Career Exploration

1
Career Exploration

• Mature Workforce Center
• Serving
• Boomers_at_JJC

2
Consider Options

• Seek full-time job.
• Seek part-time job.
• Seek project employment.
• Start a business.
• Enroll in short-term skill training.
• (6 months or less)
• Enroll in career track program.
• (6 months -3 years)

3
Starting the Exploration Process

• Consider Assessment Results
• Interests
• Abilities?
• Work Values?
• CAREER CLUSTERS?

4
Career Clusters

• Agriculture/Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Arts, A/V Technology and Communication
• Business and Administration
• Health Science
• Hospitality and Tourism

• Service Skilled
• Information Technology
• Law and Public Safety
• Manufacturing
• Retail and Wholesale Sales and Service
• Scientific Research/Engineering
• Transportation

5
Recommended Websites

• www.ILWorkInfo.com
• www.doleta.gov/programs/onet

6
Mature Worker Websites

• http//www.doleta.gov/Seniors/html_docs/
• tes.cfm
• http//www.vital-aging-network.org
• http//www.experienceworks.org
• http//www.aarp.org/money/
• http//www.score.org
• http//www.state.il.us/aging/

7
Take a Look at Occupation Criteria

• Tasks
• Knowledge
• Skills
• Abilities
• Work Activities
• Work Context

• Work Style
• Work Values
• Related Occupations
• Wages
• Employment Trends
• Interests

8
Employers Look forBasic Workplace Competencies
Mature Workers Have Them!

• Resource Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Information Processing
• Systems Understanding
• Technology Skills

• Basic Skills - reading, writing, math, speaking,
  listening
• Thinking Skills - ability to learn, reasoning,
  creativity, decision-making, problem-solving
• Personal Qualities -Individual responsibility,
  self-esteem, self-management, sociability,
  integrity

9
What Mature Workers Want

• Instead of full-time leisure, many workers and
  retirees in their 50s, 60s, and 70s seek more
  work options, such as reduced hours or days per
  week more time off over the year special
  project or contract work greater flexibility
  part-time work and the opportunity to start new
  careers, including unpaid community service.
• Older Worker Training What We Know and What We
  Dont. AARP, 2006, Jennifer H. Sauer.

10
Whats Important to All Workers

• Whats Important Rank
• Job security 1
• Compensation 2
• Benefit costs 3
• Job satisfaction 4
• Career advancement 5
• Recognition 6
• Dependent care 7
• Work environment 8
• Job Training 9
• Vacation Time 10

11
Benefits of Work

• Work provides benefits beyond income, such as
  social status and access to social participation.
  It also plays an important role in shaping
  physical and emotional health and assists in
  defining personal and social roles.
• Boom or Bust, Carleen Mackay and Brad Taft, 2006.

12
Home Based Businesses

• Editorial professionals
• Elder services
• Errand services
• Financial advisors
• Fitness trainers
• Gift basket sales
• Home inspectors
• Computer consultants
• Security specialist
• Tutor

• Bed and breakfast innkeepers
• Bookkeepers and bill paying services
• Business plan writers
• Caterers and personal chefs
• Copywriters
• Desktop publishers
• Douala services (mothers helpers)

13
Mature Workforce Center

• MISSION
• To promote the continued vitality of the mature
  workforce through the delivery of a comprehensive
  system of quality employment, education, and
  training services that support local and regional
  economic development initiatives.

14
Mature Workforce Center

• Located at
• JOLIET JUNIOR COLLEGE
• City Center Campus
• 214 N. Ottawa Street
• Joliet, IL 60432
• Suite 500
• 815-280-1500
• www.jjcced.org/wd