Career academies have been around for more than three decades and are increasingly becoming more popular. They are usually small groupings of students at the high school level, focused on a career pathway, such as health or business. Academics and career-based technical education are combined to bring relevancy to the subjects. Students often make connections with businesses in the area so that they can get real work experience in the field. Students are often able to prepare for college as well as learn technical skills that can get them placed in an entry level position after high school.
Last year I visited a new high school in Sacramento called the Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School. They offered a media-filled exhibition, which included classroom experiences to promote the school's integrated curriculum. It was an exciting environment which appeared to make academics applicable to the real world and hopefully, not only keep the interest of the students, but also make them involved.
The career academy approach was of high interest to me. After all, I've had two kids who recently graduated from high school -- not to mention the business I'm in. Do academies really help?
A study has just been published from MDRC that randomly assigned a group of students (mostly Hispanic or African-American, from a total of nine urban high schools) into either a career academy or a control group. This longitudinal study followed students from the time they entered high school to eight years after their scheduled graduation.
Briefly, some of the highlights of the study include:
- Students from the Career Academies earned more money per year (+11%) than students in the control group.
- 50% of the students from both the Career Academies and those from the control group both received a variety of post secondary credentials. Also, 90% of students from both groups earned their high school diploma or a GED. There wasn't a difference between the groups when it came to academic achievements.
- Women didn't achieve the same benefits of the increased earnings as the men in the group. Investigators are looking into that finding.
To read the complete study, go to the MDRC website. With all the money being poured into academies and the number of high schools being reorganized, it is important to have some good research coming out about the efficacy of these programs.
For more information about career academies in general, go to the Career Academies Support Network website.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Landing that First Job: The Old Rules Still Apply
This morning, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Musbach, the managing editor at Yahoo! Hot Jobs.
Tom graciously allowed me to pick his brain a little about strategies teens and young adults might use to land that first job or summer job.
It's been a long time since I was in that position (you know, back in the Dark Ages, before the World Wide Web made it possible to download a job application from the comfort of your own home). Back then, my search consisted of walking door to door at the local mall and requesting an application to fill out. Most of the time, my encounters with store management ended right there... but occasionally, something about my appearance or personality would trigger an actual interview... and eventually, a hire.
Today, most large retailers and restaurant chains offer job applications online. This is convenient, but it's a lot harder to make a good first impression, especially when you are just starting out in the market and haven't a lot of experience.
"The first thing you have to do is make sure you've got a tight resume," Tom says.
He recognizes that lack of experience is a kind of Catch-22 for young people: How can you get the job experience until you've landed that first job?
In that case, Tom advises young people to "think outside the job experience realm" and translate their extracurricular activities, volunteer work and studies into transferable skills the prospective employer wants (i.e., communication, reliability, responsibility, and leadership).
"You need to highlight your accomplishments in a succinct way," he says.
Getting that resume into the right hands can also be a challenge.
"It's important to network," Tom says. "Speak up. Ask your parents, relatives, family friends - who do you know?"
This sounds like the same advice I was given back when I was first job hunting, 35 years ago. In fact, it's the same strategy seasoned professionals use all the time, because the best jobs are not always advertised and are often discovered through word of mouth.
Tom mentioned some of the popular social networking sites, like LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace (the latter two being the most popular among young people). However, he cautions all job hunters to be wary of the digital footprints they may be leaving behind on social networking sites and blogs.
"Recruiters DO use search engines, and if things come up, if they see an off-color remark, it can reflect poorly on the candidate," he says.
Tom reminds job hunters that "any time you apply in person, you have to think about the impression you make."
He says it's even more important when your resume is thin, because the employer has so much less to go on.
Finally, Tom reminds job hunters to follow up with employers after applying.
"Don't assume they're not interested if you haven't heard from them," he says. "It is within you right to call and check on the status of your application, and it communicates your interest in this job."
Tom graciously allowed me to pick his brain a little about strategies teens and young adults might use to land that first job or summer job.
It's been a long time since I was in that position (you know, back in the Dark Ages, before the World Wide Web made it possible to download a job application from the comfort of your own home). Back then, my search consisted of walking door to door at the local mall and requesting an application to fill out. Most of the time, my encounters with store management ended right there... but occasionally, something about my appearance or personality would trigger an actual interview... and eventually, a hire.
Today, most large retailers and restaurant chains offer job applications online. This is convenient, but it's a lot harder to make a good first impression, especially when you are just starting out in the market and haven't a lot of experience.
"The first thing you have to do is make sure you've got a tight resume," Tom says.
He recognizes that lack of experience is a kind of Catch-22 for young people: How can you get the job experience until you've landed that first job?
In that case, Tom advises young people to "think outside the job experience realm" and translate their extracurricular activities, volunteer work and studies into transferable skills the prospective employer wants (i.e., communication, reliability, responsibility, and leadership).
"You need to highlight your accomplishments in a succinct way," he says.
Getting that resume into the right hands can also be a challenge.
"It's important to network," Tom says. "Speak up. Ask your parents, relatives, family friends - who do you know?"
This sounds like the same advice I was given back when I was first job hunting, 35 years ago. In fact, it's the same strategy seasoned professionals use all the time, because the best jobs are not always advertised and are often discovered through word of mouth.
Tom mentioned some of the popular social networking sites, like LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace (the latter two being the most popular among young people). However, he cautions all job hunters to be wary of the digital footprints they may be leaving behind on social networking sites and blogs.
"Recruiters DO use search engines, and if things come up, if they see an off-color remark, it can reflect poorly on the candidate," he says.
Tom reminds job hunters that "any time you apply in person, you have to think about the impression you make."
He says it's even more important when your resume is thin, because the employer has so much less to go on.
- Don't show too much skin.
- Leave ripped or torn garments at home
- Avoid t-shirts with slogans (especially if they are controversial)
Finally, Tom reminds job hunters to follow up with employers after applying.
"Don't assume they're not interested if you haven't heard from them," he says. "It is within you right to call and check on the status of your application, and it communicates your interest in this job."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
How Do You Help Your Teen Look for Work?
My middle child, I'll just call him "Son" in blog posts, is unemployed. He needs a job, but at 19 years old, he has his standards as you can imagine. This is not a good year for Son to be so picky. The Sacramento Bee reported that the regional teens are competing with the senior market, a trend happening in other parts of the country as well. The unemployment rate in our local region for ages 65-74 was cut in half during the two year period of 2004-2006, down to 3.1 percent. According to the article, this summer's teen employment rate nationwide will be the lowest since 1948.
Since I have been involved in career education since my oldest was in diapers, my kids have been raised with career awareness drilled into their heads. So have their friends who have also been harassed since they were in elementary school. I have abused our local teachers, who have been tapped into with surveys, emails, reviews and more. When my kids were in preschool, I would have told you that my children would be experts in job search skills when they became young adults.
Fast forward. Son recently returned from his first year of college about 400 miles away from home. He is in his third week home and there are no real job prospects. He his on his way this afternoon to go to a Starbucks Job Fair and he wanted to know what to wear. I guess I'm glad he asked and when I think about it, it really isn't a bad question. Is a tie overkill? Probably, I tell him.
What really disturbs me is that he thinks going to one place a day is real job hunting.
Yesterday, he dropped in on his previous employer to kick a few tires. His ex-boss was nice enough to give him a lead to another job. That was the one place Son applied to yesterday. After filling out and dropping off the application, exhausted Son went out to eat with his buddy (who at least is already employed).
Son is actually a good worker, but he wants to make the fast buck. When he applied last week at a car dealership, he was told it was a 60-hour a week job. Uh, what? "Do people actually work that many hours?" he asked. Selling cars is no longer on his job-radar.
I don't mean for this post to be a complaint session about my son. He's probably only been out to lunch for fast food two times since he's been back because he has little left in his bank account. He's a good kid (really, he is! Just ask his grandma.) But, I do wonder what other parents do to help their children, who may be a little unrealistic, look for work.
Since I have been involved in career education since my oldest was in diapers, my kids have been raised with career awareness drilled into their heads. So have their friends who have also been harassed since they were in elementary school. I have abused our local teachers, who have been tapped into with surveys, emails, reviews and more. When my kids were in preschool, I would have told you that my children would be experts in job search skills when they became young adults.
Fast forward. Son recently returned from his first year of college about 400 miles away from home. He is in his third week home and there are no real job prospects. He his on his way this afternoon to go to a Starbucks Job Fair and he wanted to know what to wear. I guess I'm glad he asked and when I think about it, it really isn't a bad question. Is a tie overkill? Probably, I tell him.
What really disturbs me is that he thinks going to one place a day is real job hunting.
Yesterday, he dropped in on his previous employer to kick a few tires. His ex-boss was nice enough to give him a lead to another job. That was the one place Son applied to yesterday. After filling out and dropping off the application, exhausted Son went out to eat with his buddy (who at least is already employed).
