7 Career Tips for Teens

Many parents of high school students today are struggling to help their teenagers think about and answer the million-dollar question “What do I want to do with my life?” The New Year’s resolution season is upon us and it’s the perfect time for teens to ponder their professional future. Here are some helpful career tips for teens.

1. Plan your career

It’s never too early to gather information about jobs with high earnings, great career prospects, and attributes that are so important to you. Make a solid career plan. True, college education increases your opportunities for careers with high earnings, but this is not the case in all fields. Great opportunities await professionals and workers without college education who spend many years learning in-demand skills or crafts.

2. Finish high school

Almost all jobs require basic analytical and communication skills. Compared to professionals and skilled workers who finish high school and pursue higher education, high school dropouts face more challenges in getting hired and keeping jobs. While skills and experience are important factors in the hiring process, many employers put much weight on an applicant’s educational background.

3. Consider further education or training

Workers who have higher education tend to have higher earnings than those who have lower levels of education. In general, high school graduates have higher earnings compared to high school dropouts. Also, workers who have postsecondary training are paid more compared to high school dropouts and high school graduates. Workers who pursue a bachelor’s, masteral, or doctoral degrees are more likely to have higher earnings than workers with less education.

4. Learn job search techniques and how to develop a good resume

After graduating from high school, you have to aggressively market your skills when you search and apply for a job. It will help if you learn job search techniques and develop a good resume. On the average, workers change jobs 8 times jobs by the time they are 32. So you must be prepared to change jobs and even careers until you settle for the one that’s perfect for you.

5. Gain experience as early as possible

As mentioned, employers usually hire candidates based on their experience related to the job they’re applying for. So gain experience early. Volunteer, internships, on-the-job training, and part-time jobs, are some ways to gain experience while you’re still in school. A hands-on experience will help you make smart career decisions later in life.

6. Acquire basic computer proficiency

You must always take advantage of opportunities to develop computer skills. Whether you decide to go to college and pursue higher education or not, you will still need some degree of computer skills when you do your job.

7. Value your abilities and personal interests

Don’t be discouraged to go after a career that you really like just because it’s a very competitive career. If your abilities and interests direct you to a field such as law, medicine, journalism, acting, or other competitive occupations, then go for it by all means. Just prepare yourself for the challenges and difficulties that may come your way.

On the Road to Job Promotion

If you really want that higher position you’ve been eyeing since you joined the organization, you have to rise above the cut-throat competition. Step up in this dog-eat-dog world to get the promotion you deserve. By stepping up we mean exerting extra efforts to get positive attention. Here are 5 tips that will help you climb the corporate ladder.

1. Be enthusiastic

Show your enthusiasm. Tell your boss and your colleagues what you enjoy most about your job. Highlight the parts of your work you really do best and look forward to performing. Share this excitement, even in informal conversations with friends and colleagues. This will definitely help you concentrate on the parts of your work you do well and want to improve. It will also help members of the organization notice that you do your job very well.

2. Ask for further training

If you want to be promoted, request for further training. Grab every opportunity to undergo every training your employer provides. Even if the training doesn’t cover your job area, it may help you learn new skills and knowledge in other areas. You must define what training will make you improve your job. If you need a training but isn’t available, explain to your employer how it will benefit the organization.

3. Assume more responsibility

You must be very willing to take on added responsibility. Let your boss know that you want to climb the career ladder. Volunteer to help out in many activities of the organization. This will make you more important and valuable to them.

4. Challenge yourself with difficult projects

You probably won’t get noticed unless you challenge yourself with difficult projects and exceed expectations. Consider asking for challenging projects that you believe you can do very well, and you think would help the organization. However, you must not promise too much. Work under the radar when completing the project. If your boss and colleagues don’t expect too much, it’s very likely that the project will be seen as a success, even if the results fall below your own expectations.

