First Last

1. First Last

2. Explore Careers • Take assessments to discover careers that fit you • Help you identify strengths and interests • Link those strengths and interests to careers and majors • ICAN utilizes MyACT in Career Advising Sessions • www.my.act.org • Explore career interests early through job shadows & internships

3. MyACT Career Map • Discover careers that fit • Help you identify strengths and interests • Explore career interests early through job shadows & internships

4. Job Shadows • Sample a Job • Observe or “shadow” someone as they work • Spend a day or a week observing a career interest • Ask questions • Learn the ins and outs of the job

5. Internships • Professional learning experience • Sometimes paid or for credit • One – Four Months of Work • Hands-on Experience in a Field of Interest

6. Get Hands-On Experience • Iowa Intermediary Network can help • www.ICANsucceed.org/intermediaries • Job Shadow - Spend a day with a professional in a career of interest • Internships -Take a more in-depth look at a career • www.internships.com • Volunteer • www.volunteeriowa.org; www.volunteermatch.com

7. Be Active & Get Involved • Gain experience and skills outside of the classroom • Extra-Curricular Activities & Community Service • Build Skills • Leadership • Teamwork • Organization & Time Management • Improve Interpersonal Abilities

8. Career Center • Research careers • Create a resume • Learn how to write a cover letter and thank-you note • Practice your job interview skills

9. What are Essential Skills? Why are they important? Why do they matter?

10. Essential Skills • Skills outside your education or training background • Enhance your resume and job prospects • Highly sought-after by employers • Can be a make-or-break for getting the job

11. Job Interview • What do you think an employer is looking for in an interview? • Why have an interview? Why not hire someone with all the background and experience listed on the resume? • What is the hardest part of a job interview? • How can you prepare for a job interview?

12. Job Interview Questions • Easy Questions • What is your ideal job? • Five words to describe yourself? • Tricky Questions • What do you excel at and what needs improvement? • Describe the characteristics of the boss you want and then the boss you don’t want.

13. Practice Interview Skills • Appearance • Handshake, Posture, Eye Contact • Bring: resume and reference list; portfolio I like, think I would, like, be perfect for this, like, job..ya know?

14. Practice Essential Skills With student next to you practice some of the skills listed on the handout.

15. Tip of the Week Video • Senior Year Alerts • Career & College Corner Blog • Social Media