XII
Discovering Careers
Math Skills Handbook
407
Getting Started
Math skills are needed in everyday life. You
will need to be able to estimate your purchases
at a grocery store, calculate sales tax, or divide
a recipe in half. This section is designed to
help develop your math proficiency for better
understanding of the concepts presented in the
textbook. Using the information presented in the
Math Skills Handbook will help you understand
basic math concepts and their application to the
real world.
Using a Calculator
There are many different types of calculators.
Some are simple and only perform basic math
operations. Become familiar with the keys and
operating instructions of your calculator so
calculations can be made quickly and correctly.
Shown below is a scientific calculator that
comes standard with the Windows 8 operating
system. To display this version, select the
View
pull-down menu and click
Scientific
in the menu.
There are many
problems. Some common include
making a list or table; working backward;
checking, and revising; and simpler
numbers to solve the
problem.substitutingguessing,strategieswordsolvingforstrategies
Parentheses
Click to change the
type of calculator
shown
Exponent
Display
Positive or
negative
Division (÷)
Multiplication (×)
Subtraction (–)
Equals (=)
Addition (+)
Decimal
Number entry
Strategy How to Apply
List or table Identify information in the
problem and organize it into a
table to identify patterns.
Work
backward
When an end result is provided,
work backward from that to fi
nd the requested information.
Guess,
check,
revise
Start with a reasonable guess at
the answer, check to see if it is
correct, and revise the guess as
needed until the solution is found.
Substitute
simpler
information
Use different numbers to
simplify the problem and solve
it, then solve the problem using
the provided numbers.
Number Sense
Number sense is an ability to use and
understand numbers to make judgments and solve
problems. Someone with good number sense also
understands when his or her are
reasonable in the context of a
problem.computations
Example
Suppose you want to add three basketball
scores: 35, 21, and 18.
•
First, add 30 + 20 + 10 = 60.
•
Then, add
•
Finally, combine
fi nd the answer: + =
74. Handbooktosumstwo14.14=8+these601+5
Example
Suppose your brother is 72 inches tall and
you want to convert this measurement from
inches to feet. Suppose you use a calculator
to divide 72 by 12 (number of inches in a
foot) and the answer is displayed as 864.
You recognize immediately that your brother
cannot be 864 feet tall and realize you
must have miscalculated. In this case, you
incorrectly entered a multiplication operation
instead of a division operation. The correct
answer is 6.
Solving Word Problems
Word problems are exercises in which the
problem is set up in text, rather than presented
in mathematical notation. Many word problems
tell a story. You must identify the elements of the
math problem and solve it.
Example
Suppo
se you want to add three basketball
scores: 35 21 and 18
390
Career Clusters
Careers in this cluster involve working with plants,
animals, and food processing. Power, structural, and technical
systems as well as natural resources, the environment, and
agribusiness are also included in this cluster.
Farmers grow crops, and ranchers tend livestock. Food
scientists and technologists discover new food sources,
analyze food content, and develop ways to process, preserve, package, and store food. Foresters
plan and supervise the growing and using of trees. Conservationists and environmentalists
work on problems regarding the responsible use of air, land, and water. They
also preserve
marine life and wildlife. Animal scientists study genetics, nutrition, and reproduction.
Entry-level jobs are available in this career cluster. Many technical jobs require two or
more years of advanced training. Engineers, scientists, and top managers need to complete at
least four years of college.
An expanding population, globalization, and an increasing public focus on diet will result
in more job opportunities in this career cluster. Many specialists work for the Environmental
Protection Agency, the National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal
government is one of the biggest employers in this career area. Other possible employers include
landscape nurseries, golf courses, mining and logging operations, and oil exploration companies.
Pathways and Career Options
Food Products
and Processing
Systems
Agricultural Communications Specialist
■ Business-Educator
■ Food Scientist
■ Meat Processor
■ Toxicologist
■ Biochemist
■
Nutritionist
■ Dietician
■
Food Broker
■
Food Inspector
■ Meat Cutter-Grader
■ Food Meal Supervisor
■ Cheese Maker
■ Microbiologist
■ Produce Buyer
■ Bacteriologist
■ Food & Drug Inspector
■ Bioengineer
■ Biochemist
■
Food & Fiber Engineer
Plant Systems
Bioinformatics Specialist
■ Plant Breeder & Geneticist
■
Biotechnology Lab Technician
■
Soil & Water
Specialist
■ Crop Farm Manager
■ Agricultural Educator
■ Plant Pathologist
■ Aquaculturalist
■
Sales Representative
■
Greenhouse Manager
■
Grower
■ Farmer
■ Rancher
■
Botanist
■
Tree
■
Education & Extension Specialist
■ Agricultural Journalist
Animal Systems
Agricultural Educator
■ Livestock Producer
■ Aquaculturalist
■ Animal Caretaker
■
Poultry Manager
■
Equine Manager
■ Veterinarian
■
Veterinary Assistant
■ Feedlot Specialist
■ Animal Scientist
■ Embryo Technologist
■ Pet Shop Operator
■ USDA Inspector
■ Livestock Buyer
■
Feed
Representative
■ Vivarian Technician
■ Wildlife Biologist
■ Livestock Geneticist
■ Animal Nutritionist
Power, Structural,
and Technical
Systems
Machine Operator
■
Electronics Systems Technician
■
Agricultural Engineer
■
Heavy Equipment
Maintenance Technician
■ Recycling Technician
■ Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator
■ Parts Manager
■ Welder
■ Machinist
■
Communication Technician
■ Agricultural Applications Developer
■ Programmer
■ Database Administrator
■ Information Lab Specialist
■
Engineering Specialist
Natural Resource
Systems
Cartographer
■
Wildlife Manager
■ Range Technician
■ Ecologist
■ Park Manager
■ Environmental
Interpreter
■ Fish & Game Officer
■ Fishing Vessel Operator
■ Logger
■ Forest Technician
■ Log Grader
■
Pulp & Paper Manager
■
Soil Geology Technician
■ Geologist
■
Mining Engineer
Environmental
Service
Systems
Pollution Prevention & Control Manager
■
Pollution Prevention & Control Technician
■ Environmental
Sampling & Analysis Scientist
■ Health & Safety Sanitarian
■
Environmental Compliance Assurance Manager
■
Hazardous Materials Handler
■ Hazardous Technician
■ Manager
■
Water Environment Manager
■ Water Quality Manager
Agribusiness
Systems
Field Representative for Bank, Insurance Company, or Government Program
■
Farm Investment Manager
■ Agricultural Commodity Broker
■ Agricultural Economist
■ Farmer
■
Rancher
■ Feedlot Operator
■ Farm Manager
■ Livestock Rancher
■
Breeder
■ Dairy Herd Supervisor
■ Agricultural Products Buyer
■ Animal Health Products Distributor
The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the States’ Career Clusters Initiative, 2008
XII
Wate
r
Patho
ologist
■ Aquaculturalist
ouse
Manager
■
Growe
r
■ Farme r
■ R Ranch
er
■
Botan
ist
Tree SSurgeonn
Surgeo
■
Educa
tio on &
Extension
S pecial
ist
■ Agric ultura
l Jourrnalist
Career
Ladder
78
Unit 1 Career ExplorationSales
Conservation ScientistSoftware
What Does a
Conservation Scientist
Do?Materials
Conservation scientists manage, develop, use, and help protect natural resources.
Conservationists fall into three general groups: foresters, soil conservationists, and ranger
managers - manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without
damaging the environment. Foresters manage woodland resources. Soil conservationists
provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, state and local governments and others
concerned with the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources. Ranger
Managers manage, improve, and protect rangelands to maximize their use without
damaging the environment.
What Is It Like To Work as a
Conservation Scientist?
Most conservation scientists are employed by government agencies. They often
work outdoors in all kinds of weather. The work can be physically demanding. Working
conditions vary greatly. Some work is solitary, foresters and conservation scientists
also deal regularly with landowners, loggers, forestry technicians and aides, farmers,
ranchers, government officials. Others do both field work and office work. Still others work
as independent consultants and work the majority of the time outdoors overseeing or
participating in hands-on work.
What Education and Skills Are Needed
to Be a
Conservation Scientist?
A minimum of a bachelor degree is required for a
conservationist. Mandatory licensing and registration
is required in some states. Many may be required to
perform physically demanding tasks in all kinds of
weather.
