 HOME EDUCATION INSPIRATION ISSUES PROJECTS THEMES Careers: Dream or Achieve: Part I |
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WATCH THIS DVD: Which Way Home documentary. See Latino youth strugle to get to America for opportunity. |
MAKE THE DREAM INTO A PLAN: A dream that stays a dream becomes only a fantasy of wishful thinking. You will be one of the many adults who talks about how close they were to achieving something great.  |
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I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT A CAREER What if I decide to just let things happen and don't "build my bridge"? The following are broad general statements. -Like a fishbowl you will become a bottom feeder. Whatever floats to the bottom will be yours. -You will have fewer choices in terms of how you earn an income. -You will probably not experience the income increases that professionals do over the years. -You will probably work more hours for less money. -You may be cared for by a very unpredictable government welfare system (that is already overloaded). |
| TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS: Academic Performance: Do your best in school. Many successful people were not A+ students. Learn to do your best, even if it’s a C. Brain: Right & Left: Creatively approaching your future can do wonders. Right Brain = Big picture. Left Brain = details. Community Involvement: Volunteer work for church or humanitarian organizations. Enrichment Work/Studies: Everything you need to know is not taught in school. Entrepreneurial. Become a business woman. Try your hand at making money now. Many people have multiple streams of income that include a side entrepreneurial job. Extra: Going The Extra Mile: [Story: Mrs. Robinson teaching two classes in two rooms] Habits: Fight the bipolar side of you that waste time, leans towards destructive addictive behavior, gets depressed and gives up. Don’t just plow your field to get rid of the weeds, plant something good. Marketing Yourself: Clothing, Interviewing skills, Resume’, Online & Offline: What is important to do in person, Facebook, Websites, online networking and marketing. Personal Finances: Learn to save money. Spend less and save more. This will give you more career options. This will also free up your time to do more humanitarian, missions and/or charity work. Public Speaking: A huge fear for many, but could be a great asset to your career. Try Toastmasters. Reading & Writing: Most successful people are able to process reading material quickly and have strong skills is writing. Resilience & Handling Change: Technology and methods of conducting business are changing at a rapid speed. Self Discipline: Learn to work hard. Socialization: Networking & teamwork. Sports and music programs are good for this. Networking is making the right friends/not just any friend. Talent: Time spent on talents will make your desire for entertainment decrease. Visual Communication: The ability to draw, chart, and diagram ideas skillfully will be a tremendous asset. Art is also a great left brain workout. Work: Don’t be afraid to physically and mentally sweat. Turn off your video game machine and help a local farmer bail hay. |
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FUTURE JOB MARKET: That idea that if a student just earns a degree in Medicine, Law or Engineering they will have a successful and lucrative is a gross generalization. In The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, Thomas L. Friedman suggests to “Do what you love”. This of course doesn’t mean “Do what you enjoy consuming or are entertained by”. Rather I think a better way to look at it is “Do what you know you could provide as an incredible good or service.” Without question the supply and demand chain will affect the income for the good or service you select. If there are more pharmacists available then drug store positions then the salary will drop. If there are fewer farmers for the needs of a growing population, then business savvy farmers will rise to a top income brackets. |
| LINKS: Indiana Department of Workforce Development Labor Market Information America’s Career InfoNet |
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| PART 2 |
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