3
Introduction
As a young adult, an important key to your success will be preparing
for the transition from high school to your fi rst career. To help you make
this transition, School to Career will guide you through important twenty-
fi rst century life and career skills that you will need as you graduate
from high school.
By studying this text, you will learn personal skills, decision-making
skills, and employability skills that will help create a foundation as
you prepare to be on your own. Skills for success such as teamwork
and problem solving, communicating on the job, and leadership are
also covered. You will have an opportunity to research and learn about
careers using the States’ Career Clusters to help you defi ne your future
goals. As part of the learning process, you will assess your skills and
abilities to help make decisions about a career that is a good fi t for you.
Included in your exploration will be learning about college and other
postsecondary programs that might help you reach your goals.
School to Career is the fi rst step for preparing for the challenges you
will face after graduation. By studying this text, you will be able to make
the most of your study time and learn how to prepare for your future.
About the Authors
Joseph J. Littrell, the original author of this text, taught industrial
and vocational education to teachers in training at Arizona State
University. Littrell began his career teaching industrial education in
Nebraska and Oregon public schools. Later he taught engineering at the
University of Missouri. He earned degrees from Peru State College in
Nebraska, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Missouri.
James H. Lorenz is professor emeritus and chair of the department
of engineering technology and industrial studies at Middle Tennessee
State University. He has taught graduate and undergraduate teacher
certifi cation courses and undergraduate drafting courses for over 25
years. Lorenz conducts numerous in-service training programs for
teachers and has directed SkillsUSA activities at district and state levels.
He began his career teaching drafting and graphic arts at the secondary
level. Lorenz holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the
University of Minnesota, and the University of Georgia.
Harry T. Smith is professor of curriculum and instruction at
Tennessee Technological University where he has served as program
supervisor of industrial education since 1986. Smith’s primary
responsibility is teaching instructional media technology and
occupational education licensure courses to undergraduate and graduate
students in the college of education. Earlier, Smith taught industrial
education at the secondary level in Missouri and the postsecondary level
in Missouri and Michigan. Smith holds degrees from Northeast Missouri
State, Central Missouri State, and Michigan State Universities.