Chapter 12
introduces and
summarizes the
16 career clusters. It
also shows examples
of the many Family
and Consumer
Sciences career
choices available.
Chapter 12
Unit 5
The World of Work
386
Sometimes when applying for a job, you may need to submit a letter
of application. A
letter of application
is a document you send with your
résumé to give more information about your skills. See
13-3.
Many employers also want you to give references when applying
for jobs. A
reference is a name of a person who can be contacted about
you and your work habits. Always ask people if they will give you
A letter of application introduces your résumé and highlights specifi
c skills.
13-3
1603 Main Street
Parker, Iowa 50992
April 10, 20XX
Ms. Britta Nelson
Program Director
Twin Pines Camp
Rural Route 1
Big Bear Lake, Iowa 51119
Dear Ms. Nelson:
I am interested in working as a counselor-in-training at Twin Pines this
summer. My guidance counselor at Parkview High School, Mr. Brandon,
suggested I write you and explain my qualifi cations. I am currently a
junior and have already taken two child development classes, with
another planned next year.
I went to Twin Pines’ camp for three years and really loved it. So I am
very familiar with the camp and its policies and procedures. In addition to
babysitting for the past fi ve years, I also volunteer four hours a week at
the Ronald McDonald House, a charity through McDonald’s Corporation
that keeps families together while their child is receiving critical medical
treatment far from home. My duties involve planning a variety of activities
for the families, such as crafts, games, and snacks. I enjoy being with
children and helping them learn. My long-term career goal is to open my
own child care center when I graduate from college.
I have enclosed my résumé and would appreciate the opportunity
to meet for an interview. Please contact me at (555) 555-7474
jenwright@provider.com. I look forward to further discussion about
counselors-in-training program. Thank you for your time and
consideration.Pines’Twinator
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Wright
Jennifer L. Wright
Chapter 13 describes
the skills you need to
get your first job and
how to be successful
in the workplace.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 Preparing for Work 385
Applying for Jobs
You can apply for a job in person, by telephone, by mail, or online.
Carefully follow the directions given by the jobs that interest you. The employer
may ask you to submit a résumé, letter of application, and references.
A
résumé
is a written description of a person’s education, qualifi cations,
and work experience. See 13-2. Your résumé will help employers learn more
about you. Some employers may want you to submit an electronic résumé.
This is a text-only fi le with any special formatting removed.
The information on your résumé helps employers decide if you will be a
good fi t for their company.
13-2
Jennifer L. Wright
1603 Main Street
Parker, Iowa 50992
(555) 555-7474
jenwright@provider.com
Objective
Education
Experience
Computer
skills
Honors and
Activities
Seeking a summer camp assistant counselor position.
Parkview High School, Parker, Iowa, 20XX to present.
Focus on human services, with an emphasis in child
development. Graduating in June, 20XX.
Activities Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House (RMDH),
20XX to present.
Responsible for preparing snacks and planning and
running activities for the families staying at RMDH while
their children are hospitalized far from home.
Babysitter, 20XX to present.
Providing quality child care for three families with
children ages ten months to nine years.
Profi cient in keyboarding and Microsoft Word, Excel,
and PowerPoint.
Parkview High School honor roll, 20XX.
Member, Family, Career and Community Leaders of
America (FCCLA), Parkview High School chapter,
20XX to present.
Member, Parkview High School creative writing club,
20XX to present.
Captain, Parkview High School JV volleyball team, 20XX.
Unit 5
The World of Work
362
you have an aptitude for music, you may quickly develop the ability to
play an instrument. If you have a low aptitude, however, you may need to
practice much more to learn the skill.
Learning about your interests, aptitudes, and abilities can point
you to careers you will enjoy. Your guidance counselor can give you an
interest inventory or an aptitude test. These tests are often available to
take online, too.
Reading
Review
1.
Why should learning about yourself be the fi
rst step in deciding on a
career?
2.
What is one of your aptitudes? What job might let you use this aptitude?
The Career Clusters
The
career clusters
are 16 groups of career specialties,
12-6. Each
cluster includes jobs that require similar knowledge and skills, or
essential
knowledge and
skills. When you explore each cluster, you will fi
nd more
Learning about these 16 career clusters is a good way to begin exploring careers.
12-6
Sixteen Career clusters
The Career Clusters icons are being used with permission of the
States’ Career Clusters Initiative
www.careerclusters.org
Chapter 12
Learning About Work
377
Family and consumer sciences offers a wide range of job opportunities.
12-17
Family and Consumer Sciences
Major Categories Postsecondary Training
and / or Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
Food Science, Nutrition,
and Wellness
Banquet manager
Caterer
Chef or chief cook
Cook’s helper
Executive chef
Personal trainer
Restaurant owner
Short-order cook
Athletic trainer
Dietitian
Food service manager
Food technologist
Product developer
Quality control supervisor
Sanitation supervisor
Housing and Interior
Design Designer’s aide
Drapery/slipcover maker
Home furnishings salesperson
Home lighting assistant
Upholstery assistant
Facilities planner
Home furnishings buyer
Home lighting designer
Home planning specialist
Interior designer
Kitchen and bath designer
Textiles and Apparel
Alterationist
Clothing consultant
Display artist
Dry cleaner
Fashion or textile designer
Store manager
Tailor/reweaver
Apparel historian
Apparel marketing specialist
Merchandise manager
Textile market analyst
Textile scientist
Child and Human
Development Child care teacher
Designer of children’s clothing,
toys, or furniture
Parent’s helper
Scout leader
Teacher’s aide
Child care center or preschool
administrator
Early childhood educator
Parent educator
Recreation director
Family Relations
Home companions
Counseling paraprofessional
Homemaker services director
Hot line counselor
Older adult living facilities aide
Crisis center counselor
Family health counselor
Family/marriage therapist
Youth services specialist
Personal and Family
Finance Bank teller
Collection agent
Consumer product specialist
Consumer service representative
Credit bureau clerk
Loan offi cer assistant
Consumer affairs director
Credit counselor
Financial planner
Loan offi cer
Money investment advisor
Retail credit manager
Education and
Communications 4-H leader
Journalism intern
Teacher’s aide
Cooperative extension agent
Family and consumer sciences
teacher or college professor
Introduction
XI