, most people
take stock of their lives in terms of what they want to do and talents they’ve
developed to do it. While the optimal time to make assessments and
purposefully plan for a career while in high school, anytime is a good time
to discover what your good at, what you want to be and make a plan and goals. In
any case, a conscious effort is needed in order to prepare to support oneself
and a family. While at this stage of emphasis is on ‘making money’; wisdom
should ultimately prevail with a career that is fulfilling and brings a sense
of happiness. This
section presents information to assist with initial decisions to help you
understand yourself, your aptitudes and your choices of development for
becoming a productive and happy individual. Consider
these less expensive options in preparing for a career or trade: ·
Attend a Community College for
Certifications ·
Learn a Trade ·
Take On-Line Classes ·
Join the Military, Learn an MOS and
Earn a GI Bill ·
Become an Apprentice ·
Attend a Vocational school Three
principle elements are discussed in more detail at the right: What
are your innate characteristics and how do they influence your aptitude. What
are the opportunities for life experience to shape the career you seek What
are the educational options available for career development.
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Personal characteristics and aptitude Life experience and on the job training Formal education in professional fields |
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Personal
Aptitude |
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What
are my personal characteristics and aptitude?
This section focuses on who you are and what you like to do. How you
handle situations with people, how you solve problems or how inventive ‘and
creative you are. The
links at the right expand on these answers. |
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Meyers-Briggs
Personality |
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The
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a set of questions based on psychology.
By answering the questions, people can learn about how they tend to make
choices. They can also learn about how they view the world. After answering the questions in the
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, people are placed in one of sixteen groups. The set of questions was made to help women
who were working for the first time. Though
there are sixteen types, it is stated that there is no best type. The types
are considered all equal. The type consists of four letters, one for each of
four specific measurements. All possible combinations yield sixteen unique
types. Outlooks:
extraversion / introversion The
MBTI measures four things. The first is extraversion (E) and introversion (I).
Extraverts are people who get energy from the outside world. Extraverts like
to spend their time with other people. Introverts are people who get energy
from the inside world. Introverts tend to get energy from thinking and
reflecting. Information gathering:
sensing / intuition The
second measure is sensing (S) and intuition (N). Sensing and intuition are ways
of gathering information. People who are sensing trust facts. Sensing people
accept things if they can see, hear, touch, taste, or smell them. People who
tend to like intuition are more likely to accept outcomes based on other
people and meanings that cannot be tested. |
Decision making:
thinking / feeling The
third measure is thinking (T) and feeling (F). Thinking and feeling are ways
that people make decisions. Those who prefer thinking tend to make decisions
alone. They heavily weigh reason, good sense, order, and cause and effect.
Those who prefer feeling are more likely to think of the effect that a
decision may have on other people. They tend to try to gain balance and
agreement with everyone that is involved. Those
who prefer thinking do not “think better” than those who prefer Feeling, and
those who prefer feeling do not make decisions based only on people. Dealing with others:
judging / perceiving The
last measure is of judging (J) and perceiving (P). Judging and perceiving
detail how people deal with the outside world. A person who likes Judging
tends to report that they use Thinking or feeling to deal with the outside
world. A person who likes perceiving tends to report that they use sensing or
intuition to deal with the outside world. The
unique type determined for an individual yields two benefits. First it gives
personal insight into personality and exposes process preferences. Second
unique type provides an assessment of career suitability or personal ‘fit’. There
are a number of on-line tests that utilize the Myers-Briggs approach to
suggest the degree of ‘fit’ for various career types. |
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Career Assessment
Tools |
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Alison Doyle https://www.thebalancecareers.com/free-career-aptitude-tests-2059813 |
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When you are not sure what type of job you want or what you want
to do next with your career, an aptitude test can help you narrow down your
job choices and help you choose a career path that is compatible with your
interests, skills, values, and personality. Career tests can give you concrete ideas about what you possibly
should do rather than just an opportunity to simply ponder what you want to
do. There are a variety of free career tests available that address
one or more of these factors, but no test that captures all of the elements
essential to choosing a career. Do keep in mind that some tests aren't
scientifically validated. However, they are quick and easy to take and
provide insight into what type of jobs you might want to research and
investigate further. Spend some time taking a few tests and quizzes and see what
results you get. Then you can compare and contrast the job options you're
given to decide if any of them are worth exploring further through reading,
informational interviews, job shadowing, and internships. Free Career
Aptitude Tests The tests on the right of the page are available for free online
and can be a good start to identifying your suitability for a career. |
123 Career Test:
This test can help you gain insight into the
careers that best fit your personality. Learn what kind of work environments
