Career Exploration, Apprenticeships and Jobs
Choosing a career might seem difficult. Your specific interests, abilities, and aptitudes can lend themselves to many career choices. To find a career that's going to match your interests, abilities and aptitudes, you need to first develop a good understanding of who you are. Think about what activities you enjoy, consider what's important to you, whom do you admire, what do you spend your free time on, and identify your abilities and talents from there.
Self-assessment is the first step in choosing a career. Assessment activities (five are available) can be completed on CaliforniaColleges.edu, free to California students where it's a one-stop shop for educational, career, and financial aid planning. After you've gone through the self-assessment process, take a look at and consider the many careers that are available to you. This process takes time so be patient, but also be persistent. Moving forward in your education is critical, even if you change directions.
Classroom Skills that translate into IMPORTANT Job Skills
- Communication Skills (verbal and written)
- Analytical Skills
- Teamwork and Leadership Skills
- Technical Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Time Management and Prioritization
- Strong Work Ethic
Sophomore Career Unit
Students at WHS will participate in a three-period/day Career Unit taught by the school counselors, the College and Career specialist and the librarian in January of the students' 10th grade year. The Career Unit curriculum will have students further explore their future, which will include:
- Graduation and College Prep Requirements Presentation
- 4-Year High School Plan
- Career and College Majors/Programs Research
- Career Technical Education at Mission Valley ROP Presentation
- Personality and Career Interest Assessments/Inventories
February Was Career Awareness Month
Please join Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC) Regional Directors to learn more about job possibilities after high school!
Webinars have been recorded so students can learn more about careers in: construction, biotechnology, health, transportation, manufacturing, teaching, public safety, and computer science/digital media.
See this website for the informative presentation recordings: CTE Webinar Series Website
Apprenticeship ("Earn While You Learn”) Websites
Bay Area Apprenticeships in California Community Colleges
Bay Area Apprenticeships List At a Glance
California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association
Chabot College Apprenticeships
Cypress Mandela - 16-week Free Programs
IBEW Local 332 | Apprenticeships (ibew332.org)
Pipe Trades Training Center, San Jose
Certificated Careers/Jobs information
In-Demand Career Certifications
3-Month and 6-Month Certification Programs
6-Month Certification Programs
Volunteer Opportunities
Additional Job and Career Website Links
Bay Area Gladeo: Find a path to your dream career in the greater San Francisco Bay Area
Padlet.com/Tri-City Career Exploration Opportunities: By Mai Ye Vang of the Bay Area Community College Consortium (BACCC) in association with California Community Colleges
O*NET OnLine: A tool for career exploration and job analysis from the US Dept. of Labor
BigFuture.collegeboard.org: A College Board website of resources for students, parents and educators.
California Career Zone: Assess yourself, explore job families and give yourself a reality check as you look at careers that would be a good fit for you
CaliforniaColleges.edu: The State of California’s official college and career planning platform. Lessons and tools help students discover goals for life after high school, make plans to achieve them, and launch their futures. It’s free for California 6th - 12th grade students, their parents, and educators. CaliforniaColleges.edu is managed by the nonprofit California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI). CCGI partners with school districts to smooth student paths to college and career. It’s funded in part by the State of California as part of the Cradle-to-Career System.
California State Employment Development Department (EDD): Offers a variety of programs and services especially designed for youth
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: CAAHEP provides value to stakeholders by setting standards for quality assurance in health professions education. CAAHEP is a programmatic postsecondary accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAAHEP carries out its accrediting activities in cooperation with 25 review Committees on Accreditation.
Cool Works: Connects you to information about thousands of summer and seasonal jobs in cool places
Cooking Classes and Colleges in Northern California: Over a dozen schools in Northern California offer cooking classes through certificate and associate's degree culinary arts programs as well as through continuing education courses. In addition to classroom instruction, students learn by honing their culinary skills in school-based kitchens and restaurants. Concentration areas and internships may be included in the programs. The ten largest of Northern California's 2-year colleges provide students with a number of options for learning how to cook as a hobby or for a career in food service.
