Careers
Career Overview
Your counselor has an abundance of information on career planning and can help guide you to hone in on your interests and skills, explore different career options, and develop a plan to move in the direction of your career goals. As part of their developmental counseling curriculum, the counseling staff will provide several career exploration units to students throughout their high school career. Additionally, students are always encouraged to stop in the Counseling Office to make an appointment with their counselor to discuss career options. It is also encouraged that students shadow professionals in their field of interest to gain real world insight into the career field. See your counselor for help with this job shadow process. Below is a direct link to a helpful one page document that summarizes and provides direct links to what's listed below. http://bit.ly/2JnBYwr
Schoolinks
This online tool is used by your Counselor in conjunction with college and career exploration units throughout high school. Seniors also utilize it with college applications, sending transcripts and other post-secondary plans. Schoolinks' web based career guidance program provides assessments and curriculum which will guide you toward making informed decisions as you plan your education and career. In essence, Schoolinks is a comprehensive college and career readiness resource that assists students in recognizing their strengths and interests in relation to postsecondary goals. It also improves student outcomes and connects learning to life.
Students of all grade levels are encouraged to utilize this tool. You can click on the link below, students sign in through their school Google log in:
https://app.schoolinks.com/login/k12
Technology Center of DuPage
TCD offers DuPage County area high school juniors and seniors 20 career and technical education programs (CTE) as part of their high school curriculum. In essence, it provides the elective options for junior and / or senior year. Enrollment is competitive and interested students should inform their counselor of their desire to attend TCD during their course selection appointment. Any student that wishes to enroll at TCD must attend the "preview day" field trip or attend one of TCD's open houses. More information can be found at the link below!
College of DuPage's Career Coach
Career Coach is designed to help you find a good career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training! Four sections include; searching careers, entering degree / major, starting from scratch, and seeing the hot jobs. There are also links for more career assessments and a resume builder. Give it a try here: https://cod.emsicc.com/
Career Tech
This is a very comprehensive website that focuses on career clusters and pathways, including an extensive list of career options. Check it out at the link below:
https://www.careertech.org/career-clusters
Career Vision
Start Early, Start SMART Career Readiness Program. Career Vision is a not for profit, subsidized Ball Foundation entity whose mission is to study aptitudes and to use that information to help people discover and develop their potential. They are located in the neighboring community of Glen Ellyn.
Stem Jobs
This website categorizes by skills and not by careers. This helps with the understanding of transferable skills in relation to a variety of fields. Check it out at the link below:
Certificate Programs at COD
Are you interested in a 6 month to 2 year certificate program at College of DuPage? College of DuPage has over 50 certificate programs where you can start working in the real world upon completion. Job assistance is available and student loan debt is low or non-existent. These programs enable you to go directly into what you're passionate about and you can often bypass the typical general education classes that are required of an associates degree. Click below for more information https://www.cod.edu/academics/programs/career_technical_programs.aspx
Apprenticeship Programs
Are you interested in getting into a new or different career, but not sure that the traditional classroom setting is right for you? An apprenticeship might be a great alternative path to your perfect career. You can get a paid mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning. Click on the links below for more information: https://www.illinoisworknet.com/apprenticeshipil/Pages/default.aspx http://www.jane-addams.org/
Union / Trade Careers
Check out the great interactive link below to learn more about the skilled trades and if they are a good match for your future plans!
https://sites.google.com/d94.org/tradesapprenticeships/home
Are you interested in becoming a skilled union laborer in one of many different trades (i.e. construction, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)? CISCO (Construction Industry Service Corporation) is a direct link to the various trade areas in the Chicagoland area. They focus on education to careers and is a great resource for those interested in a career in the trades!
Click on the links below for more information http://www.cisco.org/ http://www.chicagolaborers.org/apprentice-program http://www.plumberslu130ua.org/apprenticeship http://www.chicap.org
Employment / Training Services
Are you interested in working directly out of high school? Work Net DuPage is a local agency that assists DuPage County residents with job training and job placement services. They are located in the neighboring community of Lisle. Click below for more information http://www.worknetdupage.org
Useful Career Exploration Websites
Military Jobs
This site provides links to military websites.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
This website provides job descriptions, in addition to detailing the following: earnings, training and education needed, working conditions, skills required, advancement opportunities, projected growth, related jobs, and sources of additional information, including websites.
U.S. Department of Labor
This site includes future outlook, salary and job lead information for many careers. It includes many useful links to other career and education websites.
