Looking Forward

An Interest Project Award for Senior Girl Scouts

Written by Campus Girl Scouts

Careers

In some ways, it seems odd to have a careers section to this IP, since after all, your career is your future. This set of activities provides ways for you to explore the influence of education, educational paths, and interests on careers.

You must do one activity from this section.

1) Take a career and aptitude test. The US Military offers the VOCATS test in many high schools. Your guidance office should have information about this test and many others. The College Board Online, http://www.collegeboard.com/, has one available. What kinds of careers does the test point you towards? Is that what you expected? Further research your top three best matches and at least one other career option suggested by the test that interest you.

2) Spend several hours (half a day), if possible, shadowing three people at work whose jobs require them to have one of the following educational levels: Post-baccalaureate (MA, MS, MBA, Ph. D., MD); Bachelor’s degree (BA, BS); Associate’s Degree (AA, AS); Career Certificate or Degree; no post-secondary education. (You should shadow one person in each of three different educational categories.) Ask about her/ his educational and career paths, and how she/he uses her/his education on the job. When you’ve visited all three, compare and contrast your experiences and the experiences of your subjects. Discuss your findings with a parent/guardian, mentor, leader, or your troop/group.

3) Visit a job or college fair. Take a copy of your résumé with you (see From Dreams to Reality or the Senior Girl Scout Career Exploration Award). