Choosing a Career

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Choosing a Career

• Presented by Cal-SOAP

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Getting Started
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Online Search Engines
There are many career search engines that you can
easily find on the web. However, one of the best
ways to research a possible career, is to visit
your career center on your high school campus.
Here are some websites

• collegeboard.com Has information not only on
  possible college majors and careers, but you can
  also take a test to see which ones fit best with
  your interests and personality.
• princetonreview.com Offers a career quiz that
  matches you with suggested career paths, as well
  as a list of majors related to specific careers.
• cacareerzone.org Provides extensive information
  about the tasks involved, education required ,
  and salary information for over 3,000
  occupations.

BEWARE OF CAREER SITES THAT CHARGE A FEE TO
TAKE THEIR PERSONALITY AND CAREER TESTS! ALWAYS
CONSIDER FREE SERVICES FIRST.
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How to get the career you want

• Choosing a College

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Community Colleges
Community Colleges offer programs for people who
are looking to transfer to a four-year
university, but also for those who want to
receive a certificate in a specific field, like
criminal law or auto maintenance.
Years to Complete 2 years, on average
Degrees Offered AA and certificate programs
Cost to Attend 590 a year, on average
Career Path Many transfer to a 4-yr University
to receive a BA/BS degree, but you can also
start your career in a related field of study
College Examples City, Cuyamaca, Grossmont,
Southwestern Websites www.city.sdccd.net,
www.cuyamaca.edu, www.swc.cc.ca.us
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• Trade or Technical Schools

Trade schools prepare you for a specific career
in various fields. For example, they offer both
certificate and licensure programs for
individuals who wish to develop a career as an
electrician, auto mechanic, hair stylist, or lab
technician. However, before applying to an
expensive trade school, research similar programs
that are offered at Community Colleges for a much
lower cost.
Years to Complete Varies, but many programs take
lt 2 years Degrees Offered Certification and
licensure for specific skills and jobs Cost to
Attend Varies, can range from 500 - 20,000 a
year Career Path Obtain a job in the specific
field studied School Examples Paul Mitchell,
New School of Architecture
Design, The Art Institute of California
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• Four-Year University

Four-year universities offer undergraduate
courses that prepare individuals not only for the
workforce, but also for graduate work. The first
2 years usually focus on General Education
courses from many subjects. These GE courses can
easily be taken at a Community College for a much
lower cost. The next 2-3 years usually focus on
completion of the courses for a Major or Minor.
Years to complete 4-5 years Degrees offered
Varies, but in general, BA/BS, Masters,
Doctorate Cost to Attend Public
3,000-8,000 Private 15,000-55,000 Career
Path Obtain a career after graduation, or
continue with an advanced degree (Masters or
Doctoral) University Examples Public UCs,
CSUs Private USC, PLNU, USD, National
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How to get the career you want

• Degrees

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Certificate or Vocational License
A Certificate or Vocational License can be earned
from a Trade School, Community College, or a
University. Both a certificate and license can be
used to start a career in a specified field, and
even as a resume builder for job candidates to
stand apart from others applying to the same job.
Where to get degree Community College, Trade
School, or certain Universities Amount of time
to get degree lt 2 years What to do with degree
Obtain a job within the specific field
studied Career Examples Dental or Medical
Assistant, Hair Stylist, Auto Mechanic,
Electrician
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• Associates Degree

An Associates Degree (AA) is commonly earned at
Community Colleges, and some Trade or Vocational
Schools. Usually completed after 2 years of work.
With an AA degree, you can start your career,
earn a certificate in a specified field, or
transfer to a four-year university.
Where to get degree Community Colleges, some
Trade Schools Amount of time to get degree 2
years What to do with degree Continue to a
BA/BS degree obtain a certificate begin your
career in your specified field Career Examples
Business Manager, Accountant, Contractor
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Bachelors of Art and Science Degree
The Bachelors of Art (BA) and Bachelors of
Science (BS) degrees are undergraduate degrees
that are awarded when a certain number of classes
are completed for a specific major. Whether you
earn a BA or a BS is determined by the major that
you choose at your college. A BS is a more
specialized version of the BA, with more focus on
the subject being studied than a broad liberal
arts background.
Where to get degree University (public and
private) Amount of time to get degree 3-5 years
What to do with degree Continue to a
Masters/Doctoral degree, or start your career
Career Examples Can obtain a job in any field
from Education to Business to the Physical and
Life Sciences
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• Advanced Degrees

Both the Masters and Doctoral Degrees require
additional education after earning a BA or BS. To
earn either of these degrees, you may attend
graduate school through an online program, or
through private and public universities.
Masters Degree Where to get degree
University Amount of time to get degree 2
years What to do with degree Continue to a Ph.D.
or obtain a job Career Examples School
Counselor, Therapist, Financial Analyst
Doctoral Degree Where to get
degree University Amount of time to get
degree Average 5-7 years What to do
with degree Begin career using Doctoral Degree
Career Examples Scientist, Doctor,
Psychologist, Professor
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Career Paths Examples
Goal Medical Assistant
HS Diploma/GED ?
AA ?
Certificate ?
Goal Teacher
BA/BS ?
Credential ?
Medical School/Doctorate ?
Goal Surgeon
BA/BS ?
HS Diploma/GED ?
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Careers within the Military

• The Military offers full-time and part-time
  training and opportunities for more than 4,100
  different Military jobs. However, these jobs are
  specific to the Military, meaning that many
  cannot be transferred to the general workforce.
• 2 Choices
• 1. HS Diploma/GED ? enlist in Military ? become
  a Private ? Serve time ? Obtain a job within the
  Military sector
• 2. HS Diploma/GED ? ROTC program in College
  ?BA/BS ? become an Officer ? Serve time ? Obtain
  a job in Military sector or in General work
  sector
• Attend College BEFORE joining the Military
• WHY? After graduating from COLLEGE you enter
  the military as an OFFICER but straight from
  HIGH SCHOOL you have to go into the Military as
  a PRIVATE, the lowest rank, which Less money
• ? So..It helps to have a college education
  FIRST You are able to make MORE money!

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Contact Information

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