Why it Matters

Your future happiness may depend on job satisfaction. Without a plan:

• You may waste a lot of time in unsatisfying jobs. Take some time now to learn what your interests are so you can stay on track and make good choices for your life, your education, and your work.
• You won’t know the types of jobs that pay what you need to live the way you like. Learn about how much it takes to live.
• You might ignore important skills sets. The world of work is changing quickly, with increasing technology. Those with the right skills will be in demand, and often have more job security.
• You might have a hard time getting on the right track. It’s tough to return to school as an older adult. There is much to consider when deciding to go back to school, especially when you have many other commitments and expenses.

Benefits of Early Planning

Career planning doesn’t have to include a traditional four-year degree, but training beyond high school will be a necessity for future workers. School counselors and your parents can help guide and support you with your career plan. Other reasons to plan early are:

• You will be able to take advantage of career planning activities offered by your school as early as in middle school. It’s never too early to start career planning.
• High school and middle schools offer the chance to join clubs related to your interests that may help steer you towards a career you would like. Volunteering, job shadowing, and part-time work opportunities related to your interests will also let you see what a day on the job might be like before making career decisions.
• School is expensive. You may save on the cost by taking courses while still in high school within your career pathway that may transfer, so you can get through school and into the workforce faster.
• Opportunities to make more money are greater with a career plan that includes training beyond high school.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Make career planning a priority in your life. Explore careers and plan your education today. 

Find a Job…this Summer

Although the current job market is tough for teens, many specialty employment programs exist to ensure that young people are able to get some work experience before graduating from high school. Many programs have a specific work-focus, and the availability of programs varies from region to region.

Here is a sampling of youth employment programs and services available in the Twin Cities:

• EMERGE StreetWerks: summer employment program and youth services in Minneapolis
• Minnesota Conservation Corps: statewide opportunities in environmental services
• STEP-UP Achieve: paid internships for low-income students in Minneapolis
• Tree Trust Youth Summer Employment Program: paid work in a variety of positions in Washington, Dakota, and suburban Hennepin counties.                              
• Urban Garden Youth Employment: entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities in the Twin Cities Metro
• Youth Express: community-based, youth non-profit offering “first jobs” for teens in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul
• YouthJobCorps: paid internships for low-income students in St. Paul
• YouthLead: employment services for underserved youth in Ramsey County
• Youth Farm & Market Project: personal development and farming program in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Don’t live in the Twin Cities? Don’t worry! Check out these local youth employment program contacts listed with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Also, check out the state’s no-fee job bank, MinnesotaWorks.net. (Here are some tips on how to search the site for an internship or summer job.) And try the U.S. Department of Labor’s Summer Jobs+ website, too.

Find a Job…for the Future

Since summer employment is often a teen’s first experience with work, it can be the first step in exploring careers. You might be interested in learning about the work activities, wages, and educational requirements of jobs, so you can them make informed choices about part-time work or longer-term career possibilities. ISEEK, Minnesota’s career exploration website, has information and resources for more than 500 careers and additional tools to help you create education and career plans and find jobs. 

It’s also not too early to start planning for your career! Read why it’s important and how to start the career exploration process.

1. Smile - It sounds like common sense, but so many people forget the importance of a good old-fashioned smile. Making eye contact, flashing those pearly whites and a cheery “Good Morning” can go a long way! People are more likely to trust those with a positive demeanor, not to mention you seem much more approachable. So keep smiling and you will be blown away by the response you get.
2. Ask Questions - It can be intimidating to jump into a conversation and have an opinion right away, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Not only does it make people think that you are genuinely interested in the conversation, but you can get a lot of information that can help you decide who will be the most beneficial people to add to your list of contacts.
3. Use Names - While talking to people, use their name. It makes your conversation more personal and it shows the person you are speaking to that you remember who they are and that your conversation was important to you. People love the sound of their own name, so if nothing else, it will help you win over people who might otherwise not have been too interested in what you had to say.
4. Bring business cards - This is another common sense networking piece of advice, but definitely worth mentioning. Business cards are the most efficient way to exchange information, and make it easier to get in contact afterwards. (Don’t have a business card? Don’t worry. Think about creating your own.)
5. Follow up! - This is crucial in creating long-lasting business relationships. This shows that you are trustworthy, organized, and value the time that you spent talking with the other person. If you say that you will send them a referral of someone that might help them, make sure you actually DO IT! This creates another level in your relationship, and they will be more likely to help you if you ever need a favor.

Remember, every person you meet is potentially a valuable contact. Even though they may not be a direct connection for you, they may be able to refer you to someone who is! 

Now that you know how to network, here are some resources to find a summer job. 

(This article was originally posted on Eagan Patch on April 19, 2012.)

