Career Cruising Module
It is never too early to start thinking about your future and what you plan to do once you graduate from high school. Now is the time to start doing a little bit of research and investigation into different employment opportunities that interest you. Through this process, you may come to realize that a job you had once thought of pursuing may not be for you.
The Career Cruising website is a great resource for you to begin your journey into looking at the different career choices you do have. It also allows you to check out what courses you are required to take in high school as well as can help you research different schools that offer different programs of study.
A great tool this website offers each student is the opportunity to save and revisit all the information you research. Through your on-line portfolio, you can refer to and refine your career opportunities at any time.
Simply go to
and let the fun begin!
Welcome to your Career Cruising module! Please record all your work in this booklet and remember to save it through your on-line portfolio once it’s created. At the end of this module, you will have great new understanding of some career choices and new things to add to your portfolio. Happy cruising!
Step 1:
· The following is username and password needed to logon to the career cruising website:
User name: ____STSTEPHENHS_______________________________________
Password: ____SPARTANS_______________________________________
Step 2:
· Once you have logged in to the Career Cruising Website, the first task you will need to complete is to create your own portfolio.
· Find under “Portfolio Login” the link to “Create a new portfolio”.
· Click on “Create a new portfolio”.
· Once on the new page, add your name, grade and email address if you have one.
· You will need to create a user name and password. Choose something simple that you will easily remember. Write it down here so you have it for future reference.
· When you have entered all the necessary information, click on the grey icon “Create Portfolio”.
Step 3:
· Go to the toolbar at the top of the page and click on “Assessments”.
· Take a few minutes and complete all of the survey questions there are 161 in total.
· Once you have completed all of the questions in the assessment, make sure you save your new information to your portfolio.
Step 4:
· From the list of occupations that have been created for you, please select three careers that you are interested in pursuing after high school.
· Once you have selected your three careers, it is now time to write a summary of those three occupations. In the summary you will include the job description, working conditions, potential earnings, and education required as listed on the career cruising website. The career summaries should be written in Microsoft Word and saved in your "I" drive.
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Step 5: Once your job summaries are complete, investigate the cost of the most relevant career. In this stage you will need to look online at the post secondary schools that offer training for your chosen career. You should include the cost of tuition, books, lodging and meals. Please include your findings in the write up you are doing in MS Word.
Step 6:
Résumés and Cover Letters
· On the left hand side toolbar, choose “Résumé Builder” .
· Complete and review the personal information and save it.
· Click on “Career Objective”. Using examples and words found on your reference page complete the career objectives section of your résumé. Keep it brief and to the point.
· Once you have added your objectives, click on the “Education” link on the toolbar.
· Add no more than 3 schools that you have attended. If you have recently changed schools, list the most recent schools. If you are still at a particular school, in the date section, you would add “To present”.
· After you have saved your 1st school, you can click on the “add education” button to add another school.
· Return to the toolbar on the left and click “Work Experience”. If you already added a job to your portfolio, you can select it by clicking the box to the left.
· If you need to add another click on “Add Work Experience” and complete the necessary information.
· Do that for your most recent job experiences.
· If you have the option to add a description, explain what your responsibilities at that job were and refer to the key words sheet to help you use the proper terminology.
· Return to the toolbar on the left and click “Volunteer Experience”. If you already added a volunteer position to your portfolio, you can select it by clicking the box to the left.
· If you need to add another click on “Add Experience” and complete the necessary information.
· Do that for your most recent volunteer experiences and refer to the key words sheet for the description of your responsibilities.
· Return to the toolbar on the left and click “Awards and Certificates”.
· For each accomplishment you would like to mention (Honour Roll, Piano exams, Manager Award), add and save. You should add a description so you know why you received the award. Keep it brief – one sentence.
· After it has been added and saved, make sure you select it by clicking the box to the left of your list.
· Follow the same procedures for Extra-Curricular activities. Add any new ones that you didn’t save before to your portfolio. This includes everything from choir to soccer.
· Click on “Hobbies and Interests” and “Abilities and Skills” and review the information you plugged in earlier. Make any changes that you may have.
· Under “References”, make sure to add 2 references that can provide a positive report on your behaviour and work ethic.
· It is important that you have accurate information about your reference so your potential employer can contact.
· It is important that you ASK someone to be your reference before your add them to your résumé.
· When your references have been added, make sure that they are selected in the box to the left of your list.
· Under “Additional Information” refer back to your key words sheet and add any personality traits you would like any potential employers to know about you.
Format:
· At the bottom of the left hand toolbar, there is the option of “Format and View”. Click here.
· Choose a résumé style.
· Select all the sections you would like to include in your résumé. For now, it is probably good to have all the options chosen.
· If you would like to change the order, you can click on “set order” however, you may want to look at the default set up before you make any changes.
· Make sure your references are selected.
· Click on “preview résumé” and see what you have created!
· It is a good idea to print a copy of your résumé for your files.
· You should also export it to a Microsoft Office document so you can tweak it to your personal liking.
· If you are going to work on the résumé in Office, remember to keep the format that you chose. You can change fonts and make it more appealing to the eye.
· Print a final copy of your résumé.
Career Cruising Module
Checklist
At the end of the Career Cruising Module, each student should have completed the following:
· Created a portfolio
· Completed the matchmaker quiz and saved it to your portfolio.
