CAREER CHOICE Grade 9 subject choice preparation Myths

CAREER CHOICE Grade 9 subject choice preparation

Myths § The Plenty of Time Trap § The Minimum Requirements Trap § The “Bishops ticket” § Specialist vs All Rounder?

The Reality Check § The “best of the bunch” …Merit Ranking § The Boy as the Brand – Pw. C/EY § The need for transferable skills…. (the right stuff, not the right bluff) § What you did § What you can do § Self-awareness is key

Top Ten Career Skills in 2015 § 1. Ability to work in a team structure 2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems (tie) 3. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization 4. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work 5. Ability to obtain and process information 6. Ability to analyze quantitative data 7. Technical knowledge related to the job 8. Proficiency with computer software programs 9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports 10. Ability to sell and influence others

The mission…. Career guidance for adolescents must § Manage the tension between dreams and reality § Take into account the practical necessities § Provide information § Connect boys to tertiary institutions, work shadow opportunities § Support THEIR quest

What can we do as parents? § § ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE, RESPONSIBILITY AND TEAM SKILLS BY: Requiring self-discipline Meeting of deadlines Work before play § § § INTRODUCE THEM TO THE REAL WORLD OF OUR WORK. Take them to work Talk about work related issues Ask their opinion Read the newspaper. § § CHANGE OUR WAY OF THINKING Face our own unresolved issues, unreasonable expectations, limiting beliefs Never re-live our lives through our children; honour their individuality and calling Assist (not do) their research, double-check the details – ie “project manage” this process

Points to ponder §Avoid the “square peg in a round hole” syndrome § 4 (or more) distinct careers per lifetime §Character and depth of experience as important as qualifications §Personalities/passions can be expressed within a career path §Aptitude tests? §Though expensive, we DO get a second chance at this decision!

What have we done as a school? § Interactive web site: PACE Career Centre § A basic interest/aptitude questionnaire § Bar graph showing preferred fields of interest § Information on all careers related to these fields § Values, personality traits, aptitudes, subjects recommended § Direct links to universities; opportunity to email specific questions § Workbook prepared for portfolio § Individual help to make some preliminary choices § FET: Interviews, job shadows, Open Days, talks by tertiary institutions, Career Library, assistance with applications, intranet webpage, Career Forum Society

What we cannot do. . . § Guarantee admission to the institution of choice § Warn every boy of every change in every course in every institution on every continent § Build a young man’s CV § Take responsibility for his application § Make the final career choice for him

We aim to be. . . § A catalyst for thought and self-examination § An inspiration to aim as high as possible § A resource base § A channel of reference § A support wherever applicable and appropriate