Son is actually a good worker, but he wants to make the fast buck. When he applied last week at a car dealership, he was told it was a 60-hour a week job. Uh, what? "Do people actually work that many hours?" he asked. Selling cars is no longer on his job-radar.
I don't mean for this post to be a complaint session about my son. He's probably only been out to lunch for fast food two times since he's been back because he has little left in his bank account. He's a good kid (really, he is! Just ask his grandma.) But, I do wonder what other parents do to help their children, who may be a little unrealistic, look for work.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Interviewing High School Style
Last week I was invited to participate on a panel to interview ROP students for a mock company. These junior and senior high school students had been provided with sample interview questions, as well as information about the fake company so that they could prepare properly. We were told we didn’t have to stick to the list of questions provided… we were to ask whatever we thought would be helpful and appropriate based on how the 10-minute interview progressed with each student.
After each interview, the student was asked to step outside while we compared our notes. The student came back in and we gave them our compliments and constructive criticism with the hope that the feedback will give them a step ahead of the crowd entering the summer workforce.
It was fun, encouraging and a little surprising.
I think I saw a range that was to be expected. One student stood out quite a bit, even though he was shy. I would have hired him on the spot. One student needed a lot of guidance with the interview process. The rest did very well in the middle.
Here are some takeaway points that were gathered. This is in addition to the tips we should be providing people on how to answer “why should I hire you” types of questions:
- Boys/Men should wear a belt. Most know that a tie is key to a business look, but not one male realized they should finish the job with the belt. Actually, I didn’t notice this – the men on the panel pointed it out. Once they did, I realized they were right.
- Girls/Women shouldn’t show cleavage. The men either didn’t notice (which I doubt) or didn’t have the nerve to mention it during our note-comparison discussion, but I brought it up. No one was comfortable telling this to the young lady when we debriefed her, so I passed the information on to the teacher and left it up to her discretion.
- Learn how to shake hands! This takes practice. We practiced for a few minutes with one student. The older adults know that the handshake is a critical component of the first impression.
- Learn about the company! Too many students did not have real knowledge about the company, even though they were given the same information the panel was given. That was probably my biggest surprise. All they had to do was read a 2-page document.
- Don’t downplay skills. One student mentioned her typing skills were “only about average… 50 words per minute.” She should have confidently stated that her “typing speed is an accurate 50 words per minute.” Her skills are respectable and not less than people would expect from a 17-year old. Why put it down by calling it average?
In fact, the students tended to downplay their skills. They were nervous and didn’t realize what they really had to offer a company. Some had trouble answering the basic interview questions, which I assume is either because of their nerves or because they didn’t practice. Which leaves me to one last suggestion, which I’m sure they’ve heard before: Practice. Practice with family members, practice in front of a mirror, practice with a video camera, practice with friends, or practice with whoever and whatever will listen.
I have to admit, while sitting there asking questions and listening to the answers of these brave young adults (and they were brave due to the intimidating circumstances – they were getting a grade on how well they performed), I wondered how I was at interviewing at their age. I can’t really know because time skews our memories, but I have a feeling they did a pretty good job in comparison. I really was proud of them.
I don’t know how many high schools offer this kind of training for their entire student population. My next task is going to see how we can expand the training program our high school provides for ROP students to the rest of the student population. I’d like to see all of our local students have the best opportunity to get the job they want.
After each interview, the student was asked to step outside while we compared our notes. The student came back in and we gave them our compliments and constructive criticism with the hope that the feedback will give them a step ahead of the crowd entering the summer workforce.
It was fun, encouraging and a little surprising.
I think I saw a range that was to be expected. One student stood out quite a bit, even though he was shy. I would have hired him on the spot. One student needed a lot of guidance with the interview process. The rest did very well in the middle.
Here are some takeaway points that were gathered. This is in addition to the tips we should be providing people on how to answer “why should I hire you” types of questions:
- Boys/Men should wear a belt. Most know that a tie is key to a business look, but not one male realized they should finish the job with the belt. Actually, I didn’t notice this – the men on the panel pointed it out. Once they did, I realized they were right.
- Girls/Women shouldn’t show cleavage. The men either didn’t notice (which I doubt) or didn’t have the nerve to mention it during our note-comparison discussion, but I brought it up. No one was comfortable telling this to the young lady when we debriefed her, so I passed the information on to the teacher and left it up to her discretion.
- Learn how to shake hands! This takes practice. We practiced for a few minutes with one student. The older adults know that the handshake is a critical component of the first impression.