Dental Hygiene Schools: California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) - Are you ready to pursue a dental hygiene certification? Get started by finding an accredited RDH program near you (such as Chabot College, Diablo Valley College, Foothill College, etc.)
EduMed.org: Connects students with the best and most affordable online degree programs in more than 60 medical and health fields. Allied health professionals provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with health care. How to choose an allied health career - https://www.edumed.org/resources/choosing-an-allied-health-major/
HealthcarePathway.com: Educational and/or licensing requirements for various health care careers such as paramedic, 911 dispatcher, medical assisting, pharmacy tech, radiology tech, veterinary tech, dental assistant, physical therapy assistant, health care administration, nursing, dietician/nutritionist, public health, occupational therapy, etc. Many community colleges offer pre-licensing education and programs.
Indeed.com: Research various jobs and the required skills and education. How to create a resume: How To Create a High School Resume (With Tips, Template and Example)
Job Corps: A FREE program where eligible students live, work and learn together toward finishing high school (if needed) and developing a career. Low income requirements for all students except those with an IEP or 504 Plan
Jobstar.org: Sample Resumes and Cover Letters, Career Guides and more
Licensed Practical Nursing: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPNs), also known in some states as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs - CA & TX), are nurses who provide standard emergency and preventative healthcare to patients who are sick, injured, or just need routine health checkups. LPNs are supervised by registered nurses and doctors and perform their work alongside a team of healthcare providers.
To obtain state certification, LPN's must complete accredited LPN programs, which generally take around one year to complete. LPN programs are offered at many community colleges, technical schools, and even hospitals throughout the United States and Canada.
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: Where passion meets profession: Find the best health care career for you. Whether you're a high school student reviewing options for after graduation, a career-changer debating your next steps, or someone thinking about an advanced degree, there is a health care career for you. Use our career library to explore options and discover how you can apply your love for helping people or advancing the medical field to your next career. Find the spot where your passion meets your profession.
MyNextMove.org: Search careers with key words. Browse careers by industry. There are over 900 career options for you to look at. Tell us what you'd like to do. Answer questions about the type of work you might enjoy. We'll suggest careers that match your interests and training. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, and developed by the National Center for O*NET Development.
Nail Care Program at Santa Monica College: Work in a salon or spa as a manicurist and launch a rewarding career in nail care. This career path offers real-world training in nail care, including hand and foot treatments, nail designs, and nail repairs. You will take classes specifically designed to help you pass both the practical and written portions of the California State Board of Cosmetology licensing examination for manicurists. See consumer information fact sheet.
Ohlone College Career Center: The Career Center supports Students and Community Members with various services, resources, and modules to help enhance career clarity, competitiveness, and connections. The Career Center also connects with local businesses and entrepreneurs to ensure that our programs provide opportunities that build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address the workforce needs.
Transportation, Warehousing/Distribution, & Logistics Career Exploration Tool: These jobs are in demand and growing fast. The Tri-Valley Career Center and Chabot-Las Positas Community College District are excited to partner with Prologis and JFF to offer skills training to help you succeed.
- Enhance your skills and prepare for an exciting career in one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s global economy
- Build interpersonal skills employers value - communication, decision-making, collaboration, and self-awareness
TriValley Career Center: A comprehensive employment resource center serving individual job seekers and regional businesses in the East Bay communities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and Sunol in Alameda County
Disney Careers: Disneyland and Walt Disney career programs
Peace Corps: Information on volunteer work and locations with the Peace Corps
Year Up: Full-time job training in Business Operations, Financial Operations, IT, Software Development, and Sales & Customer Support
Financial Literacy Websites
Grown-up Stuff Explained 75 Topics 18 Year-olds Should Know (free financial and life skills book) (available for purchase on Amazon and with permission from the author, Witty Ryter)
Personal finance | Life skills | Khan Academy
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas: Building Wealth