| Graduating from high school can be a shock. After | | | | called up a friend of his mom's who works as a |
| years of being told what to do by teachers, it's | | | | programmer for a big technology company. He |
| up to you to figure out what path you want to | | | | went into the office and talked to some of her |
| take now. With so many career options available, | | | | co-workers, and decided that the computer |
| how do you know which path to follow? With the | | | | systems analysts did the most interesting work. |
| right roadmap, you--and your career--can head in | | | | "Andy Smith, computer systems analyst." He liked |
| the right direction. | | | | the sound of it. |
| Andy Jones finished high school last May. He liked | | | | Step 3: Choose a Degree Program |
| his computer and math classes and pulled | | | | Many careers require post-secondary education. If |
| middle-of-the-road grades in most subjects. After | | | | you plan your education and career goals carefully, |
| graduation, he decided to take a few months off | | | | a detour back to college generally pays off in the |
| to clear his head and figure out what he wants to | | | | long run. The U.S. Census Bureau shows that, as |
| do next. Andy knows that he's interested in | | | | people's education levels go up their annual |
| computers and technology, but he doesn't know | | | | incomes go up as well. Workers 18+ in 2004 had |
| where to start. His parents want him to get an | | | | the following median earnings: |
| associate's or a bachelor's degree, but he wants | | | | - High school degree/GED: $20,733 |
| to make sure it's worth it before putting more | | | | - Associate's degree: $30,026 |
| time and money into school. | | | | - Bachelor's degree: $38,880 |
| Building a Roadmap of Your Path to Success | | | | - Master's degree: $50,693 |
| If you're a recent college graduate like Andy, this | | | | Getting a degree doesn't guarantee you a |
| three-step program can help you figure out what | | | | particular salary--but it's likely to give both your |
| you want to do and how to get there. Think of it | | | | career and your earnings a boost. It's important |
| as your own personal roadmap to success. | | | | to research the kinds of degrees required for any |
| Step 1: Identify Your Interests | | | | job that you find interesting or challenging (the |
| How can you know what career will eventually | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics generally offers this |
| make you happy? A good way to start is to | | | | information). |
| think about the kinds of things you like to do right | | | | Advanced Degrees 101 |
| now. What activities do you enjoy? What are you | | | | Certificate programs, which are intensive and |
| good at? Don't limit yourself to things you think | | | | skill-oriented, take anywhere from eight weeks to |
| someone would hire you for--just be honest | | | | a year, and usually provide a "fast track" into the |
| about what you really like to do. If you have | | | | workplace. Associate's degree programs provide a |
| trouble brainstorming on your own, talk about it | | | | broad base in general education and a |
| with a friend or parent. | | | | concentration in one specific area, and generally |
| Andy's Top 3: | | | | take two years to complete. Once you get an |
| - Playing video games with his friends | | | | associate's degree, you typically need at least |
| - Figuring out problems with other people's | | | | another two years to earn a four-year bachelor's |
| computers and messing around until he fixes | | | | degree. Bachelor's degree programs typically |
| them | | | | include general education, elective courses, and |
| - Surfing the Internet and reading reviews of new | | | | one concentrated area of study. |
| products | | | | Andy's Degree Program Pick |
| Step 2: Choose a Career Goal | | | | After researching the requirements to be a |
| There may be jobs that interest you in fields that | | | | computer systems analyst, Andy decided to |
| you've never even heard of. Go online and | | | | pursue an associate's degree in computer science. |
| research occupations that might fit your skills and | | | | He plans to get a part-time job with a technology |
| interests. You can also seek out and talk to | | | | firm to get some hands-on-experience while he's |
| people who do jobs you find interesting. Talk to | | | | in school. He may decide to continue and get a |
| them about what they do every day, what skills | | | | bachelor's degree once he's sure he likes the |
| they needed to get the job, and what the work | | | | subject and the program. |
| environment is like. | | | | If you're out of high school and lost, a little |
| Andy's Career Pick: | | | | planning can take you a long way. Follow these |
| Andy looked up career profiles online and decided | | | | three steps and you could be whizzing down the |
| he might like to be a computer programmer. He | | | | road to success. |