and occupations suit you best. Color Career Quiz: Color
can be an indicator of what jobs are right for you. This is a quick
five-minute test that analyzes your personality based on the colors you
select. Keirsey Temperament Sorter:
This test helps understand your personality type
and discover what type of temperament you have. It suggests a predominant
personality type including Artisan, Guardian, Rational, or Idealist that
influences your career. O*NET Interests Profiler:
The United States Department of Labor provides users a 60-question interest
inventory that yields a list of careers related to each cluster, and can then
sort those careers into five job zones based on levels of preparation ranging
from little job preparation to extensive preparation. Path Source: A free career exploration solution that
helps students and job seekers make better career choices with a free mobile
app. Users can produce lists of careers based on personality characteristics
and an interest profile. A collection of 2600 informational interview videos
of workers in a broad range of professions Skills Matcher: The Department of Labor developed a
resource to enable users to assess the skills they want to incorporate into
their careers. You rate basic skills like reading, writing, speaking,
scientific reasoning, and critical thinking, as well as social, technical,
analytical, computer, problem-solving, and resource management skills. Sokanu: Platform for users to assess their interests, personality types, abilities,
career values, and preferred work and social environments. After users
respond to questions, it lists information on each of the suggested career
options |
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Life Experience
Training |
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Some
individuals learn new things simply by doing them. These experiences can be
considered ‘on-the-job training’ and motivate you to get an education to
advance yourself. The
links at the right expand on these opportunities. |
Continuing Education After High School Alternatives to the 4-Year College Hands -On Career Apprenticeship 10 Jobs That Start with an
Apprenticeship U S Department of Labor Apprenticeship |
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Options
After High School |
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You
have more options than you may realize for continuing your education after
high school. It’s called postsecondary education. Here
are options on how to continue your education after high school ·
Earn a two- or four-year degree at a college. ·
Enroll in a certificate program at a community college. ·
Enter an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeships are formal
combinations of classroom and on-the-job training. ·
Enter an occupation-specific training program. These are
sometimes called trade schools or vocational schools. ·
Enroll in an inclusive college campus program. One example is
Think College, a college option for people with intellectual disabilities. |
·
Start or continue training in a career or technical education
program. ·
Join a branch of the military: Air Force, Army, Coast
Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy . ·
Apply to Job Corps. Job Corp is a
no-cost career technical training and education program for low income
young people ages 16 through 24. ·
Take an online course in a field that interests you. Accredited Schools Online is a website that
presents online postsecondary programs. ·
Try a gap year program. ·
Work and take adult or continuing education classes. ·
Enroll in a one-year program to explore specific skills. ·
Enter a volunteer program where you travel and work for a year
in the US or abroad. |
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Continuing Education
After High School |
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Continuing
education after high school may seem natural for some students but may be
completely wrong for others. The options can seem overwhelming. Once a teen
has decided to pursue education after high school, more questions will need
to be addressed.. Undergraduate Degrees When continuing education
after high school, earning a degree or some sort of certification is widely
required in pursuing many careers. Associate Degree An associate degree is a
two-year degree. Generally, an associate degree is 60 credits, an equivalent
to about 20 courses over 4 semesters. Associate degrees typically focus on
preparing students for entry-level work, basic skills and knowledge in their
field of study. Students may complete general education requirements, and
then transfer to a four-year degree at a different college or university. 2+2 Programs Many colleges and
universities have 2+2 programs, partnering with local community colleges.
These programs allow students to earn an associate degree from the community
college and then enroll for their last two years at a four-year university or
college to earn their bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s Degree It generally takes four
years to complete Bachelor’s degrees requiring a wide breadth of general
education and liberal arts classes. Students complete a set of required
courses for graduation, some outside the student’s major: english,
psychology, history, math etc. A bachelor’s degree aims to equip graduates
with well rounded skills and knowledge for their
professional field. |
Community College An
undergraduate associate degree is
usually completed at a community college. Like four-year programs, students
can still get general education credits at a community college. This can be
good for students who don’t have a specific major, as it provides a
well-rounded education, explore options to find a specialty. Professional Certification Community
colleges provide professional certificates in some fields. This is different
from earning a degree because it provides specific skills that are required
in a particular job. Some colleges provide this type of certification, others
do not. Career and Technical Education Career and technical
education is broad and includes programs in high
school, career centers, community and technical colleges. Technical programs
offer students hands-on experience for a specific career, generally, with a
certification in a field or trade. Apprenticeship Apprenticeship is the
process of learning a skilled occupation through paid, on-the-job training.
