Selecting a Career

Objectives

1. Explain the reasons why people work.

2. Differentiate between work, occupation,

job, and career.

3. List the factors to consider in selecting a

career.

4. List the steps in choosing a career.

Why Do People Work?

• Earning Money

• Social Satisfaction

• Positive feelings

• Prestige

• Happiness

• Peers and family

What is the difference between work, an occupation, a job, and a

career?

Work

• An activity that is directed towards a purpose or a goal that produces something of value to oneself and/or to society.

• A wage may or may not be paid, depending upon the type of work, such as a volunteer.

Occupation

• The name given to a group of similar tasks that a person performs for pay.

• Most require specific knowledge and skills to perform them

• Examples– Legal work, truck driving, etc.

Job

• A paid position at a specific place or setting.

• It could be in an office, a store, a factory, a farm, etc.

Career

• A series of jobs that is pursued in order to achieve the ultimate occupation that the individual wants.

What are the factors one should consider in selecting a career?

• Standard of living• Personal contact• Formal education

required• Location of

employment• Practical experience

required

• Will you enjoy your work?

• Working conditions• Amount of leisure

time available• Security during

retirement• Your health and

happiness

What are the steps in choosing a career?

• Step 1: Consider your interests, abilities, and other characteristics

• Step 2: Narrow the field of jobs

• Step 3: Study the requirements of the job

• Step 4: Plan for alternative occupations

• Step 5: Prepare a plan for career preparation

• Step 6: Be willing to pay the price for success

• Step 7: Gain working experience

What’s a Good Job?

A guide to selecting, preparing for,

evaluating, and landing one.

What are my choices after high school?

• Work force

• Military

• Technical College

• University– Public– Private– Specialized

• Other

What are some factors that determine the quality of a job?

• Pay• Health Insurance• Dental Insurance• Vision Insurance• Paid Vacation• 401 K• Sick Days• Emergency Days

• Personal Days• Location• Hours• Type of work• Work environment• Advancement Chances• Paid Training• Enjoyable Work

How are workers usually paid?

• Hourly wage (possibility of overtime)

• Annual Salary

• Commission

• Piece work

• Other (combinations)

Hourly Wage

• Advantages

–Possibility of OT (1 1/2)

• Disadvantages

–Inconsistent income

Annual Salary

• Advantages

–Consistent Income

–Same pay regardless of hours worked

• Disadvantages

–No possibility of OT

–Same pay regardless of hours worked

Commission/Piece Work

• Advantages

–High income potential

–Rewards for good performance

• Disadvantages

–Inconsistent income

–Poor performance/Low pay.

How much pay is enough?

• $5.15/hour = $___________ year• $8.00/hour = $___________ year• $10.00/hour = $___________ year• $12.00/hour = $___________ year• $15.00/hour = $___________ year• $20.00/hour = $___________ year• $25.00/hour = $___________ year

In order to be happy, I need to make $________ per year.

Hourly Wage/Annual Salary

Wage X 40 hours/week = weekly wage

Weekly wage x 50 weeks = yearly wage

How much pay is enough?• Water• Car Insurance• Rent/Mortgage

Insurance• Toys• Clothing• Furniture• Spending Money• Gas• Medical/Medicine

• Rent/Mortgage• Car Payment• Groceries• Phone• Taxes (15-35%)• FICA• Retirement• Heat• Electricity• Household supplies

Now how much is enough?–Total Monthly Costs

–Required Monthly Income

–Wage/Salary Required

What about other benefits?

–Medical Benefits

–Dental Benefits

–401 K

–Sick, Personal, Emergency Days

–OthersIn a good job, you benefits account for 33% of your overall compensation?

Let’s compare!–Average earnings w/ high school

diploma = $_________________

–Average earnings w/ an associates degree = $__________

–Average earnings w/ a bachelor’s degree = $__________________

How much does an education cost?

–Associates Degree

–Bachelor’s Degree

How much does not pursuing an education cost?

–Lifetime Earnings

–Retirement Earnings

–Social Security Earnings

–Interest Earnings