{"id":121,"date":"2017-11-09T21:05:13","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T21:05:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hccfl.edu\/blueprint\/chapter\/34-career-paths\/"},"modified":"2024-03-31T20:02:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-31T20:02:04","slug":"34-career-paths","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hccfl.edu\/blueprint\/chapter\/34-career-paths\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 6: Career Paths","rendered":"Chapter 6: Career Paths"},"content":{"raw":"
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\"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven\u2019t found it yet, keep\r\nlooking. Don\u2019t settle.\"\r\n<\/em><\/p>\r\n

\u2013Steve Jobs<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Pursuing Your Professional Interests<\/h3>\r\nOne of the most widely known and successful American entrepreneurs of all time is Steve Jobs. He is best known as the cofounder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple, Inc. He also cofounded Pixar Animation Studios, and he was a member of the board of directors of the Walt Disney Company. Four hundred eighty-four inventions bear Jobs\u2019s name.\r\n\r\nFrom early on in his life, Jobs was interested in electronics. When he was thirteen, for instance, he worked at the Hewlett Packard factory, which developed hardware and software components. Jobs later reflected on how he landed this job when he called Mr. Hewlett to ask for parts for an electronics project: \u201c[Hewlett] didn\u2019t know me at all, but he ended up giving me some parts and he got me a job that summer working at Hewlett-Packard on the line, assembling frequency counters . . . well, assembling may be too strong. I was putting in screws. It didn\u2019t matter; I was in heaven.\u201d\r\n\r\nJobs\u2019s electronics and computing career quickly unfolded as he pursued his passion for creating and promoting computing products. At age nineteen, he was a technician for Atari, a leading electronics, gaming and home-computer corporation. By twenty-one, he and his two partners had formed Apple, Inc. At thirty-four, he was named \u201cEntrepreneur of the Decade\u201d by Inc.<\/em> magazine. And at fifty-two, he was inducted into the California Hall of Fame by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.\r\n\r\nAll in all, Jobs was relentless about pursuing his interests and passions. The products he and his associates developed have transformed modern culture, including the iMac, iTunes, Apple Stores, the iPod, the iTunes Store, the iPhone, the App Store, the iPad, the Mac OS, and the Mac OS X.\r\n\r\nThis story of Steve Jobs\u2019s professional pursuits illustrates a dream, a goal, and an ambition that many college students share: to be successful in earning money and finding personal satisfaction in employment. His story also illustrates how opportunities are all around us and how random events aren't always so random.\r\n\r\nIn this section, we explore strategies that can help you chart your professional path and also\u00a0attain ample reward. We begin by comparing and contrasting jobs and careers. We then look at how to match up your personal characteristics with a specific field or fields. We conclude by detailing a process for actually choosing your career. Throughout, you will find resources for learning more about this vast topic of planning for employment.\r\n

