Learning About Careers

1. Learning About Careers • Basic Job Factors • job duties and responsibilities • job prospects • education, training and skills • salary and fringe benefits • advancement opportunities • work location and environment

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities • determine how you’ll spend your work day • described as tasks e.g. – file, take photos, drive truck • described as worker traits (noteworthy characteristics) *e.g. – able to plan/organize, memory for details, desire to help people

3. Job Prospects • the long-term opportunities predicted for the career field • United States Department of Labor http://www.dol.gov/

4. Education, Training & Skills Education gaining knowledge to live and work in today’s society Training applying that knowledge through practice Skills the abilities that result from education and training

5. Levels of Jobs: Entry-Level • require no pervious training • on-the-job-training (OTJ) provided • generally require a high school diploma • usually pay low wages

6. Levels of Jobs: Advanced Training • some job skills are needed • skills are obtained through high school career and technical education (CTE) programs, community colleges or apprenticeships programs e.g. – Early Childhood, Culinary Arts, Building Construction • may a short-course program, associates degree

7. Levels of Jobs: College Degree • a two- or four-year program is completed • require a B.A./B.S. or masters degree

8. Levels of Jobs: Other Education • license or certificates, which are issued by local, state or federal governments • meet some education and experience requirements • E.g. – cosmetology, welding

9. Salary & Fringe Benefits Salary • minimum wage for Nevada is $7.25 or $8.25 (as of June 2011) http://www.minimum-wage.us/states http://www.minimum-wage.org/minwage/international • annual review • promotions • regular 40-hour week; time-and-a-half for anything over 40 hours • accumulate more vacation for more time worked • salary

10. Salary & Fringe Benefits Fringe Benefits rewards given to an employee in addition to wages/salary Examples of Fringe Benefits • paid vacation • sick time • personal leave • health insurance • pension / retirement • may not seem important when you first get a job but they grow “richer” when you have been with your company longer

11. Advancement Opportunities • very few people start at the top of the pay scale • questions to ask yourself Is there opportunity for advancement inside the company, or is it limited? Does the company fill openings by promoting its employees, or by hiring outsiders? Is there opportunity for advancement outside the firm due to rapid growth in the field? • as you master each responsibility you become more valuable to the employer

12. Work Location & Environment Cost of living the amount of money needed for rent, food, travel and other everyday expenses • compare the cost of living when considering jobs in different areas • evaluate the quality of recreational facilities and educational opportunities • make sure the work environment is pleasant • you may not always know in advance the working conditions but you can ask questions that can lead you to making a better decision