- Learn about the company! Too many students did not have real knowledge about the company, even though they were given the same information the panel was given. That was probably my biggest surprise. All they had to do was read a 2-page document.
- Don’t downplay skills. One student mentioned her typing skills were “only about average… 50 words per minute.” She should have confidently stated that her “typing speed is an accurate 50 words per minute.” Her skills are respectable and not less than people would expect from a 17-year old. Why put it down by calling it average?
In fact, the students tended to downplay their skills. They were nervous and didn’t realize what they really had to offer a company. Some had trouble answering the basic interview questions, which I assume is either because of their nerves or because they didn’t practice. Which leaves me to one last suggestion, which I’m sure they’ve heard before: Practice. Practice with family members, practice in front of a mirror, practice with a video camera, practice with friends, or practice with whoever and whatever will listen.
I have to admit, while sitting there asking questions and listening to the answers of these brave young adults (and they were brave due to the intimidating circumstances – they were getting a grade on how well they performed), I wondered how I was at interviewing at their age. I can’t really know because time skews our memories, but I have a feeling they did a pretty good job in comparison. I really was proud of them.
I don’t know how many high schools offer this kind of training for their entire student population. My next task is going to see how we can expand the training program our high school provides for ROP students to the rest of the student population. I’d like to see all of our local students have the best opportunity to get the job they want.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
How’s Your Digital Footprint?
It is estimated that 1.5 million college graduates will be entering the work force this year. Due to the slowing economy, these young workers are going to need to network more than ever.
The good news is that today's graduates have a head start, thanks to online networking tools like Facebook and LinkedIn. According to a recent survey by Robert Half International, 62 percent of senior executives believe that these professional networking sites will be a key part of their companies' recruiting efforts in the next three years.
The bad news is that many college students haven't thought ahead to the kind of impression they are making with their profiles on those sites. Wall posts, blogs and photos that depict students drinking and partying can be seen by potential employers as well as trusted friends, leaving a "digital footprint" that may end up hurting their chances of getting hired after graduation.
According to the Pew Internet and Life Project, "One-in-five working American adults (20%) say their employer has a special policy about how employees present themselves online -- including what can be shared and posted on blogs and other websites."
In a recent survey of advertising and marketing executives conducted by the Creative Group staffing agency, 50% the respondents said they search for online information about prospective hires – and that 14% of them chose NOT to hire someone based upon what they found.
Fortunately, teenagers who have grown up with online social networking are a savvy bunch. Pew reports that "Teens with visible profiles make more conservative choices with respect to visibility; just 40% said their profile was visible to anyone, while 59% reported access that was restricted to friends only."
So what do you do if your online life has been an open book? How do you counter information that might turn off a prospective employer?
Creative Group executive director Bob Willmer advises job seekers that "If there is unflattering information about you online that you cannot remove, be prepared to offer an explanation to employers who might inquire about it."
Willmer also suggests that students be selective about who is allowed into their LinkedIn networks and that they make use of forums by commenting and posting information that shows off their professional involvement and qualifications.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How To Help Young Kids Make Money (the Honest Way!)
I'm just kidding about the honest way. I just have sad thoughts when I think of some ways a few of the confused kids in our town have tried to make money.
We (Career Kids) just sent out a newsletter this morning that included a link to a handout for teachers and counselors to distribute to their families. The handout is to help figure out how middle school-aged children can earn some extra money this summer. You can read the handout here.
As a parent of a 7th grader, I am in the thick of it. She wants to make money, but she has limited choices at her age. The obvious, babysitting, is OK for my daughter, but I know she would like to do more. When her big brother was in middle school, he used to come up with so many schemes to make money, it gave me premature gray hair. I never knew what I was going to come home to after work. We're talking saws, ovens, bicycles and more. Use your imagination.
The handout for the counselors included brainstorming ideas, as well as a list of "jobs" for young students. After all, some kids have great talents that just won't be included on a "list". But, here is what we did include:
Babysitting
Pet sitting
Yard workers
Bicycle repair
Camp counselor
Referee and umpires
Computer tutoring or training (this can be a good resource if you live near a retirement community)
Garage sales
House sitting (pick up mail, packages, feed animals, water plants while neighbors are away)
Car washing/detailing
DVD rental (if the family has a large collection)
Recycle pickup (they make their money when they take the recycling to the service center)
Library pick up and return
Another idea, particularly during the holidays is giftwrapper, but recommended only for the truly coordinated!
Any other ideas? I could use them myself!