5. Decide what you must learn

Reflect on what you must learn to edge out the competition and get the position you want. Consider taking evening classes or reading books and magazine articles related to your job. Stay updated with the happenings in your field. It is also crucial that you acquire computer skills and learn new technologies.

6 Sports Jobs for College Jocks

The end of your jock days doesn’t mean you’re not playing your favorite or any game anymore. You can continue engaging in sports by getting a sports-related job. If you majored in communications and played basketball, you’ll still get to the court everyday if you’re working in a team’s publicity department. If you majored in science or pre-med, a sports medicine career will require you to work with athletes all day. Here are 6 great sports jobs for people who are into sports in college:

1. College coach

If you want to stay in college sports, then consider coaching a college team. You can start out as an assistant coach and you can eventually become a head coach. According to Salary Wizard, assistant coach of a major college team earns about $46,700 a year and a head coach earns about $64,300. You’ll earn around 25% less if you coach a minor college team.

2. Athletic trainer

You won’t miss the big game when you land a job as a collegiate athletic trainer. This job requires you on the sidelines to help injured athletes. According to Salary Wizard, an assistant athletic trainer makes $38,700 a year while head trainer earns up to $50,700.

3. Physical education teacher

If you want to teach children, get paid and play sports all day by obtaining a teaching certificate. Then land a job as a gym teacher. Salary Wizard estimates the salary for physical education teachers in the United States at $49,000.

4, Sports medicine

If you were injured back in college playing your sport and you were intrigued by it, you may want to pursue a career in sports medicine and work with patients/athletes. Salaries for sports medicine physicians average $229,500 whereas salaries for nurses average $60,500, according to Salary Wizard.

5. Event marketing associate

If you’re an athlete and are passionate about sports, you can work for a sports-related company or a sports magazine as an event marketing associate. This job will require you to work with public relations, advertising sales, client marketing, creative services, and legal office. Event marketing associates earn about $52,400.

6. Corporate communications manager

Share your love of sports by working as a corporate communications manager. A public relations or marketing degree or great communication skills (both written and oral), will help you make a plan that supports marketing efforts and promotes the brand. Corporate communications managers earn $84,100 on the average.

Starting a New Job: 5 Tips for Getting Ready

First day at work can be a nerve-wracking experience. Will your coworkers view you positively or negatively? Will you like the new environment? Will you end the day with flying colors? Here are 5 tips to help you out on your first day at work, especially if you’re in a people or managerial type of job.

1. Get to know the people

Getting to know the people you’re going to work with is the first thing you must do in your first day. You need to do this to build up a good relationship. Trust is the name of the game here. How can you trust your coworker with a really important task if you know little about him/her? How can your superior assign you any responsibility if he/she doesn’t trust you in the first place? Getting to know your coworkers is especially important if you’re a manager, as you’ll need their full support if something needs to get done.

2. Smile and be enthusiastic

You’re going to your new job and not to your dentist. So smile and be enthusiastic. Your new job signals the opening of a new, great chapter of your life. Show your joy by letting your coworkers know and feel that you’re happy to work with them. Extend your hand if they need anything and show them your desire for continuous learning and improvement.

3. Dress up

First impression lasts. This is especially true in the workplace. Make a good impression so that your coworkers won’t wonder whether you’re reliable when something needs to be accomplished. Wearing t-shirt and jeans is perfectly OK if you’re in a technical job, but if you’re the new manager and you’re going to deal with your boss and clients, expect that those people will be overly annoyed if you’re attending a meeting wearing a casual t-shirt.

4. Review relevant materials

You have to show to your coworkers that you’re familiar with general areas of your tasks. Your coworkers might be turned off if you don’t pick up instructions quickly. Review relevant materials to prepare you for your first day. Don’t afraid to ask questions if you don’t know what to do. Make sure that your coworkers recognize your willingness to learn.

5. Do your job well

You were employed to perform certain tasks. All your efforts are wasted if you’re not able to contribute to your organization’s welfare. Prove to them that you’re worth their time and investment.