Nortel LearniT Career Tips

	Career Crossroads!  Nortel LearniT Tips for Parents on Encouraging Career Interests
It is never too early for young people to start thinking about their career interests and abilities. Based on some broad choices, students can begin focusing their studies to provide more meaning and depth. Students always can switch paths if/when their interests change; sequenced paths tend to be provide more learning than diffused paths. The modern marketplace demands a balance of core academics, soft skills (professionalism), hard skills (i.e. tech skills) and high-level application. Students should think about what they are doing to develop and document their abilities in all four of these areas.  Within any one path, there are jobs for students with 2-yr. degrees, 4-yr. degrees, and masters/Ph.D. degrees. The level of job really just depends on one's goals, personality, and time/money/inclination to educate one's self. BUT, it is heavily recommended that ALL students acquire at least a 2-yr. Associates degree in addition to their high school diploma, because of the substantial difference in earnings between students with a 2-yr. degree and those with only a High School diploma/GED.  Look at the marketplace to see which career fields and jobs are projected to be in demand over the next. There is GREAT information online in the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Informed decisions based on real economic data are always better than blind decisions. Information Technology (IT) is projected to be the fastest growing of all sectors in the U.S. over the next decade. For those with computer interests, it's a great time to be alive!!!   (Vividly illustrated in the Bureau of Labor Standards Job Outlook Projections, 2006-2016 chart (best viewed/printed via "full screen" browser setting).