The Career ToolKit for High School Students Making the Transition from School to Work

by Carter, Carol J.; Izumo, Gary; Kravits, Sarah Lyman; Reeves, Diane Lindsey

• ISBN13: 9780130884176
• ISBN10: 0130884170
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-08-02
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

This thorough introduction to the skills needed to succeed in the work place is presented in an easy-to-read user-friendly format. The book, adapted from a popular college text, provides a complete framework for career exploration and is designed to motivate readers to make theses skills a part of their lives.The book introduces readers to the workplace, provides time and money management tips, basic skills practice and assessments and offers guidelines for making oneself marketable.For individuals interested in assessing and sharpening their basic skills for the work force.

Author Biography

CAROL CARTER is Vice President and Director of Student Programs and Faculty Development at Prentice Hall. She has written Majoring in the Rest of Your Life: Career Secrets for College Students and Majoring in High School. She has also co-authored The Career Tool Kit, Keys to Career Success, Keys to Study Skills, Keys to Thinking and Learning, and Keys to Effective Learning. She has taught welfare to work classes, team taught in the La Familia Scholars Program at Community College of Denver, and has conducted numerous workshops for students and faculty around the country. She is the host of the "Keys to Lifelong Learning Telecourse," a twenty-six episode telecourse to help students at a distance prepare for college, career, and life success. In addition to working with students of all ages, Carol thrives on foreign travel and culture; she has been fortunate enough to have been a guest in forty foreign countries.

GARY IZUMO is a professor in business at Moorpark College and assists large businesses as a management consultant on issues ranging from corporate growth and organizational development, to operational effectiveness. In addition, he writes a monthly business column for the Los Angeles Times, Ventura County edition. Gary is an enthusiastic swimmer and reader, but most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He believes in contributing to the community and he is an active volunteer to local schools on curriculum and technology matters. Gary is a graduate of Occidental College with a degree in economics and received his MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles.

SARAH LYMAN KRAVITS is a student of life with a passion for learning. In her drive to help others discover their love for learning—and their essential selves—she has spent the last six years writing, researching, talking to students, and talking to teachers in pursuit of the best possible textbooks on student success. She has co-authored The Career Tool Kit, Keys to Success, Keys to Effective Learning, Keys to Thinking and Learning, and Keys to Study Skills. She originally hooked into the world of student success as Program Director for LifeSkills, Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to further the career and personal development of high school students. Even earlier, being a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Virginia helped to bring her love of learning to new levels. She encourages readers to make the most of this time in school—it is an incredible gift.

DIANE LINDSEY REEVES is an author whose work focuses on helping people of all ages figure out what they want to be when they grow up. She enjoys sharing ideas about career exploration as a writer-in-residence in schools and in other types of programs for teachers and students. Reeves lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where weekend jaunts are divided between the beach or the mountains. She is married and has two daughters. Reeves would love to hear from you via her website at www.careerideasforkids.com.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
About the Authors	ix
Part I Taking Inventory	1	(84)
Choosing Your Equipment
Finding the Right Mind-Set	2	(24)
Why You're Here	4	(2)
Universal Work Skills	6	(2)
Positive Self-Image	8	(3)
Attitude	11	(1)
Motivation	12	(1)
Commitment	13	(3)
Habits	16	(1)
Patience	17	(1)
Integrity	17	(2)
You've Got the Basics	19	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	20	(6)
Today's World
The Diversity of Your Workplace	26	(16)
A Mosaic of Cultures	28	(1)
Ages, Stages, Abilities, and Values	29	(2)
Working in a Diverse World	31	(3)
Tolerance and Acceptance	34	(1)
Be Part of the Solution in Your Corner of the World	35	(2)
The Diverse World and Your Future	37	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	38	(4)
Keys to the Tool Kit
Unlocking Your Personal Power	42	(20)
Understanding Yourself	44	(7)
Identifying Meaningful Goals	51	(4)
Setting Priorities	55	(2)
Your Tool Kit at Work	57	(5)
Making the Most of Key Resources
Managing Your Time and Money	62	(23)
Managing Your Time	64	(4)
Managing Your Money	68	(1)
Balancing Your Budget	69	(2)
Spending and Saving Wisely	71	(1)
Using Credit Cards	72	(5)
Drawing Your Financial Future	77	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	78	(7)
Part II Getting Started	85	(62)
Sharpening Your Tools
Your Basic Skills	86	(32)
Listening	88	(3)
Concentration	91	(3)
Memory	94	(2)
Taking Notes	96	(3)
Reading	99	(3)
Writing	102	(3)
Proofreading	105	(2)
Test-Taking	107	(2)
Lifelong Learning	109	(1)
Hang On to Your Basics	109	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	110	(8)
Becoming Marketable
Getting the Job Done Through Communication	118	(29)
Communication Skills	120	(7)
Building Relationships	127	(4)
Teamwork	131	(1)
Handling Criticism	132	(2)
Conflict Resolution	134	(2)
Effective Speaking	136	(3)
Keep the Lines of Communication Open	139	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	140	(7)
Part III Moving On	147	(122)
Tools That Create Opportunity
Resources to Power Your Job Search	148	(36)
Help: Inside and Outside Your School	150	(10)
Choices and Challenges	160	(9)
Using Your Street Smarts	169	(3)
Tracking Down Career Leads	172	(2)
Into the Job World	174	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	175	(9)
Putting Your Tools to Good Use
Entering the Working World	184	(40)
Resumes	187	(3)
Applications	190	(2)
Your Prior Employment Record	192	(6)
References	198	(1)
Interviews	199	(11)
Handling Failure and Success	210	(2)
The Job Will Happen	212	(1)
Your Tool Kit at Work	213	(11)
Packing Up Your Tool Kit
Standing Out on the Job	224	(45)
It's a Fresh Start	226	(1)
Making the Transition to the Workplace	227	(3)
Giving Your Best---For Yourself and Your Employer	230	(3)
Strategies for Success	233	(8)
Your Rights as an Employee	241	(2)
Leaving Your Job	243	(3)
Going for the Promotion	246	(1)
Changing Jobs	247	(1)
Staying Aware through Self-Evaluation	248	(3)
Contributing to the Health of Your World	251	(1)
Your Career Tool Kit---Don't Leave Home Without it	252	(2)
Your Tool Kit at Work	254	(15)
Index	269