Apprentices train under experienced workers and are often accompanied with
classroom study through local community colleges or technical programs. Military The military can provide
valuable job training and education. Working towards a degree while in the
military, the military will provide tuition assistance for those pursuing
college or certification. Meet with a military recruiter to learn more. For full details on any of
the above, see the web site here. |
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Is
College Worth It? |
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Tucker
Carlson |
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College
has become "crushingly expensive," but is it worth it? Tucker
Carlson posed the question, asking whether American families are getting what
they pay for out of the nation's institutions of higher learning. He
pointed to research based on tracking 2,000 college students over several
years. It found that 45 percent of students "did not demonstrate any
significant improvement in learning" over the first two years of college
and 40 percent "didn't learn anything at all over all four years." The
study found a 50 percent decline in reported study time by students compared
with their counterparts several decades ago. Instead, students spent more
than twice as much time on recreational activities. "Multiply
this by an entire country and you wind up with a deeply ignorant
population," Carlson noted, explaining U.S. adult literacy has declined
in the last 25 years, despite rising college enrollment. Amid
these trends, he said colleges have failed to increase "academic
rigor" and college classes are getting "flimsier," with grade
inflation rampant. Carlson said graduates "are getting dumber" but
this is not reflected in grades given to students. |
"Grade
inflation is everywhere," he said, pointing out that an "A" is
the most common grade, according to the New York Times. "More
students are failing, yet almost nobody fails. ... Colleges barely teach, yet
every year they increase their fees. Try that in a private business, you
might get indicted for fraud. Do it at an American university and you get
billions in taxpayer subsidies," he argued. Carlson
followed the monologue by talking to St. John's College (N.M.) President Mark
Roosevelt, who called his school perhaps the most rigorous in the country. He
agreed that overall, there has been "slippage" in terms of what
American universities are requiring of students. Watch
the segment on YouTube here |
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Alternatives
to the 4-Year College |
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To
decide whether or not college is truly for everyone, consider both the
history of higher ed, and the pros and cons of attending a 4-year university.
Now look at alternatives to the traditional 4-year degree. One-quarter
of college grads are in jobs that don’t require a degree. And of the 30 jobs
projected to grow the fastest in the next decade, only 7 require a standard
4-year degree. Although
it may not seem like it based on what is head in the media and from the
general public, there are a number of very legitimate opportunities other
than the traditional 4-year college for high school graduates to take a look
at. Ultimately,
you have to think about your life goals. Mary Docken,
a prominent voice in education advocacy, says, “Students need to think about
what their interests are, how they like to learn, what motivates them, what
financial realities they face, what type of work they see themselves doing –
(sitting behind a desk with a computer in front of them, building things,
working with people, etc.).” For
some professions – like many of those in STEM fields – college is absolutely
the right choice. But for many, it ends up being a waste of time and money.