Job vs.\u00a0Career<\/h3>\r\nWhat is the difference between a job and a career? Do you plan to use college to help you seek one or the other?\r\n\r\nThere is no right or wrong answer, because motivations for being in college are so varied and different for each student, but you can take maximum advantage of your time in college if you develop a clear plan for what you want to accomplish. The table below shows some differences\u00a0between a job and a career.\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
COMPARISON CATEGORIES<\/strong><\/th>\r\nJOB<\/th>\r\nCAREER<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
Definitions<\/td>\r\nA job refers to the work a person performs for a living. It can also refer to a specific task done as part of the routine of one\u2019s occupation. A person can begin a job by becoming an employee, or by volunteering, for example, by starting a business or becoming a parent.<\/td>\r\nA career is an occupation (or series of jobs) that you undertake for a significant period of time in your life\u2014perhaps five or ten years, or more. A career typically provides you with opportunities to advance your skills and positions.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Requirements<\/td>\r\nA job you accept with an employer does not necessarily require special education or training. Sometimes you can get needed learning \u201con the job.\u201d<\/td>\r\nA career usually requires special learning\u2014perhaps certification or a specific degree.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Risk-Taking<\/td>\r\nA job may be considered a safe and stable means to get income, but jobs can also quickly change; security can come and go.<\/td>\r\nA career can also have risk. In today\u2019s world, employees need to continually learn new skills and to adapt to changes in order to stay employed. Starting your own business can have risks. Many people thrive on risk-taking, though, and may achieve higher gains. It all depends on your definition of success.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Duration<\/td>\r\nThe duration of a job may range from an hour (in the case of odd jobs, for example,) to a lifetime. Generally a \u201cjob\u201d is shorter-term.<\/td>\r\nA career is typically a long-term pursuit.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Income<\/td>\r\nJobs that are not career oriented may not pay as well as career-oriented positions. Jobs often pay an hourly wage.<\/td>\r\nCareer-oriented jobs generally offer an annual salary versus a wage. Career-oriented jobs may also offer appealing benefits, like health insurance and retirement.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Satisfaction and contributing to society<\/td>\r\nMany jobs are important to society, but some may not bring high levels of personal satisfaction.<\/td>\r\nCareers allow you to invest time and energy in honing your crafts and experiencing personal satisfaction. Career pursuits may include making contributions to society.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\nIn summary, a job lets you enjoy at least a minimal level of financial security, and it requires you to show up and do what is required of you. In exchange, you get paid.\r\n\r\nA career, on the other hand, is more of a means of achieving personal fulfillment through the jobs you hold. In a career, your jobs tend to follow a sequence that leads to increasing mastery, professional development, and personal and financial satisfaction. A career requires planning, knowledge, and skills, too. If it is to be a fulfilling career, it requires that you bring into play your full set of analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills. You will be called upon in a career to make informed decisions that will affect your life in both the short term and the long term. A career also lets you express your unique personality traits, skills, values, and interests.\r\n\r\nThe following video gives explicit, textbook-style distinctions between the terms job<\/em>, work<\/em>, and career<\/em>. You may especially appreciate this video if English is a second language for you or if you are\u00a0a first-generation college student.\r\n

Video: Difference between Job, Work, and Career<\/em><\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/eNcl9d8x7yk\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"7\"]\r\n\r\nYou can find the quiz referenced at the bottom of the lesson here<\/a>. The next video takes a different look at jobs and\u00a0careers. The speaker discusses the more affective, emotional aspects of pursuing a career. His emphasis is on the importance of being passionate about your work.\r\n

Video: Job vs. Career - Think about a long time career<\/em><\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/Fc7MvWOXj7c\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"8\"]\r\n\r\nWhether you pursue individual jobs or an extended career or both, your time with your employers will always be comprised of your individual journey. May your journey be as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.\r\n

The Five-Step Process for Choosing Your Career<\/h3>\r\nAs your thoughts about career expand, keep in mind that over\u00a0the course of your life, you will probably\u00a0spend a lot of time at work\u2014thousands of hours, in fact. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average workday is about 8.7 hours long, and this means that if you work 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, for 35 years, you will spend a total of 76,125 hours of your life at work. These numbers should convince you that it\u2019s pretty important to enjoy your career.\r\n\r\nIf you do pursue a career, you\u2019ll find yourself making many decisions about it. Is this the right career for me? Am I feeling fulfilled and challenged? Does this career enable me to have the lifestyle I desire? It\u2019s important to consider these questions now, whether you\u2019re just graduating from high school or college, or you\u2019re returning to school after working for a while.\r\n\r\nChoosing a career\u2014any career\u2014is a unique process for everyone, and for many people the task is daunting. There are so many different occupations to choose from. How do you navigate this complex world of work?\r\n\r\nThe California Community Colleges Chancellor\u2019s Office has identified a five-step decision process that will make your career path a little easier to find. Below\u00a0are the steps:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Get to know yourself<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Get to know your field<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Prioritize your \u201cdeal makers\u201d and rule out your \u201cdeal breakers\u201d<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Make a preliminary career decision and create a plan of action<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Go out and achieve your career goal<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Step 1: Get to Know Yourself<\/h3>\r\nGet to know yourself and the things you\u2019re truly passionate about.\r\n