Megan Towle is an intern with the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Here is a list of common steps (and resources) for you to explore:

1. Create a job search goal. This includes writing down things you know you like to do and jobs that interest you. You might want to research some jobs using online resources, like ISEEK. Finally, select a job that interests you the most, and write a job goal that fits you and that job. Example: Get a job in sales and think about going to school to get more sales skills.
2. Networking is an important piece in a job search plan. It involves talking with anyone who could help you learn about or find a job. Network contacts can include teachers, counselors, friends, family, or coaches.
3. You are ready to apply for jobs once you’ve got a goal and identified some job openings. Every employer will have different requirements, so pay close attention to the employer's instructions for how to apply. This might include filling out a job application, creating a resume, or providing a letter of reference. Remember, showing the employer you’ll be a good fit for the job is the ultimate goal.
4. Interviews are an important step in a job search. Employers interview candidates to find a good fit for their business, and there are many types of interviews: by phone or in-person; with a group of two or more candidates; or, a panel interview with more than one person from the company. It’s important to prepare for an interview by practicing your answers to common interview questions. Don’t forget to follow-up with the employer after the interview.
5. Once you land the job, remember that there are steps to success in the workplace, including following the rules at work, dressing appropriately, and acting professionally. 

This may be your first job, but it likely won’t be your last. Take the opportunity to improve you skills and develop new ones.

Take it From Me

I had many summer jobs in my teenage years. I worked as a clerk in a screen print shop; a server in a fast food restaurant; I sold admission tickets at a museum. But my favorite job was as a tour guide aboard the William A. Irvin Ore Boat in Duluth, where I grew up. I sometimes joke that it was not an illustrious job; I did a lot of walking and talking every day – in any kind of weather –  and I didn’t get paid very much. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that this job taught me more about communication and customer service skills than any class or job I’ve had since! This job is still listed on my resume today.

A summer job is just the first step in your career path. 

Networking is listed as one step to finding a summer job. Learn more about the basics of networking here.

Teens may be less likely to have summer jobs because they are more focused on academics, participate in summer school or sports, or spend more time volunteering than in the past. The main reason for the decline in teen employment is the fact that our economy is still recovering from the Great Recession. Because there are now more adults looking for work and fewer total jobs available, teens are faced with more competition for those short-term summer opportunities.

Thinking About Where to Work

We learned in an article last week that many Minnesota teens and young adults work in the accommodation and food service or retail trade industries, holding jobs like housekeepers, fast food workers, waiters and waitresses, retail salespersons, and cashiers. Teens typically earned about $650 per month from their summer jobs. There were higher monthly earnings in manufacturing and construction, but fewer Minnesota teens work in those industries.

According to a study done by the Journal of Business & Psychology, the highest-quality teen jobs were office or clerical positions, such as administrative assistants, secretaries, file clerks, or general office clerks. These positions were ranked the highest because teens reported low levels of job stress, good interactions with older co-workers and supervisors, little interference with school and family roles, and opportunities to explore careers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, jobs in the fast food sector had the lowest job quality, as teens in those positions cited the highest amount of job stress and interference with education, family, and social life.

If you’re a teen considering summer employment, be sure to think about the factors listed above. Parents can also guide their teens by helping with time management skills, monitoring work hours, and helping identify jobs that will guide them in career exploration. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (pdf) that on average, Americans hold 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 44, most of which are held between the ages of 18 and 27.These jobs are valuable in helping young adults establish their career paths and making decisions regarding post-secondary education.

Wherever teens choose to work in Minnesota, it will be a competitive market this summer.

Get ready for a summer job with these job search tips for teens!

The chart below shows the percentage of Minnesotans age 21 and under employed by industry. In accommodation and food services, nearly 29 percent of all workers were under 21 years of age. In retail trade, that share was nearly 19 percent.  

For many teenagers and young adults, these industries provide a good first job opportunity –perhaps as a cashier, food preparation and serving worker, retail salesperson, front desk clerk, or dishwasher – that helps them gain valuable workplace skills, like customer service, problem-solving and teamwork. These are in-demand skills that can make you more marketable throughout your life.

Part-time and summer jobs are a great way for teens to enter the job market for the first time.

If you are a teen or student looking for a job, or a parent helping your teen find a job, stay tuned to iSpeak every day next week to help you prepare yourself for the summer job market, learn how to network, find a youth summer employment program, and research future careers.

Lance Benson, a Bemidji-based musician, says it’s pretty hard to make a living at music without a backup plan. Benson honed his musical talents for over 19 years. He has four CDs, iTunes sales, and put thousands of miles on his vehicles to pursue a career in folk music. But, he says, it’s all about blending passions. In addition to being a musician, he is a low-voltage installation specialist for home security and entertainment systems. This career path required a specialized degree and is what really pays the bills. 

“It’s nice to have the fall back and not worry about the money,” he says. The steady income allows him to buy equipment to support his music career, which is something that full-time touring couldn’t do for him. 

Successful musicians need a variety of business, writing, and money management skills beyond their musical talents. Scheduling and promoting your music requires well developed communication skills. Managing your costs also requires regular accounting and math skills. Getting paid from a gig and paying the support crew or band at the end of the night requires unique interpersonal skills. On-the-job training might simply be feedback from an audience or other musicians. The musician’s learning curve can be a bumpy road.

Owen Weaver is completing a Ph.D. in percussion at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, and is originally from Bemidji. Playing in punk rock bands to solo artistic performances, he sees bands and musicians come and go. His recommendation is to “diversify your prospects, be able to perform, market yourself and others, and handle the business end of your own career.” Weaver says the prospect of landing the perfect orchestral or music administration job is rare.  

