Your career:
How to get there from here

Some people know what they want to do at an early age. Others need time to think about the choices. You want to start exploring and thinking about a career as soon as possible and certainly by the time you get to high school.

"We all have short-term and long-term goals," says Betty Hornick, specialist for guidance and counseling services for Chesterfield County schools. "How we get there can be altered. You can always change directions." Most important, she adds, "You want to choose what you want to be and not just let things happen to you."

So, how do you come up with a plan? Hornick’s advice: know yourself and your interests. Do you like being around people, or would you rather work by yourself on a computer? Do you like sitting at a desk all day, or would you prefer a job where you work outside in all kinds of weather? Consider what excites you when you think about careers.

What Do You Want To Do?
One of the best ways to pinpoint interests is to take an interest inventory. Your high school guidance office may stock these inventories. One of the best is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Along with the inventory, the battery provides "Exploring Careers: The ASVAB Workbook" to help students learn more about themselves and various career options. You don’t have to join the military to use the ASVAB.

Finding a College
If you’re going to college, you want to find a school that’s a good match for you. Don’t be as concerned about the school’s reputation as you are about your needs. Do you need small classes? Does the culture meet your requirements? Do the costs fit your family budget? There are many questions to ask yourself before you can find your best choice.

And then you have to think of a major. Many new students initially don’t declare a major, and it’s not unusual for college students to change majors more than once over four years. For help in thinking about a major, the following Web sites are helpful:
• Go College
• College Net
• Hobsons College View

The Community College Option
Can’t afford a four-year college? Don’t want to travel far from home? Then a community college may be your best bet. Community colleges offer a wide variety of courses. There are 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses serving every region of the Commonwealth. In the 2003-2004 academic year, more than 228,000 students took at least one credit course at a Virginia community college. Examples of two-year associate degree studies include business management, engineering, environmental science, wastewater management, medical technology, registered nurse and respiratory therapist. To learn more about Virginia’s community colleges, visit the system’s Web site.

Earn an Industry Certification or Licensure
Maybe you want to go directly into a job after high school graduation. Another alternative would be studying to obtain certification or licensure in a specific field. Gov. Mark R. Warner is emphasizing industry certification programs in high school as a way to increase the earning power and job readiness of students. He also has created a "career readiness certificate." It certifies that a worker has sufficient skills in applied mathematics, reading for information, and locating information; the certification can be earned through a community college or at a Virginia Workforce Network Career Center.

"With some certifications you can go directly to work," says Gordon Creasy, industry certification and licensure specialist for the Virginia Department of Education. "The automotive field is a great example. The ASE certification is one of the most well-known certifications in the industry."

There are more than 4,000 different types of licensure and certifications. Many require additional training and experience. Industries that offer certificate or licensed positions include information technology, electronics, heating and air conditioning, culinary arts and nursing.

"Industry certifications are here to stay," says Creasy. "Most are fairly new within the last five to eight years. But, an industry certification doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a job. You have to gain experience and [may need] additional training." For more information, call the Virginia Department of Education in Richmond at (804) 225-2057.

Get Technical Training Now
Your high school may offer technical training in several fields, such as computer technology, health professions, automotive, automated technology, manufacturing, construction trades, culinary arts, child development, landscaping, health services, heating and air conditioning and electricity. Some high school technical programs also involve apprenticeships.

Formal training can help in your job search. "A certificate, along with your school classes, looks good on a résumé." says Mike Rose, principal of the Chesterfield Technical Center in Chesterfield County.

Internships: A Job Tryout
Getting real job experience looks good on a college résumé and can help students decide on a career or land a job right out of high school. Ask your guidance counselor about school internship programs. Some are paid and some are not, but the value of an internship comes in seeing what a job is really like. Internships may be offered by local employers or at your high school, so check there first. For more information, visit these Web sites:
• Rising Star Internships
• The Washington Center for Internships
• Internship Programs

Military Might Be Right
The war with Iraq keeps the military in the news, and government defense spending continues to rise for weaponry and security programs in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorism attacks on the United States. If you want to serve, travel the world, get an education, and a paycheck, then you should investigate the U.S. armed forces. They offer on-the-job training in many careers with technology playing a greater role in many jobs. The military has hundreds of career options to choose from. After the service, you can continue your education and the military will help pay for it. To enlist, you must be 17 years old and have a high school diploma.
• Air Force 1-800-423-8723
• Army 1-800-USA-ARMY
• Coast Guard 1-800-GET-USCG
• Marines 1-800-MAR-INES
• Navy 1-800-872-NAVY

Volunteering
At some point in your life, you’ve probably served as a volunteer. Maybe you helped collect food for a needy family or went on a church mission trip to repair homes damaged by a hurricane. Whatever you did, you learned the value of giving your time and your heart to others. But did you know that volunteering could also help you gain new skills that will prove helpful in your career? Through volunteering, you can learn about leadership, public relations, and business. You will build self-confidence and learn about teamwork while honing your organizational skills. If possible, look for volunteer activities related to your career interests. For more information on volunteering, here are some Web sites:
• Virginia Corps
• Peace Corps
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Kids Care

Attend A Private Career School
Let’s say you’re a computer whiz and don’t want to wait four years to start a career. Where can you go to sharpen your skills? Answer: A private career school. You’ll get hands-on experience in a small classroom setting. Private career schools offer a variety of courses, including cosmetology, culinary arts and court reporting. The old saying, "Look before you leap," holds true for private career schools, which generally offer post-secondary, but non-degree programs. Before enrolling, make sure the school is accredited. You can check by contacting the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Proprietary Schools Unit, Office of Educational Accountability at (804) 225-2600. For a complete list of proprietary schools, go to www.schev.edu, click on educational directory and on proprietary schools listed under private post-secondary career schools.

Take Classes on the Web
Going to school without leaving the comfort of home isn’t a fantasy, thanks to the Internet. With a computer and access to the World Wide Web, students can take advantage of the Electronic Campus of Virginia, a technology initiative among more than 20 of the state’s public and private colleges and universities. Just log on and cruise around.

You will find an array of courses in everything from basic computing to advanced psychology. The beauty of distance learning is that it allows students to tap into resources that may not be within easy driving distance. Plus, you can take classes at times that are convenient for you. First, though, you must apply to the schools offering the courses and pay tuition just like any other student. Costs range from less than $100 to more than $1,000 per course. The Electronic Campus gives students who may not live close to an educational institution one-stop access to courses that will help them with work-force preparation, undergraduate and graduate degrees and continuing education.

While you may be able to do course work from your easy chair, passing grades are required for credit.