Section 1.1 Importance of Work
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Another way to learn more about the world of work is through
job shadowing. Job shadowing is following a worker on the job and
observing what that job involves. If you know someone who has a job
that sounds interesting, ask if it is possible to spend some time with
him or her at work. The experience may last a few hours or a couple
days. Permission from the employer is always required.
Volunteering is another way to learn about work. Animal shelters,
recycling centers, and many other nonprofit operations rely on
volunteer help. By volunteering, you can observe different types of
work while contributing to activities that benefit your community.
Checkpoint 1.1
1. Why is work important?
2. Explain the difference between an associate
degree and a bachelor degree.
3. What do occupational trends tell us about jobs?
4. Why are career clusters important?
5. List two ways to explore career opportunities.
Build Your Vocabulary
As you progress through this text, develop a personal glossary of ca-
reer-related terms and add it to your portfolio. This will help build your vocab-
ulary and prepare you for your career of choice. Write a definition for each of
the following terms, and add it to your personal career glossary.
job
occupation
career
associate degree
bachelor degree
occupational trend
career clusters
career pathway
job shadowing
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