Excerpts

Preface We Wrote with You in MindThere are many useful and well-written books about success in school and life. This one is special because it focuses on the skills needed for success in moving from school to work and is tailored for your particular experience and needs as a student in high school. We know that you have choices ahead about building a solid foundation for a successful career and a better life--that's what brought you to this educational experience. And we believe that the success of your career depends on certain basic skills we call "tools."This book is entitledThe Career Tool Kitbecause it contains information about the tools you need to build a long, happy, and successful working life, just as a metal tool box contains hand tools. These tools will also help you in successfully completing your educational program and transition into your career. In addition, just as a tool kit allows you to keep your tools together and carry them around, this book fits the information you need into one portable volume. This book, and the skills it describes, will fit easily into the demanding routine of your daily activities. This Book Has Three Major BenefitsFirst, it will help you while you are in school. Many of the skills that you will use in your working life also apply to your student life: reading, writing, studying, listening, and so forth. Tools such as a positive attitude and self image fuel your success both in and outside of school. The information on budgeting will help you organize your finances so that you can juggle your expenses. You want to come away from your educational experience with as many advantages as possible, including your diploma or certificate. Much of the advice in this book will help you stay in school and succeed at the tasks that you undertake there.Second, it will help you identify and prepare for the job that you want. It helps you know yourself better so that you understand what kinds of jobs might best suit your unique talents and qualities. It provides information on the job search--where you find job listings, who can help you locate opportunities, and how to apply. It guides you through the application process and shows you how to present yourself in the best possible light on a resume as well as in an interview. And it helps you to handle both failure and success.Third, it will continue to help you throughout your career. These pages contain important information about how to manage your time and money. There is valuable advice on workplace communication with bosses, coworkers, clients, and customers; a discussion of the qualities and skills that employers look for in their employees; information about your rights on the; job; and a section on critical thinking at work (decision making and problem; solving). Career success, as you seek to manage and balance the stresses of your working and personal lives, is affected by your physical and mental health. Through the chapters, hints on improving and maintaining your physical and mental health are provided. Advice about motivation, patience, listening, and other useful subjects will serve you well in the coming years.The book's special features will help you make the most of your reading. We have broken up the material into bits and pieces that you can really chew on. If you flip through the book before you begin reading, you will see certain elements in each chapter:NEW IN YOUR TOOL KIT.At the beginning of each chapter, this list summarizes the important topics that you will cover in the chapter.SOUND BITE.Quotes from people who have made choices similar to yours, current students as well as graduates already in the workplace, appear throughout the text. These people are "in the trenches" and can give you an accurate, personal picture of what to expect as you move into the world of work.REAL PEOPLE, REAL STOR