Viking Voice
Set a Course for Success on Your Vocational Voyage
Fall 2017 Edition
Counselor Chat
As we begin our journey together, I would like to first focus on some important things to remember as you make your college & career choices. Therefore, consider the following:
Decide what things in life are most important to you.
Do your research on yourself, your potential occupation and the pathway to that occupation.
Try it out by participating in clubs and activities, volunteering in agencies or organizations or participating in internships. Also, talk to people in the field of work or position you are interested in.
Make a list of pros & cons.
Avoid worrying about making the perfect decision. Instead, focus on making an informed decision by realistically looking at your personal skills, interests and abilities, considering your work values, and investigating potential careers based on these areas. Then, explore all of your options to allow you to make a well-researched and practical decision.
Recognize the following research results:
Choosing a career path is not easy but you can try something and if it doesn’t work out, you can pick something else. 75% of students change their degree subject at least ONCE.
Deciding isn’t about what you will be doing for the rest of your life as the average person changes jobs approximately 11 times in their career.
Take some time to reflect on this information as you begin to make career and college decisions. If you want to further explore the above considerations, check out the Bureau of Labor and Statistics website at https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/career-planning-for-high-schoolers.htm.
Sign-Up for Trip to College Alerts
The Trip to College Alerts help keep college and career planning on track, one text at a time. The alerts are for parents and students. Students should text the word "grad" plus their high school graduation year to 69979 to receive the Trip to College Alerts, which are free, grade-specific text reminders about test and application deadlines and other great tips for college and career readiness. For parents, text the work "grad" plus your child's high school graduation year to 69979 to receive the Trip to College Alerts.
PSAT 8
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2017, 08:00 AM
Benjamin Franklin & Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools
Vocational Skill of the Quarter
- Organize and manage work assigned,
- Set and achieve goals,
- Understand and manage your emotions,
- Establish and maintain positive relationships and
- Make responsible decisions.
Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWctLEdIgi4
Students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGKSb_dSZ1I
Now that you have a better understanding of GRIT, ask yourself these questions:
- In what ways can I build GRIT?
- Am I willing to risk failure?
- What is my passion & what are my goals for my future?
- What do I tell myself about my abilities?
- Do I have a growth mindset?
- If not, how can I change the way I think?
Career Cluster of the Quarter
STEM Career Cluster
Is a STEM Career right for me?
- Do you like to solve interesting, unique and challenging problems?
- Do you like to work on projects that make a difference?
- Do you like to be creative and complete group projects?
- Do you want to change the world?
- Do you want to earn a good salary and enjoy job flexibility?
STEM careers involve doing scientific research in the field or labs, planning or designing products and systems or supporting scientists, mathematicians or engineers in completing their work. Examples of activities involved in STEM-based jobs include overseeing construction of roads or bridges, developing systems to prevent diseases, developing or improving products we use daily or helping engineers do research or read blueprints. To pursue careers in this cluster, you will need to complete coursework in the areas of engineering , math, science and technology. This career cluster includes many of the Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs of the future. (You can check out careers in this list by clicking on the link in the resource list at the bottom of this page.) To identify careers in this cluster, visit the following link and scroll down to the STEM section:
https://www.careerwise.mnscu.edu/careers/clusters.html
As a middle school student, you can explore activities related to this career cluster by engaging in the following types of extracurricular activities:
- Participate in Math or Science Clubs.
- Prepare a project for a science fair.
- Learn computer applications or technology related to the field, like CAD.
- Job shadow an engineer or scientist.
- Teach youth at a science summer camp or after-school program.
Next Issue: I will share information on the Architecture & Construction career cluster.
Career Connection Corner
Post-Secondary Options: Which path to a career should I choose?
Graduate School
4 yr. College/University
2 Yr. College/Technical School
Internship/Apprenticeship
Certificate Program
Finding the right career path depends on each persons' career choice, which is established by determining the individual's unique skills, interests, abilities and values. Students can visit IndianaCareerExplorer.com (See the link in the resource section below.) to take quizzes designed to help them determine their skills, interests and values, which will match them with careers and career clusters. Once the career cluster is identified, students can research potential careers listed by career cluster at
https://www.careerwise.mnscu.edu/careers/clusters.html or
http://www.careerprofiles.info/education.html, which will help them determine which career pathway is required for their chosen career.
Next Issue: I will spotlight the certificate program pathway to careers.
Career & College Websites & Resources
Connect with Melissa Valtierra
Email: mvaltierra@valpo.k12.in.us
Phone: 219-531-3140 6223