How to choose, pay for and enjoy a career
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[November 22, 2013]
CHICAGO — Nearly 4,000
scholarship and financial aid opportunities highlight the Illinois
Department of Employment Security's effort to use education and job
training to build a better workforce.
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Educational attainment is the best predictor of employability. Job
training is the key to a skilled and adaptable workforce. IDES'
Career Information System is a pathway for both at
www.ides.illinois.gov/careerinfo. It offers step-by-step
instructions on how to evaluate a career, obtain the education and
training needed for that career, and establish a timeline to guide
the journey.
"The foundation of success begins with our children in school,
where we learn the value of work and the opportunities that work
creates. As we grow older, that success teaches us that we can
develop new skills and adapt to changes in technology and in the
workplace," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "Learning how to work and
how to change builds the highly skilled, adaptable workforce that
creates long-term economic growth."
The Career Information System is especially valuable to adults
considering a career change; parents introducing elementary students
to basic work concepts and expectations; high school students
considering college courses and vocational training; and educators
guiding students through college testing and career assessments.
Specific guidance also is offered for veterans, the disabled and the
formerly incarcerated.
One highlight for students is an exercise that begins with the
lifestyle they wish to lead and moves backward to identify the wages
that would be needed, the jobs that would provide these wages, and
the education and training needed to obtain these jobs.
Adults will benefit from assessments that identify occupations
that match an individual's interests, skills and preferences.
Suggestions on how to build a resume, on interview techniques and
tips to be successful in the workplace also are available.
The Career Information System delivers localized occupational and
career information in an intuitive, user-friendly online format. It
includes tools to learn about occupations, financial aid,
apprenticeships, postsecondary schools and colleges. Salary
information and job trends are available as well as information on
self-employment and how military employment translates into the
civilian arena.
Examples of career resources for youth:
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Student career
portfolios. Students can create online portfolios through "My
Portfolio." It stores assessment results, career and course
plans, and work examples. It also provides a way to create and
store resumes.
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"Reality Check."
This module helps students determine if occupations that
interest them pay enough to afford the lifestyle they desire. It
starts with the lifestyle and moves backward to identify the
wages that would be needed, the jobs that would provide these
wages, and the education needed to obtain these jobs. (PDF with
more information)
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"Kids and Careers:
How Families Can Help Youth Succeed." This career planning
brochure provides parents with important timelines for the
career planning process, starting in middle school. It
highlights the link between education and earnings.
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CIS Junior. This career exploration
website for middle school and junior high students features an
interest survey, an introduction to occupations and tips on
which classes will help students reach their career goals.
Examples of career resources for adults:
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CIS
Job Seeker includes the Jobseeker Success Mindset Training
modules to help users reduce stress, manage their emotions and
reinvigorate their job search.
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CIS Job Seeker has
videos on interviewing do's and don'ts as well as one-minute
video clips of 500 occupations.
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A comprehensive job hunting resource
called Career Gateway Job Seekers Guide contains tips on career
management, social services, budgeting, setting goals and job
hunting. The 90-page downloadable workbook also is available as
on online guide. (PDF with
more information)
CIS Job Seeker offers:
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Links to a variety
of national job search boards through the "Job Boards and
Resources" section.
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An employer
locator with contact information for local and national
businesses.
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A military employment section that
helps with the transition from armed services jobs into civilian
occupations.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Employment Security
file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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