By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Text in italics should be read aloud to participants. As you engage your post in activities each week, please include comments, discussions, and feedback to the group relating to Character, Leadership, and Ethics. These are important attributes that make a difference in the success of youth in the workplace and in life.
Tell Explorers: Employment is expected to increase but will not be evenly distributed across all occupational groups. Changes in consumer demand, technology, and other factors will contribute to the change.
Note for Explorers that many of the occupations on the Highest Anticipated Job Growth activity sheet are related to health care. Say: Health care is experiencing rapid growth, due in large part to the aging of baby boomers and Generation X. As health care costs continue to rise, work is increasingly being delegated to lower-paid workers in order to cut costs. Tasks that were previously performed by doctors, nurses, dentists, or other health care professionals are increasingly being performed by physician assistants, medical assistants, dental hygienists, and physical therapist aides.
Emphasize that post-secondary education continues to be a priority. Of the 16 fastest growing occupations, 14 require an associate degree or higher.
Pass out the Highest Anticipated Job Growth activity sheet. Explain that this activity sheet will give participants an idea of jobs projected to have rapid growth in the next decade. Ask the youth to read the chart and share with the group one or two jobs they are interested in learning more about.
Say: Now that you’ve selected one or two jobs you’d like to find out more about, let’s do a little preliminary research. Have youth use their digital devices to do a quick search on the educational requirements for those jobs. Then have them do a quick search to see what they can find about out about those jobs. Say: Find three things about that type of job, both things that might appeal to you and things that don’t appeal to you. Then have them share that with the rest of the group.
Distribute the Monthly Budget activity sheet. Ask participants to complete the sheet to the best of their ability. Then have them compare their monthly expenses to their anticipated monthly income and determine if their selected job can support the lifestyle they want.
Some sample questions are below. They are designed to help the participants apply what they have learned to their own interests. You are welcome to use these questions or develop your own questions that relate to your post or specific focus area.