· Followed the 15 steps through the website.
· Completed the needed information on the worksheets.
· Researched 3 careers and completed to worksheet about these careers.
· Completed a résumé using the builder tool on the website.
· Saved your résumé to your portfolio and have a printed copy for your files.
· Written a cover letter and have it printed.
· Your instructor has signed off on all completed tasks.
________________ __________
Instructor Date
Key Words for Résumé and Cover Letter Construction
Action Verbs
accelerated |
activated |
Adapted |
administered |
analyzed |
Approved |
assisted |
completed |
conceived |
conduced |
controlled |
coordinated |
created |
delegated |
developed |
Directed |
eliminated |
established |
Evaluated |
expanded |
expedited |
experienced |
expanded |
facilitated |
generated |
implemented |
improved |
increased |
influenced |
initiated |
interpreted |
launched |
lead |
Lectured |
maintained |
Managed |
mastered |
motivated |
organized |
originated |
participated |
performed |
pinpointed |
Planned |
prepared |
programmed |
proposed |
proved |
recommended |
reduced |
reinforced |
revamped |
reviewed |
Revised |
scheduled |
set-up |
simplified |
solved |
streamlined |
structured |
supervised |
supported |
taught |
Trained |
worked |
Removed |
reorganized |
repeated |
responsible |
|
Self-descriptive Words
accurately |
Active |
adaptable |
adept |
aggressive |
Alert |
ambitious |
analytical |
assertive |
astute |
Attentive |
Aware |
broad-minded |
challenging |
competent |
conscientious |
consistent |
constructive |
contributor |
creative |
dependable |
determined |
diplomatic |
disciplined |
discreet |
Diverse |
dynamic |
easily |
economical |
efficient |
Energetic |
enterprising |
enthusiastic |
exceptional |
experienced |
Expertise |
extensively |
extraverted |
facilitator |
fair |
Forceful |
foresight |
high-level |
honest |
imaginative |
independent |
initiative |
innovative |
instrumental |
insightful |
Leading |
logical |
loyal |
mature |
methodical |
Objective |
optimistic |
participated |
perceptive |
personable |
pioneering |
pleasant |
positive |
practical |
productive |
Readily |
realistic |
reliable |
repeatedly |
resourceful |
responsible |
responsive |
self-reliant |
sensitive |
sincere |
sophisticated |
strongly |
systematic |
tactful |
talented |
Unique |
versatile |
vigorous |
will travel |
will relocated |
Examples of Career Objectives:
· A position in industrial sales.
· A marketing position where I can use my organizational skills and sales experience.
· A position in technical sales in a diversified organization leading to a management career based on proven success and leadership.
· An English teaching position at the secondary level where I may utilize my skills in speech and drama.
· To use computer science training in software development for designing and implementing operating systems.
· A public relations position with opportunities to develop and implement programs and events, and communicate positive ideas and images.
· Retail management position which will utilize my sales/customer service experience and creative abilities for product display and merchandising.
· A teaching position in an elementary school setting with primary emphasis on grades 3-6.
· A position as a social worker dealing with the needs and problems of the elderly. Strengths include ability to evaluate needs, establish close relationships and perform individual and group therapy.
· A position in operations accounting where I can use my strong technical training and interpersonal communication skills.
· A retail management position.
· A position in corporate communication using skills in writing and knowledge of printing, editing and layout. Am particularly interested in employee communications and training publications.
· Laboratory research position in an industrial setting where I can utilize skills in chemical research and technical writing.
· A professional staff position in human services, utilizing my counseling, administrative and human relations skills.
· An entry level management position with First Union Corporation.
Writing a Cover Letter
Cover letters are an essential part of a job application. It is your first impression to any potential employer and it needs t answer some quick questions about you and why you are applying for the job. Here are some helpful hints:
1. To the point. You need to state that you are applying for a specific job and that the application and supporting materials, like your résumé are enclosed.
2. It must be perfect. This letter must have no spelling errors, typos, different fonts or sizing. If it is not done to perfection, it is showing your potential employer that you aren’t taking this job seriously already and you don’t even have it yet! Everything goes in an envelope large enough that NOTHING is folded.
3. Use a computer. NEVER hand-write a cover letter. Using a computer also allows you to get it to be perfect with the right fonts and margins.
4. Avoid fancy fonts and colours. Use plain white paper and choose a business font like Times New Roman or Arial. It should be double-spaced and should not be any larger than 12 font (which is what these tips are written in.)
5. Keep it short. Your letter should not be any longer than one page and should be perfectly centred – choose the justified alignment button on your computer.
Take a look at the sample cover letter. Using this as a guideline, create a cover letter for your portfolio you can use when you are applying for a part-time job. For practice, you can say you are applying for a part-time position at Sobeys, Superstore, Subway or Dollarama.
Sample Cover Letter
123 Pine Street
Raleigh, NC
27603
May 2, 2008
Dr. Ralph Smithers
Headmaster
St. Swithin's School
2 Shady Drive
Fernville, SC 29305
Dear Dr. Smithers,
Please find enclosed my application and supporting materials for the position of English Teacher at St. Swithin's School.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
Marla Smith-Jones
Once you have completed this section you are to move on to part B of the module called Passport to Safety. Please see your instructor for directions.