PLAnning YOur CArEEr
The fiRsT sTeP toward success is making smart
decisions about your education and career options.
Plan for
Success
W
hen I was in high school,” says Sheryl Assess Your Talents and Abilities
Kovach, a senior human resources First, you need to figure out some things about
generalist with IKON Office Solutions in yourself. This step can be as simple as writing down
Houston, “the only job that I even knew about was a list of your interests (like video games or rock
receptionist work. I didn’t aspire to be a manager climbing), your hopes and dreams (like helping
or entrepreneur because I really didn’t know about others), your talents (like writing or math ability),
those disciplines. I was just looking forward to and your weaknesses (if you’re squeamish at the
graduating. That was it. I really didn’t know what it sight of blood, for example, you might not want to
was I wanted to do.” be a doctor).
Sound familiar? You, too, may not have a clue Follow up on this informal exercise by taking
about what to do with your life. some formal assessments to determine your interests
Don’t worry, though. Help is right here in your and abilities. Common assessments include the
hands. This issue of AchieveTexas in Action is Kuder (www.kuder.com), Bridges (www.bridges.
your guide to education and career choices that com), Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com),
can shape your future. It’s one of 16 career cluster COIN (www.coinedu.com), and Myers-Briggs
guides published by AchieveTexas, Texas’s college (www.myersbriggs.com) tests. Terry Brock, director
and career initiative (www.AchieveTexas.org). of the Texas Counselors’ Network, a group that
This edition is all about Agriculture, Food & helps counselors statewide advise their students on
Natural Resources. career planning, says, “These tools give most of our
Let’s start with some basic steps you students some career exploration awareness by the
should take to get organized, plan time they enter eighth or ninth grade.”
for the future, and start on the Ask your principal or counselor about the career
road to success. assessments available at your school.
THe Top fIve
agrIculTural commodITIes In Texas are
caTTle and calves, coTTon, broIler
cHIckens, greenHouse/nurserY
producTs, and daIrY producTs.
Page 2
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24