For some, college even limits your career options, as you get strapped into
thinking you have to go into a certain major (most often business) in order
to be successful. That’s just not the reality, however. At
the right, are highlighted 10 very legitimate options to consider after high
school. Some of them can lead to lifetime careers, and some of them are seen
more as transition periods to decide life’s next steps — whether that’s
ultimately to go on to college or to take another path. Either way, they
should be considered right along with 4-year colleges for every high schooler
out there struggling to try to figure out what to do next. |
Consider
the following list of options: ·
Attend community college. ·
Get into a trade. ·
Start a business. ·
Be an artist. ·
Take online classes. ·
Take a job … any job. ·
Sell real estate. ·
Volunteer. ·
Join the military. ·
Become an apprentice/fellow. ·
Attend a work college. It can be concluded that
when you get down to it, there’s no easy yes or no answer as to whether or
not one outweighs the other. And finally, are presented a variety of options
for the high school graduate who wishes to do something different with their
life. See the details of these
options in the complete presentation here. |
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Hands
- On Apprenticeships |
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An
apprenticeship is an opportunity to receive hands-on career training, an
education, and a paycheck! Apprentices earn while they learn, reducing their
need to take on debt. In fact, nearly 9 out of 10 apprentices are employed
after completing their apprenticeship with an average starting salary of $60K
per year. What
is an apprenticeship? An
apprenticeship is an arrangement that includes a paid-work component and an
educational or instructional component, wherein an individual obtains
workplace-relevant knowledge and skills. What
is a registered apprenticeship? Registered
apprenticeships are high-quality work-based learning and post-secondary
earn-and-learn models that meet national standards for registration with the
U.S. Department of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship
Agencies). How
is registered apprenticeship different from other work-based training models? Registered
apprenticeship training is distinguished from other types of workplace
training by several factors: 1. participants who are newly hired (or
already employed) earn wages from employers during training; |
2. programs
must meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of
Labor (or federally-recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies) 3. programs
provide on-the-job learning and job-related technical instruction; 4. on-the-job
learning is conducted in the work setting under the direction of one or more
of the employer’s personnel; and 5. training
results in an industry-recognized credential How long are registered apprenticeship
programs? The length of an apprenticeship program
can vary depending on the employer, complexity of the occupation, and the
type of program. Registered apprenticeship programs typically range from one
year to six years. During the program, the apprentice receives both
structured, on-the-job training and job-related education. For each year of
the apprenticeship, the apprentice will normally receive 2,000 hours of
on-the-job training and a recommended minimum of 144 hours of related
classroom instruction. Read more Frequently Asked Questions from the
U.S. Department of Labor |
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Jobs that Start with an Apprenticeship |
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As
the cost of a four-year degree continues to surge higher, a more traditional form
of education seems to be catching on: the apprenticeship. Government data
reveals that low-cost or paid apprenticeship gigs are making a rebound among
young people, adults already established in the workforce, and military
veterans. Why an Apprenticeship? The
reason behind the growing number of apprenticeship programs is simple – the
vocational careers and trades that require apprentices are in demand. For
example, from 2012 to 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts
exceptional growth for these industries: In
addition to pent-up demand, apprenticeships also offer perks that you can’t
generally get with a college degree. Consider the following facts from the
U.S. Department of Labor: Apprenticeships actually pay you to
learn. Unlike
traditional degree programs that cost money — and lots of it —
apprenticeships pay you as you learn a skill or trade. As the U.S. Department
of Labor notes, the average starting wage for an apprentice is $15 an hour.
However, incremental wage increases are common as the program progresses. Apprenticeships pay off. The average annual salary for an apprentice
who completes his or her program is more than $50,000. Compared to high
school graduates, workers who complete an apprenticeship can earn
approximately $300,000 more over the course of their careers. |
You
have a wealth of options. Although many might think apprenticeships are just
for carpenters and plumbers, there are plenty of other options. Careers that
start with an apprenticeship are wide and varied and can include
electricians, dental assistants, fire medics, pipefitters, and able seamen. It
may not take as long as you think. While some apprenticeships last six years,
the vast majority take one to four years to complete. You’ll typically work
full-time hours as an apprentice and receive some classroom instruction on
the side. Either way, since they’re paying you to learn all along, taking
time out for school is often less of a burden. 10 Fast-Growing Jobs That Offer
Apprenticeships Elevator
Installers and Repairers Pile-Driver
Operators Plumbers,
Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Electricians Structural
Iron and Steel Workers Mechanical
Insulation Workers Brickmasons, Blockmasons, and Stonemasons Carpenters Solar
Photovoltaic Installers Cement
Masons and Concrete Finishers For
more detail on the above apprenticeships see the full article here. |
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U S Department of Labor Apprenticeship |
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Apprenticeships
combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare
workers highly-skilled careers. Workers
benefit from apprenticeships by receiving a skills-based education that
prepares them for good-paying jobs. Apprenticeship programs help employers
recruit and retain a highly-skilled workforce. The
Department of Labor’s role is to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, ensure
equality of access to apprenticeship programs, and provide integrated
employment and training information to apprenticeship sponsors and the local
employment and training community. The
Office of Apprenticeship within Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
can help both employees and employers get started with apprenticeship.