We (Career Kids) just sent out a newsletter this morning that included a link to a handout for teachers and counselors to distribute to their families. The handout is to help figure out how middle school-aged children can earn some extra money this summer. You can read the handout here.
As a parent of a 7th grader, I am in the thick of it. She wants to make money, but she has limited choices at her age. The obvious, babysitting, is OK for my daughter, but I know she would like to do more. When her big brother was in middle school, he used to come up with so many schemes to make money, it gave me premature gray hair. I never knew what I was going to come home to after work. We're talking saws, ovens, bicycles and more. Use your imagination.
The handout for the counselors included brainstorming ideas, as well as a list of "jobs" for young students. After all, some kids have great talents that just won't be included on a "list". But, here is what we did include:
Babysitting
Pet sitting
Yard workers
Bicycle repair
Camp counselor
Referee and umpires
Computer tutoring or training (this can be a good resource if you live near a retirement community)
Garage sales
House sitting (pick up mail, packages, feed animals, water plants while neighbors are away)
Car washing/detailing
DVD rental (if the family has a large collection)
Recycle pickup (they make their money when they take the recycling to the service center)
Library pick up and return
Another idea, particularly during the holidays is giftwrapper, but recommended only for the truly coordinated!
Any other ideas? I could use them myself!
Friday, May 9, 2008
A New Adventure... Blogging!
Welcome to our the new Career Kids blog. While we often have conversations with teachers, counselors and administrators, writing this blog will be something very new. I am told I can write about anything I want. Hmmm.... that can get me into trouble if I'm not careful.
Working in marketing and publishing was not my personal career path when I started college. But, here I am.
I am also at that age where my friends' kids are graduating from college. Two of my own children are in college. I talk to friends about what their young adult children are going to do after graduation. Everyone is hopeful that a job will be found quickly. One friend of mine has a daughter who lined up a great engineering job before she graduated. This young woman was more than just lucky -- she was determined and a go-getter.
To be honest, I'm not so sure my own kids will be so determined and such go-getters. Will my young graduates move back home for an extended period of time, will they be able to support themselves, will they be happy, etc? When they graduate, it will be the first time they will not be able to write student in the occupation box when filling out questionnaires or medical forms.
I am noticing my conversations with friends whose children are just graduating are involving a lot of discussion about the difficult transition period that many people experience after college graduation. For myself, I can look back at some of the more difficult years in my life and the first year after graduation was definitely one of the hardest. Not planning to go on to graduate school (mainly because I really didn't feel passionate about anything in particular except making money to support myself), what did a degree in psychology really buy me? And what would it buy me now?
Well, the good news is, a college degree in any major still opens doors for you. It may not carry the same weight as it did back in my day, but there are many employers who are looking for the applicants with the four-year degree in any major.
Students usually don't take advantage of all the services a college campus has to offer. If you have a child in college, urge him or her to go to their school's academic and career counseling offices. They can always change their minds and switch careers (or majors). Let's encourage our young college students to be proactive and receive advice and counsel so that their transition into the working world isn't so difficult.
Working in marketing and publishing was not my personal career path when I started college. But, here I am.
I am also at that age where my friends' kids are graduating from college. Two of my own children are in college. I talk to friends about what their young adult children are going to do after graduation. Everyone is hopeful that a job will be found quickly. One friend of mine has a daughter who lined up a great engineering job before she graduated. This young woman was more than just lucky -- she was determined and a go-getter.
To be honest, I'm not so sure my own kids will be so determined and such go-getters. Will my young graduates move back home for an extended period of time, will they be able to support themselves, will they be happy, etc? When they graduate, it will be the first time they will not be able to write student in the occupation box when filling out questionnaires or medical forms.
I am noticing my conversations with friends whose children are just graduating are involving a lot of discussion about the difficult transition period that many people experience after college graduation. For myself, I can look back at some of the more difficult years in my life and the first year after graduation was definitely one of the hardest. Not planning to go on to graduate school (mainly because I really didn't feel passionate about anything in particular except making money to support myself), what did a degree in psychology really buy me? And what would it buy me now?
Well, the good news is, a college degree in any major still opens doors for you. It may not carry the same weight as it did back in my day, but there are many employers who are looking for the applicants with the four-year degree in any major.
Students usually don't take advantage of all the services a college campus has to offer. If you have a child in college, urge him or her to go to their school's academic and career counseling offices. They can always change their minds and switch careers (or majors). Let's encourage our young college students to be proactive and receive advice and counsel so that their transition into the working world isn't so difficult.
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