Jamika couldn't believe she was sit...

Jamika couldn't believe she was sitting in forehead of the principal's office in single of the chairs usually reserv for family in very big trouble.

"All I said was, 'I really don't care about what I'm going to do after high school' Then Mr Perez told me to walk to the office," Jamika said to no united in particular as she hung her head and stared at her hands.

on a sudden the office door opened, and Mr Barney, the principal, stood from one side of to the other Jamika with his hands onward his hips. "I asked Mr Perez to propel you down here today, because we ne to secure a few things straight."

Jamika followed Mr Barney into the office and prepared herself for the worst.

Mr Barney studied Jamika for a twinkling of an eye and settled back in his chair. "Jamika, you're not in any classroom kind of disorder but unless you begin to understand a not many things, you may be in deeper put in commotion than you think."

Jamika examineed up at the principal with a strange combination of relief and concern

"You're undivided of the most creative, talented race in this school," Mr. Barney continued, "but you don't have the appearance to care what happens nearest week, next year, or for the quiet of your life."

"It's not that I don't care," Jamika suited in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "It's just that I don't know what I want to do... or on a level what I can do."

Mr Barney smiled. "Believe it or not, that's consummately normal for somebody your age, moreover unless you start to figure disclosed where you're going soon, you'll conclusion up nowhere." The principal sat up in his chair. "Do you really want to last up nowhere, Jamika?"

"No, Mr Barney, on the other hand I don't even know where to begin," Jamika responded

'There's an advanced in years saying: 'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,'" Mr Barney said. "What you ne Jamika, is a plan. I can help you create undivided if you'll work with me"

Jamika awaited up and smiled for the first time. "You're the principal. Do I really have a choice?"

"No, I gues you don't," Mr Barney replied. "I'll papal court you tomorrow afternoon during your subject of attention hall."

What Interests You?

Jamika would rather have been listening to her CD player in the courtyard that afternoon, on the contrary she knew Mr. Barney well enough to realize that he would track her down if she didn't point out up for their appointment. The principal waved Jamika into the office as quick as she came through the door.

"Today, Jamika, we're going to start building your career plan," Mr Barney said. "The first grade is to figure out what interests you."

"Lot of things interest me Mr Barney, like skating, proper tunes, and magazines," Jamika replied, "but I don't think they have anything to do with careers."

"That's where you might be wrong" explained the principal. "The things you be delighted with doing in your spare time can sometimes give you an idea about what careers you might like. on the other hand I suggest that you find disclosed about your interests by taking a quick, painless criterion called a career interest inventory."

Jamika pass by a leaped a little in her chair. "Oh no, I can't take a exhibition today. I'm really busy, and I didn't steady have a chance to study"

Mr Barney laughed as he motioned for Jamika to make clear down. "Relax. This kind of exhibition has no right or inappropriate answers. You couldn't fail level if you wanted to."

The principal handed Jamika a slim booklet and said, "Come upon give it a try."

Jamika quickly answered the example items that asked her to decide whether or not she liked the activity described in each item. She didn't want to admit it to Mr Barney, further the test was actually kind of fun

Mr Barney told Jamika to stop according to tomorrow to discuss the results

Suggestions, Not Predictions

"OK professor, what am I going to be in the future?" Jamika asked when she came back for the results

"Not thus fast," replied Mr. Barney with a laugh "A career interest inventory doesn't predict your that will be It also doesn't predict whether or not you'll be prosperous at a specific career. Instead, it hints groups of careers, or clusters, that match your interests," he continued. "Basically the deductions point you toward careers that you might find satisfying and should explore further."

"All right, I gain it," Jamika said impatiently. "Now can you own me what the test said about me?"

"The eventuates suggest that Ms. Jamika A. Brown has high plains of interest in communications, the arts, and technology," Mr Barney announced with fool seriousness. Then he showed Jamika a bar graph that take the part ofed her interests.

Jamika watched with interest and then settl back in her chair. "I agree with the criterion results, Mr. Barney, but I still don't understand what careers match my interests."

"That's the nearest part," the principal explained. "In the back of the career interest inventory booklet you'll find a list of specific occupations in each career cluster. Take the booklet and make a list of five occupations that contemplate good to you. We'll talk nearest week."

Research for Your Career Search

Jamika pored throughout the list of occupations in the proof booklet. She laughed at near of them, like museum curator or mime, on the contrary others seemed really interesting. It was pleasantry to think about whether or not she really could be happy and prosperous in some of the careers. In the conclusion she chose the following five occupations: