In Part I of this two-part series, ...

In Part I of this two-part series, you explored your interests and values to discover the career path that was right for you. In Part II, you will use what you learned about yourself to station a series of goals and create an action plan that will Lead to a satisfying career.

Last year Neil Edelson a high teach senior, took an important stair toward reaching his career goals. The Michigan teen participated in a train internship program that helped him discover if he would really have intercourse with the field of marketing and public relations.

"I now know that I have lay the foundation of my passion, and all I ne is a formal education to back it," says Edelson who interned in the public relations department of Ford Motor Company.

Taking Stock

Assessing your interests, values, and skills and determining a general career path for yourself are the first degrees Then you're ready to make decisions about general control fields that might correlate with your interests, talents, and mights Roll up your sleeves and research these general make subordinate areas. Learn what careers fall in subordination to these categories. Use library resources and the Internet and talk to the public such as employers, the business community, and friends. Take advantage of career days, piece of work shadowing, and informational interviews to preserve adding to your information base.

in the greatest degree important, keep an open mind, and be willing to revisit your plan as stand in want ofed "At each step in the decision-making process" says Michelle L Casto, author of commit to memory Smart! About Modern Career unfolding "revisit the previous steps to make secure that you are following your inner guidance."

Take Valerie Safstrom, for example. After assessing her interests, aptitudes, and personality, the Indiana teen decided that a career as a veterinarian undecayeded like a perfect match. in such a manner she took advanced biology, anatomy, and chemistry in high place of education in preparation. But after working in the surgical unit of an animal hospital during a 90-hour internship, Safstrom knew she would have to revise her career path. "I saved a accident of wasted time and currency in college studying to be a vet" says Safstrom. Instead of healing animals, she now intends to use her soliditys and interest in biology and science to obtain a science teaching degree

Career planning is an ongoing proces that allows you many opportunities to change your plans based forward new information you gather. Working in a tentative career choice--even for a short time--can be the best litmus criterion for making that final commitment. For example, Caludia Mendizabal, a teen from Massachusetts, worked in a law firm during her high indoctrinate summers. "I think it's interesting," she says,, "but I diocese how hard it is." Instead of preparing for a law career, she plans to hunt her love of travel. She will wok in the airline industry after college

Mary Flaherty, who is also from Massachusetts, revised her career plans after an education internship. "I realized I would be more comfortable teaching younger kids," says Flaherty.

upon the other hand, the information Nick Philp gained while getting hands-on experience in the kitchen of a large public-house helped to bolster his career decision. In high educate the Indiana teen took classes in marketing and hospitality along with English, math, and science. In guild he will take essential culinary business and inn management courses so he can persist in his goal of becoming an executive chef.

Goal Mine

one time teens commit to a specific career choice, their decision-making work has just begun. They also ne to design an action plan that asks and answers the question. by what means do you get from Point A (knowing what you want to do) to Point B (getting the ideal job)?

"You must be able to translate your wish into specific attainable career goals and bring out a realistic plan for implementing them," says career master Eugene Raudsepp. Action plans allow you to take bridle of that process. By breaking things down into small degrees you feel less stressed and are able to accomplish more.

Take Richard Schoenfeld for example. When the Georgia teen was in high denomination his soccer coach introduced him to Egyptian archaelogy. Something clicked in the teen and he started reading everything upon the subject. By the time Schoenfeld was a senior, he had his career path mapped on the outside He would start at a local college edifice [i]or[/i] building then transfer to Brown University, which presents one of the best programs in Egyptology. Schoenfeld's long-term goal? Become an archaeologist. Meanwhile, the teen put lots of short-term goals. He wanted to raise his GPA, learn to cope better with a learning disability, and plan a trip to the Middle East. Last year, using coin he had originally saved to pervert with money [i]or[/i] gain a car, Schoenfeld visited Egypt and explored its pyramids and other historic sites. He met an Egyptian teen and they continue the relationship through the whole extent of the Internet.

LaTresha Campbell, a Texas high exercise senior, decided to aim for a business career. in this way she developed an action plan that included several goals: applying to colleges; getting an related work experience at her school's credit union; and choosing to rouse to' College Station, Texas, and attend Texas A&M University.