Information is also available by subscribing to the Office of
Apprenticeship's email newsletter. |
Related Web Pages The
Department of Labor’s on-line one-stop platform to connect job seekers, job
creators, training providers, parents, teachers, and federal and local
workforce agencies with information and resources to learn more about
apprenticeships, how to establish apprenticeship program, and how to access
open apprenticeship opportunities. Office
of Apprenticeship – Provides
information about apprenticeship for employers and employees that explains
what apprenticeship programs are, how employers can establish apprenticeship
programs, and how individuals can apply to become apprentices. View
the Department of Labor main page here |
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CareerOneStop Apprenticeships |
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https://www.careeronestop.org/findtraining/types/apprenticeships.aspx |
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Apprenticeships
combine a full-time job with training—and prepare workers to enter in-demand
careers. Apprenticeships
provide affordable pathways to high-paying jobs and careers without the
typical student debt associated with college. Career
seekers can find apprenticeships in industries such as information
technology, finance and business, healthcare, hospitality, transportation,
and manufacturing. More
than 90 percent of apprentices remain employed after completing their
program, and their average starting wage is more than $60,000. Over their
careers, apprentices can possibly earn $300,000 more than workers who did not
complete an apprenticeship. |
To
find apprenticeship opportunities that match your interests and skills, visit
the new Apprenticeship Finder on Apprenticeship.gov — a one-stop source to
connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship
resources. For
more detail on Career One Stop apprenticeships see the site here |
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Additional References |
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Mar
9, 2018 - And he's right that higher education is not all it's cracked up to
be — that doesn't mean it couldn't be fixed. College
Education - ProCon.org https://college-education.procon.org/ Oct
1, 2018 - People who argue that college is not worth it contend
that the debt from college loans is too high and delays
graduates from saving for retirement, buying a house, or getting married.
They say many successful people never graduated from college and
that many jobs, especially trades jobs, do not require college degrees. Is a College Education Worth It? · Background of the Issue · Reader Comments Is
College Worth It? Here's What the Numbers Say | Student Loan Hero https://studentloanhero.com/student-loans/is-college-worth-it/ Sep
12, 2017 - To make sure college is worth the debt,
you need to have a clear plan of how you'll be successful. ... Leaving school
without a degree or certificate puts you in a position of taking on debt
without the benefits a degree can offer. This includes more employment
opportunities and higher pay potential. Is
College Worth It? | Why a College Education Still Matters https://csuglobal.edu/resources/frequently-asked-questions-faq/is-college-worth-it Is
a degree still worth the time and money necessary? Do employers
value a college education as much as they once did? Read on to
see if a university degree... OPINION:
Is college worth it? Students can learn to calculate the payoff https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-college-worth-students-can-learn-calculate-payoff/ |
Jan
2, 2018 - Investing in college is no different. ... It's
compelling evidence that a degree from a four-year institution is a good
investment. It is less well known whether community college degrees
are worth the cost. Yes,
College Is 'Worth It,' One Researcher Says. It's Just Worth More if ... https://www.chronicle.com/article/Yes-College-Is-Worth/243450 May
17, 2018 - The question
“Is college worth it?” is a favorite of op-ed writers.
Its latest iteration, published in The New York Times this week, argues
firmly that ... Is
College Worth It? Consider These Factors - Student Debt Relief https://www.studentdebtrelief.us/college-tips/is-college-worth-it/ Jul
29, 2018 - A number like this may make college seem like the
wrong choice. ... Looking at social and well-being factors, a college degree's
worth becomes ... Opinion
| College May Not Be Worth It Anymore - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/opinion/college-useful-cost-jobs.html May
16, 2018 - For the poor, higher education may hurt more than it helps. Is
College Worth It? A Debt Affordability Calculator — NerdWallet https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/is-college-worth-it/
Sep
25, 2018 – College is typically worth it if you
limit student debt and graduate. Here's why, and how to estimate how much you
should borrow for college to ... Yes,
College is Worth It - The Weekly Standard https://www.weeklystandard.com/peter-mcpherson/is-college-worth-it |
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Professional
Education |
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The
traditional education path involves various levels of college or university
study. This is a more rigorous program and typically involves focusing on a specific
field or profession. It is a more expensive path and typically takes four or
more years to complete. The
links at the right expand on options to this choice |
Online Colleges for Education Degrees |
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Online Colleges for
Education Degrees |
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https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/degrees/education?pid=6000&f_show=all |
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For
those interested in becoming a teacher, online programs are an option. Online
education degrees are available at 493 accredited colleges and universities.