The reward for Benson, Weaver, and other musicians is being creative and working with other creative people. For musicians, music is more than a hobby – it’s a way of connecting people through rhythm, melody, emotion, and performance. Music shapes our individual identity in so many ways. Musicians and artists alike bring our society great color and variety to everyday life. Just don’t forget to turn in your college application. Oh, and show up for work on time! 

Many colleges and universities award credit for prior military training, national exams, and professional training. These trainings and exams have been evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education, a national organization representing post-secondary institutions. College courses you’ve already completed at another institution might also transfer for credit.

The Prior Learning Assessment collects and organizes information about your previous experience and creates an “assessment of prior learning.” The tool prepares a report that you can print and bring to an advisor or admissions staff member at a post-secondary institution. This report can help the college assess your prior learning for possible college credit. Each college has its own forms, requirements, and procedures for applying, so you should ask how it works at the institution and program you are interested in pursuing. The only entity authorized to formally award such credit is the institution and/or program.

Here are some examples of previous experience that might translate into prior learning:

• Official military training – The Prior Learning Assessment has a comprehensive list of trainings offered in all branches of the U.S. military going back several decades. The tool presents recommendations for college credits that may be awarded to a Servicemember who took that training.
• National exams – Many colleges and universities accept national exams to meet college course requirements. The Prior Learning Assessment offers a comprehensive list of nationally-recognized exams and provides recommendations of college credit for them.
• Professional training – Many large national employers and professional associations provide training for which you might get credit. The Prior Learning Assessment offers a comprehensive list of these and provides recommendation of college credit for such training.

Finally, you may also want to prepare a portfolio as part of the Prior Learning Assessment process by writing about your learning or demonstrating it in some other way. Your work can be evaluated by a college faculty member for potential college credit. The Counsel on Adult and Experiential Learning provides online tools that can help you prepare a portfolio. 

Jamie Buss is the Industry Projects Coordinator for iSeek Solutions.

After the “dot com” bubble in the late 1990s, hiring for IT professionals has fluctuated along with the state of the economy. Job vacancies in computer and math-related occupations, as tracked by Minnesota’s Labor Market Information Office, identified 2,330 job openings during the fourth quarter of 2011, a 44 percent growth in the number of openings compared to one year ago. Survey findings also show strong demand for some IT professionals in Minnesota. Computer systems analysts and software developers displayed the largest numbers of job openings.

Demand is not limited to just the short term. Statewide employment projections through 2019 show strong growth in computer-related occupations. In fact, some of the fastest growing occupations in Minnesota between 2009 and 2019 will be computer-related. While growth is projected to be strong, the education and skills needed for this future workforce may change as technology continues to advance, particularly as it relates to new applications. 

To keep up-to-date with changing trends, Minnesota IT Workforce Commons is a new resource for educators, employers, and individuals in or preparing for careers in information technology. Check out informative articles for IT professionals, a list of professional IT organizations and social media communities, or join the conversation.

The same week of that interview, the Star Tribune reported on the widening skills gap. That article cited that 72 percent of interviewed human resource professionals expressed concern over the pending retirement of the baby boomer generation.

So, what innovations and strategies are professionals implementing to conquer this growing problem in the facilities maintenance field?

Starting Young

Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs released survey results (pdf) which concluded that, “The United States has become a nation of ‘non-tinkerers,’ … and manufacturing leaders say the ‘hands-off’ policy around the house is a leading cause of disinterest among American youth to fill much-needed, future skilled labor jobs in the industrial arena.” Specialized camps can help youth discover new interests, and learn valuable skills that could lead to more skilled labor career choices.

Encouraging the nation’s youth, from an early age, to become interested in hands-on roles is crucial to filling these empty positions as baby boomers leave the workforce. Camps and technical classes can be the driving force behind some future career choices.

Battling Stigmas

People also have the perception that skilled labor roles are primarily reserved for men, and that they’re underpaid and dirty.

“People have a misconception that these roles are dull, dumb, and dreadful–involving mops, buckets, and posterior cleavage,” Leonard says. “People don’t realize the technicalities, compensation opportunities, the innovativeness of computerized maintenance management systems software, and the job security that comes with these roles.”

With the current maintenance workforce consisting of just 5 percent females, Amy Earl, VP of Antech Systems, says, “Women assume they know nothing about welding, for example. But, in virtual reality scenarios, women regularly outperform men. It’s their steady hand, attention to detail, fine-tuned, delicate finesse. We need to turn the stigma for maintenance and manufacturing around.”

Leonard, along with Antech Systems, co-developed the Occupy a Job application that helps people – students and unemployed adults assess their career skills. Ultimately their message is to “close the skills gap and Occupy American jobs.”

With innovative solutions, it seems there’s a good chance of overcoming the maintenance crisis — and that begins with creating an interest outside of the baby boomers, beginning with children and providing new training platforms for unemployed adults seeking new employment fields.

Ashley Halligan (ashley@softwareadvice.com) is a facility management market analyst at Software Advice, a Web-based advisory firm in Austin, Texas.