Career Kids

Career exploration during the holidays

During the holidays many companies increase their number of employees.  Companies need these "holiday helpers" to cover the active holiday season; therefore, the jobs are temporary.  What a perfect time to try on a job!!!  If you are in high school or college, or maybe an adult considering a career change, what a great way to experience different work settings without too much commitment.

This exploration may lead to discovery of jobs that you didn't know existed.  You may find that you truly enjoy the work and may seek long-term employment through the company.  Or, you may learn that the job just wasn't the right fit for you.  Great!  Now you know, and without much time or money invested.   

Some companies to consider would be: shipping/receiving groups (i.e. UPS, FedEx), airlines/airports, retail, and restaurant.

You'll find a lot more ideas and resources for holiday job hunters at the CareerKids website, here.

Original post for Career Kids Blog. Barbara Smith is a professional counselor for children in the elementary grades.

Linking Learning Style to Careers

Learning styles are unique.  We each have one, or two.  Whatever your style is will ultimately influence how fulfilled you will feel in your career.  Congruency within a career is extremely important in order to avoid burnout and to achieve the highest level of satisfaction. 

There are several learning style assessments available.  Find one that works for your grade level and/or clientele.  Perhaps you are searching for information for yourself- this information is useful for you as well.  Check out these online resources:

• North Carolina's online assessment tool (lengthy but thorough): 
• Quick assessment, (appropriate for use with learning disabled students and/or primary grades)
• Abiator's Online Learning Styles

Editor's Note: Don't forget the series of Careers for Me interest inventories published by Career Kids: There are four versions covering grades K-8 and special needs. Find them here.

Original post for Career Kids Blog. Barbara Smith is a professional counselor for children in the elementary grades.

Elementary School- Gender roles

I heard a student describe what he wanted to be when he grows up.  He said he wanted to play sports and be a police officer.  In terms of gender stereotypes, these career goals certainly fit the description.  A female student, with whom the other student was speaking, named several careers she would like to have: ballerina, teacher, doctor, police officer, and mommy.  She was challenged by the male student because he felt that girls cannot be police officers.  So, this led us into a discussion about careers being open to anybody, male or female. 

It is concerning when students are still viewing careers as having a gender.  How can we open career awareness and exploration to include ALL arenas, not just those prescribed to stereotypically male or female?

As a side note, it was interesting to hear the female student list "mommy" as a career.  Anyone who is a parent knows how much work it truly is.

Original post for Career Kids Blog. Barbara Smith is a professional counselor for children in the elementary grades.