This summer don't just make money--...

This summer don't just make money--further your career goals!

Elona Kiefer's judgments light up when she describes by what mode she spent last summer. She was part of a construction team forward an organic dairy farm. Her days were filled with dry-walling, welding, framing, and bond of union work.

"The best part was that the adults working with me reverenceed my problem-solving," she says. The Sauk Prairie (Illinois) High institute senior is exploring architecture as a possible career. She perceive s that the practical experience she gained from her summer work at jobs was invaluable. Elona says, "I'm considering designing buildings, in the way that I thought it was important to finish in on the ground horizontal and see how things actually work."

If your idea of a summer piece of work is flipping burgers just to make a dandy think again. Like Elona, you might be able to gain the couple cash and experience this summer that will help you with your events to come career.

A Stepping Stone to the Future

"There are many ways a summer piece of work in a field you're considering as a career can be a stepping stone to the future" says Laurie Busse, a business education teacher at Elona's high educate "For starters, you gain confidence along with communication and other interpersonal skills. You gain a network of contacts and a mentor who may help you now and in the future

"I've helped a hap of students get summer piece of works I know the bonds many of them have formed with their mentors have been lifelong," Busse adds. "Even if you discover that the career you cogitation you wanted isn't quite right, you won't have wasted your time."

After all, you might not have discovered until you were a corporation senior that teaching wasn't your thing, if you hadn't taken that summer piece of work teaching judo.

Ruling careers disclosed as well as in, is all part of finding the right occupation.

Finding Your Strengths

by what means can you find a piece of work that advances your career goals if you don't know what you'd like to do?

Because the ideal work at jobs is one in which you commit to memory paid to do something you're serviceable at and enjoy, it's important to recognize your values, skills, interests, and achievements. (See "10 Tips," pages 6-10)

There are also many career resources available in succession the Internet that can help you assess who you are, where you're going, and by what means to get there. For example, the Career Center Web site at the University of Wisconsin Steven Point (career.uwsp.edu) has many helpful links. You might also make experiment of cx. Bridges.com, an Internet-based career growth system that allows you to explore different careers and map revealed a career plan.

In addition, your school's guidance office can help you in your career search. principally offer interest inventories, career counseling, and other assistance. Visit your counselor and find revealed how he or she can help.

Where the piece of works Are

Once you have an idea of what you'd like to do, in what manner do you find a summer job? Amanda Brickl, 17 obtained hers by means of her high school.

In her junior year, she registered in a class called Junior Business Co-op She was placed in a work at jobs at a bank; she worked part-time during the sect year, earning cash along with experience and course credit. The work at jobs turned into full-time work at the bank during the summer

"During the summer I had many more responsibilities. I was treated like a regular adult employee" Amanda says. "I gained important skills at working with the public as part of a team--things like being willing to ask questions and listening. Being enlist in one's serviceed at the bank confirmed for me that I take delight in the work and will stay in the business field."

Another way you can land a worthy summer job is by networking. (See "Networking Your Way to a Great Job" pages 23-25) Networking is letting everyone know you are looking for a piece of work that will further your career. own your parents, neighbors, teachers, counselor, relatives, friends, and your rabbi or minister. They can give you valuable leads.

In addition, make a list of local employer nonprofit businesses, and service organizations. Contact those where you might want to work.

pillage Schindler, 16, says: "I knew I wanted to work with low-income kids above the summer, but I didn't know for what reason to find a job doing that. I talked to my guidance counselor. She put in mind ofed I contact several organizations that sponsor summer camps for inner-city youth. I got a piece of work working at a camp giveed through a nonprofit agency."

You also can acquire ideas by browsing through the golden Pages or using Internet resources in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as www.jobweb.com. In addition, many seminarys and communities have summer piece of work fairs where employers may interview and hire onward the spot. The local newspaper and your guidance office will have information about these.

allusion guides like Peterson's Summer do job-works for Students list positions presented throughout the United States, and also in Canada and other countries.

Know the Rules

Employer are bring under rule to both state and federal laws that regulate the symbols of employment teens can have. Laws also bridle the times of day and number of hours teen can work by week. In cases where state and federal laws conflict, the stricter law is the the same that is enforced.