Helpful High School Activities
and Prep Courses for Becoming a
Conservation Scientist
• participation in 4-H and National FFA activities
• science
• mathematics
•
computer science
Position
Conservationist
Manager/director
Chapter 6 Succeeding at Work
121
Stay Focused
The hardest part teamwork is keeping everyone focused on
the tasks that must completed. It is easy to get sidetracked and
lose focus, tasks take a long time. Periodically, the
members an effective team remind each other of the importance of
their
goals.ofespeciallybeifofthe
Checkpoint 6.2
1. What are some behaviors that are important for an effective team?
2. Describe the brainstorming process.
3. What is the role of a team leader
As an employee of a company, you may hear
confidential information about employees or the company
business. It is unethical to share any confidential
information you learn, and doing may cost you your job.
Repeating information is sometimes known as gossiping,
and some people find it harmless. Television shows often have scenes
showing “water cooler” talk. They make being part of the “grapevine”
sound like a fun office activity. However, depending on the confidentiality
of the topic, sharing information may be considered as slander. Always
protect any confidential information you learn and respect the
in which you learned it. This will not only promote ethical behavior in the
organization, it may build your reputation as a trusted person.
Ethics
cused
dest part of teamwork is keeping everyone focused
on
t must be completed
. It is easy to get sidetracked and
pecially if the tasks take a long
time. Pe
riodically, the
n effective team remind each
other of the importance of
point
6 . .2
2 2 2 2
ome behaviors that are important for an effective
team?gain
e brainstorming process.
role of a team l
eader
p of the grapevine”
office activity.
However,
depen
ding on the confidential c, sh
aring in formatio
n may be
conside
red as s
lander. Always
y confidential
information
you
learn and respect the
ssituationity
ituation
ou learned it. This wi
ll not only promote
ethi
cal behavior in the
n, it
may build your reputation as a trusted person.
Chapter 5 Education and Training
93
An
intern is a student who works in a temporary position
with an emphasis on job training. Student internships may provide
opportunities for students to experience in an area of their
interest. They may also help students determine if they have an
interest in a particular career, assist them in creating a network of
contacts, or gain school credit.
Teachers, doctors, nurses, dentists, dietitians, broadcasters, and
others must successfully complete an internship before they can
work in their career fi
elds. A classroom, hospital, and television
newsroom are just some of the work sites for interns.
Various types of internships are available in different industries
or settings, depending upon the purpose of the internship. These
types include the following:
• Work experience internship.
The placement in this type of internship can be for varying periods of time during the school
year. During this period, the student uses the knowledge and
skills learned in school and put them in practice. This way, the
student gains work experience in his or her fi
eld of study.
•
Research internship.
In this type of internship, a student does
research for or about a particular company. The student may
choose a department on which to focus his or her study. The
results of the research study are compiled into a report and often
are presented.
• Diversity internship program.
This type of program provides internships for students from diverse backgrounds. These
programs are most often sponsored by community and special
groups organized to offer minorities training opportunities.
Company Training Programs
Some large companies offer their own training programs. These
programs are designed to prepare employees to perform specialized
jobs. The programs may train employees to operate certain types of
equipment or teach them specifi
c skills.
Water is one of our most important natural
resources and the supply is limited. Water conservation
also conserves energy and reduces your electric bill.
Some very simple steps can help conserve water. For
example, turning the water off while you are brushing
your teeth saves up to 2.5 gallons per minute. A three-minute shower
instead of a bath can save as much as 15 gallons of water.
Go Green
Features Features
Spotlighted Spotlighted
Practical information helps you prepare
for your future. Special features add realism
and interest to enhance learning.
• Ethics offers insight on ethical issues
with which you will be confronted as you
prepare for your future.
• Go Green presents helpful information
about how to use natural resources
wisely.
• Career Ladder features are included in
each chapter that focus on a career from
1 of the 16 career clusters, giving you the
opportunity to explore careers in depth.
• A Math Skills Handbook is provided to
help you increase your understanding of
the essential math skills employers want.
• Career Clusters Handbook describes each
of the career clusters and pathways so
that you can see at a glance the many
career options available to you.