PLAnning YOur CArEEr
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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
generalist with IKON Office about yourself. This step can be as simple
Solutions in Houston, “the only job that I as writing down a list of your interests (like
thE first stEP
even knew about was receptionist work. I video games or rock climbing), your hopes
toward success is
didn’t aspire to be a manager or entrepreneur and dreams (like helping others), your talents
because I really didn’t know about those (like writing or math ability), and your
making smart decisions
disciplines. I was just looking forward to weaknesses (if you’re squeamish at the sight
about your education
graduating. That was it. I really didn’t know of blood, for example, you might not want to
what it was I wanted to do.” be a doctor).
and career options.
Sound familiar? You, too, may not have a Follow up on this informal exercise by
clue about what to do with your life. taking some formal assessments to determine
Don’t worry, though. Help is right here your interests and abilities. Common
in your hands. This issue of AchieveTexas assessments include the Kuder (www.kuder.
in Action is your guide to education and com), Bridges (www.bridges.com), Career
career choices that can shape your future. Cruising (www.careercruising.com), COIN
It’s one of 16 career cluster guides published (www.coinedu.com), and Myers-Briggs
by AchieveTexas, Texas’s college and career (www.myersbriggs.org) tests. Terry Brock,
initiative (www.AchieveTexas.org). This director of the Texas Counselors’ Network, a
edition is all about manufacturing. group that helps counselors statewide advise
Let’s start with some basic steps you should their students on career planning, says,
take to get organized, plan for the future, and “These tools give most of our students some
start on the road to success. career exploration awareness by the time they
enter eighth or ninth grade.”
Ask your principal or
more THan 892,000
counselor about the career
assessments available at
Texans work In THe manufacTurIng IndusTrY,
your school.
wHIcH offers THe HIgHesT compensaTIon
(more THan $63,000 a Year per worker
naTIonallY) In THe prIvaTe secTor.
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