Chapter 20 Preparing for Your Career 589 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Personal Skills A skill is the ability to complete a task competently. While it may start as a natural talent, most skills are developed through training, experience, and practice. Personal skills are the skills you consider to be your strengths. They may also include communication skills and how well you get along with other people. They also include dressing appropriately for the job and behaving in a businesslike manner (Figure 20-10). Your attitude toward your job, your employer, and your coworkers is another personal characteristic that is often grouped with personal skills. Employers look for workers who have a good attitude. Keeping a good attitude even when things go wrong is a good way to advance in your career. Student Career Opportunities As a student, you have opportunities to explore many different kinds of careers. Various student organizations help students investigate career opportunities. Joining one or more of these organizations can help you fi nd out more about careers you fi nd interesting. Technology Student Association If you have thought of a future as an engineer, scientist, or technologist, you should consider joining the Technology Student Association (TSA). Millions of students have participated in its activities. TSA provides projects and competitions suited to everyone, including activities related to every area of technology. Examples include agriculture and biotechnology, construction, digital photography, vehicle design, electronic gaming, video production, website design, and many others. The TSA website provides information about many topics of interest to technology students. State and local chapters allow you to become more fully involved with the organization. You can meet with other technology students, exchange ideas, and work on the TSA’s current National Service Project. Other Student Associations Depending on your interests, you might want to check other resources. For example, Junior Achievement is a worldwide organization for elementary, middle, and high school students. This organization concentrates on helping students manage the fi nancial aspects of a career, including entrepreneurship. Visit the organization’s website to fi nd more information about how this organization can help you. Your school or community might also offer associations that you can join to help you get started in a technology career. Check with your teacher to fi nd out more about these and other opportunities. Kzenon/Shutterstock.com Figure 20-10. Dressing neatly and appropriately at work shows respect for yourself and those around you.