The comprehensive list of online education degrees includes options at the
associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate levels. In
addition to this web-based list, the best online bachelor's in education and
best master's programs, ranked based on tuition costs and alumni salaries, as
reported by PayScale. The
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is the primary
programmatic accrediting body for education degrees. Accreditation is very
important for online education degrees, especially for students looking to
earn a teaching license. Prospective
students should make sure that the online programs they are considering are
recognized by the teaching board in the state where they hope to earn
licensure. Select
this link to access the interactive site. |
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G
I Bill Overview |
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https://www.military.com/education/gi-bill/learn-to-use-your-gi-bill.html |
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For members of the military
that are honorably discharged at the end of their enlistment the GI bill
benefit is available. The GI Bill refers to
Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits earned by Active Duty,
Selected Reserve and National Guard Forces and their families. The benefit is designed to
help servicemembers and eligible veterans cover the costs associated with
getting an education or training. The GI Bill has several programs and each
is administrated differently -- depending on a person's eligibility and duty
status. GI Bill Programs For a description of each
GI Bill program, including eligibility requirements, and payment amounts
select from this list of currently active major GI Bill programs: The following programs are available to survivors of
servicemembers who die in the line of duty or dependents of totally disabled
veterans: |
Training Available with Your GI Bill There
are several types of training you can use your GI Bill benefits for. |
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G
I Bill Top 5 Things to Know |
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https://www.military.com/education/gi-bill/5-must-know-gi-bill-facts.html |
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1. You May Have No Time Limit on Using
Your GI Bill If
you left the military after Jan. 1, 2013 you have no time limit on using your
GI Bill. Those
discharged prior to that and using the Montgomery GI Bill have 10 years from
their discharge date to use all their GI Bill or they lose it. Those
discharged prior to Jan. 1, 2013 and using the Post-9/11 GI Bill have 15
years from their discharge. 2. The GI Bill is not Federal Financial
Aid The
GI Bill is not considered Financial Aid in the traditional sense. College and
University financial aid departments do not consider the GI Bill financial
aid because it is normally paid directly to you, not the school. Most schools
will require you to sign a promissory note or apply for student loans to pay
them upfront. You will then be required to pay these loans -
hopefully with your GI Bill payments. This
also means that you are eligible for student loans, scholarships, and Pell
Grants along with the GI Bill 3. You can stop and start using the GI
Bill as needed Unfortunately,
many people believe that once you apply for benefits you have to remain enrolled
in school to get the full benefit. Thankfully that's not true; you can use
the GI Bill for any period of time You
can also use it as you progress towards your education goal. If you use your
benefits wisely, your GI Bill benefits can help you finish your associates,
work on your bachelor's, and later, complete your master's degree. 4. A "month" of benefits
doesn't always mean a month The
GI Bill benefit provides 36 months of education benefits. There are two ways |
the
term month is used. One way is for
active duty, and the other is used for veterans. The following should help
you to better understand this aspect of the GI Bill. For
the Post-9/11 GI Bill: If
you go to classes full time for either 1 month or 30 days you use 1 month worth of benefits. For example, if your classes go
from February 1 to March 15 you use 1.5 months of benefits (1 month for
February - since it is a calendar month, and 1/2 month for March - since you
were in classes for 15 days.) For
the Montgomery GI Bill: If
you are a veteran you are basically charged one month of entitlement for each
month of full-time training you take. If
you are on active duty and you go to school full-time for four months, but
your tuition is only $1,000, you will still be charged for four months of
your 36 month entitlement. In this example a
"month" actually does mean a month. 5. The GI Bill pays according to the
number of credits you take The
Post-9/11 GI Bill pays according to several factors, the main factors being
number of months served on active duty and the number of credits pursued. If
you are attending a public school, the Post-9/11 GI Bill can pay your full
tuition directly to the school. You will receive a monthly housing allowance
and up to $1000 a year for books and supplies. The housing allowance is paid
at a percentage based on your active duty service, and your credit load. See
our Post-9/11 Overview page for detailed information. The
Montgomery GI Bill payment rates are based on several factors, the biggest
being your credit load. For example, a
full-time student using the Montgomery GI Bill will get up to $1,928, while a
half-time student will only get half that amount. Learn
more about how GI Bill Payment Rates work here. |
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