22
Critical
Thinking
Key
Terms Objectives
Web
Connect
Explore Your Career Options
The average worker spends 36 percent of his or her day working,
as shown in Figure 1-1. This means a choice of career is one of the
most important decisions a person will make as an adult. There are
many potential careers from which to choose, so it is important to
explore and research the career that is the best fit for you.
Career Clusters
The workplace is changing rapidly, and researching a career can
be somewhat overwhelming. Studying the career clusters is a good
starting point to see where your interests lie. The career clusters are 16
groups of occupational and career specialties, as shown in Figure 1-2.
Each cluster has specific career pathways that range from entry-level
jobs to more advanced positions. By exploring the career clusters, you
can gain information about various career choices.
Career exploration can be an exciting time in your life. Will you
choose a traditional career or a nontraditional career? Will you work
for a company or own your own business?
career clusters
aptitude
skill
attitude
values
goal
SMART goals
Write about where you see yourself in five, ten,
or even twenty years. What type of career will
you have? Will you own your own business?
Even if you become a doctor, lawyer, or
pharmacist, you can still own your own
business; many do.
There are many organizations that can
help you in your quest to become an
entrepreneur. The Kauffman Foundation
is one of these organizations. Before you
begin reading, do an Internet search for
the Kauffman Foundation. Read about this
organization and how it can help in your
journey to become an entrepreneur.
1.1
Your Career
After completing this section, you will be
able to:
Explain the importance of exploring career
opportunities before making a career
choice.
Create a career plan based on your
personal goals, values, aptitudes, and
skills.
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