When most schools attempt to inject "Career-Prep" in the curriculum, their approach is to "teach information." Instead of focusing on careers, they usually dilute the message with more "college is the only way" propaganda.
My high school eliminated the career educator and forced the counselors to take on the task. Most counseling is geared toward college entrance requirements, however. (At least some students still take the Armed Forces' ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test for career interest and aptitude.) Your child doesn't need to enter the military to take the online versions. Have them try the short and long versions!
They also stopped using a career assessment website and considered instead the College Board's "career" guidance. Of course, all the careers there "require" a college major! In fact, some majors don't lead to a career at all, but only to a degree. Remember, only about 35% of U.S. jobs require a four-year (or higher) degree.
My high school eliminated the career educator and forced the counselors to take on the task. Most counseling is geared toward college entrance requirements, however. (At least some students still take the Armed Forces' ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test for career interest and aptitude.) Your child doesn't need to enter the military to take the online versions. Have them try the short and long versions!
They also stopped using a career assessment website and considered instead the College Board's "career" guidance. Of course, all the careers there "require" a college major! In fact, some majors don't lead to a career at all, but only to a degree. Remember, only about 35% of U.S. jobs require a four-year (or higher) degree.
What is REAL Career-Prep?
- Dealing with the boss
- Serving customers
- Experiencing the stress of work
- Knowing the satisfaction of helping people
Few classes will teach what is important to a boss. They don't teach how or why bosses make their decisions.
There are relatively few high schools that are truly preparing students in a meaningful way for the "work world" and adult interactions. In my own case, I have supervised thousands of high school student's career explorations. I have consulted and facilitated hundreds of business plans and business concept pitches. Students can learn about jobs they'd like -- or why they shouldn't pursue a job they'd hate. (If your local high school is doing a good job, you are fortunate. It is quite rare, indeed.)
There are relatively few high schools that are truly preparing students in a meaningful way for the "work world" and adult interactions. In my own case, I have supervised thousands of high school student's career explorations. I have consulted and facilitated hundreds of business plans and business concept pitches. Students can learn about jobs they'd like -- or why they shouldn't pursue a job they'd hate. (If your local high school is doing a good job, you are fortunate. It is quite rare, indeed.)
Realistic Careers
Career prep is not just providing information (which students can "tune out"). It's not just entry-level work skills, as useful as those might be. In choosing a career, a student must make absolutely sure they choose a career where they can excel and get promoted over the long haul. That means the student has to really "dig" to get a sense of the skills and demands of a job. They need to study the "typical work day," the work settings; and compare that to their skills, aptitudes, and values. They need to find a career that isn't being automated away (and that's getting harder to predict)!
What Career-Prep is NOT
The career must also match the student's skills, talents, and capabilities. Some teachers are in the "dream career" camp, emphasizing fantasizing and imagination. They tell students to "shoot for the moon" -- but forget to help the student build the foundation of "necessary and sufficient" requirements underneath. Some teachers avoid "hurting the student's feelings" when the career is clearly not practical or realistic.)
Career Fantasy Fail
What are the results of the typical career assignment? The student has no idea of the costs or requirements (I required a cost-benefit analysis). They can't describe the range of tasks they'd perform and decisions they'd make. They have no idea of the work day or setting. How could students know if they'd like the job, or succeed in it?
I've had students tell me their career goal is Neurologist, but don't know that's after getting their M.D. They have Ds in science, and are flunking English. Now it's theoretically possible for a student with poor reading and writing skills to become a medical doctor, etc. But it is highly unlikely, and would take a Herculean change in mental capacity and effort to pull off such a feat. (I hope they prove me wrong!) Regardless, they have no logical or reasonable path to the career. That's not career planning, it's fantasy.
Call to Action
The career must also match the student's skills, talents, and capabilities. Some teachers are in the "dream career" camp, emphasizing fantasizing and imagination. They tell students to "shoot for the moon" -- but forget to help the student build the foundation of "necessary and sufficient" requirements underneath. Some teachers avoid "hurting the student's feelings" when the career is clearly not practical or realistic.)
Career Fantasy Fail
What are the results of the typical career assignment? The student has no idea of the costs or requirements (I required a cost-benefit analysis). They can't describe the range of tasks they'd perform and decisions they'd make. They have no idea of the work day or setting. How could students know if they'd like the job, or succeed in it?
I've had students tell me their career goal is Neurologist, but don't know that's after getting their M.D. They have Ds in science, and are flunking English. Now it's theoretically possible for a student with poor reading and writing skills to become a medical doctor, etc. But it is highly unlikely, and would take a Herculean change in mental capacity and effort to pull off such a feat. (I hope they prove me wrong!) Regardless, they have no logical or reasonable path to the career. That's not career planning, it's fantasy.
Call to Action
First, your child should have realistic career ideas. Then determine if college is required.
College is an expensive way to find out they:
Didn't need the degree
Couldn't finish the degree (with lots of debt; or less retirement for you)
Can't find a job in their major (wasted degree?)
Hate the career resulting from the degree
Can't succeed because they lack skills or aptitudes not teachable by "classes."
Each of the above "stages" has probabilities, not guarantees! Many high school graduates fail in one of those five critical areas.
Do you want to gamble years of paying their college tuition for a poor career bet?
Outsmart College and the Contribution Project will provide the answers! Stay tuned for the next post.
__________
College is an expensive way to find out they:
Didn't need the degree
Couldn't finish the degree (with lots of debt; or less retirement for you)
Can't find a job in their major (wasted degree?)
Hate the career resulting from the degree
Can't succeed because they lack skills or aptitudes not teachable by "classes."
Each of the above "stages" has probabilities, not guarantees! Many high school graduates fail in one of those five critical areas.
Do you want to gamble years of paying their college tuition for a poor career bet?
Outsmart College and the Contribution Project will provide the answers! Stay tuned for the next post.
__________
If you are interested in REAL career prep for your child, contact me NOW!
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