The CareerForward course uses personal reflection and activities to provide each student with an independent exploration of the possibilities of their future and the creation of an Educational Development Plan (EDP).
Click here to read the End User License Agreement and to access the course. Learning for Life http://www.learningforlife.org/
Exploring is a worksite-based program. It is part of Learning for Life's career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years old.
Exploring's purpose is to provide experiences that help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Explorers are ready to investigate the meaning of interdependence in their personal relationships and communities. Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Local community organizations initiate a specific Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of young people in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop. Exploring programs are based on five areas of emphasis: career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience. Explorer posts can specialize in a variety of career skills, including the following: Many students today work hard with the hopes of one day having a “cool job” they will enjoy. Having role models and examples of people who excel in exciting fields can help them envision a career path. History™ and Hyundai have teamed up to develop a new interactive site entitled Cool Careers, highlighting cutting-edge occupations in science and technology. This site features interviews with people such as Barrington Irving, the first African American man and youngest person to fly around the world, and Dr. Laura Danly, a Curator at the Griffith Observatory. Educators and students are encouraged to visit this site and learn more about the innovative people, processes and machines that make our world tick. Cool Careers Website
Career Planning Tips
Career planning has three steps that you will cycle through and repeat throughout your working life. By following these steps, you can make career decisions that are right for you. You'll know what your options are and what it will take to reach your goals.
First, take a realistic look at your strengths, weaknesses, and interests.Consider:
Second, explore your options. It's hard to know what you want to do "when you grow up" if you aren't even aware of the possibilities. Here are a just a few ways to find career information:
Finally, consider issues that can affect your plans.Take appropriate actions to accomplish your goals. Consider:
 Work and Learn through an Apprenticeship If you like to work with your hands and your mind, you might want to consider an apprenticeship after high school. More than 850 occupations can be learned on the job through an apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship prepares you for a career through a structured program of on-the-job learning with classroom instruction, while you work and earn a salary. The programs can last from one to six years and you can choose careers in areas such as telecommunications, health care, computing, business support and the arts. The most common apprenticeships are in construction and manufacturing.
Most apprenticeships are registered through the U.S. Department of Labor, ensuring the program meets government standards for fairness, safety and training. If you complete a registered program, you will receive a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor which proves your qualifications for the career. Also, classroom instruction often can be used to earn a license, certification or degree.
Following are the top 10 occupations offering apprenticeships that expect to have the most job openings for new workers (2000-2010):
For more information on apprenticeships, call America's Workforce Network toll-free at (877) US2-JOBS. (872-5672) Operators can help you find career counselors and apprenticeship programs in your area.
Alabama Apprenticeships Development Link
Alabama State Office of Apprenticeships:
Regional Office of Apprenticeships For Alabama:
Resources Cool Careers Without College Book Series - College isn't for everyone, and students should know that there are many interesting careers available that do not require a college degree. Every book in this series features approximately twelve different, enticing jobs within a particular field of interest.
The Uncollege Alternative - Want to think out of the box? Want to change your perspective on your future? Feeling ambivalent about going to college and going into debt? Then join the world of alternative thinking, risk-taking, adventure seeking, and change. Join the Uncollege revolution and learn that you can create a profitable, exciting, creative, and amazingly successful future without a college degree. The Uncollege Alternative
Mycoolcareer.com - Terrific comprehensive career site that provides advice on choosing careers and majors, interviews with people in some of the most interesting careers around, links to great career and planning resources, and more!
Mapping-your-future.org - Good college and career information.
CareerKey.org - Free career interest/ability assessment!
www.studentdoctor.net/guide - Tips for students who are interested in medical careers
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