Page 338 - Keys To Community College Success

statusCHECK

How Prepared Are You for Workplace and Life Success?
For each statement, fill in the number that best describes how often it applies to you.
1 = never 2 = seldom 3 = sometimes 4 = often 5 = always

1. I have thought about careers that may suit my interests and abilities. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I have looked into majors that match up with my career interests. 1 2 3 4 5
3. I have, or intend to get, hands-on experience through an internship, job, or volunteer work. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I understand the qualities that today’s employers value most. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I save and update information about how to contact people with whom I network. 1 2 3 4 5

6. I am familiar with online job search, social networking, and career planning sites. 1 2 3 4 5
7. I know how to write an effective cover letter. 1 2 3 4 5
8. I have a current résumé to send out to prospective employers. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I am prepared to give a good impression during interviews. 1 2 3 4 5
10. Knowing how quickly the modern workplace changes, I’m ready to be flexible if a job or 1 2 3 4 5
career choice doesn’t last.
Each of the topics in these statements is covered in this chapter. Note those statements for which you filled in a 3 or lower. Skim
the chapter to see where those topics appear, and pay special attention to them as you read, learn, and apply new strategies.

REMEMBER: NO MATTER HOW PREPARED YOU ARE TO SUCCEED IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN LIFE, YOU CAN IMPROVE WITH EFFORT AND
PRACTICE.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR
career success?

Every student is in a unique position when it comes to preparing for a productive
career. Some already have a work history, and others do not; some have known for a
while exactly what they want to do, others have no idea at all, and still others are in the
middle, with some thoughts but no focus yet. There are three things you should know
as you begin this chapter:

Your starting point is not better or worse than anyone else’s. Knowing exactly
what you want is not “better” than having no clue—it’s just different. Different start-
ing points require different risks. Someone driven to pursue engineering, for example,
may take risks that lead her toward specialization, while someone who has not yet
pinpointed an area of interest may focus on risks that help clarify personal passions
and abilities.
12 The modern workplace is defined by change. The working world shifts more
CHAPTER 300 rapidly than in any other time in history, responding to technological developments,

global competition, economic change, and other factors. Although this brings a risk of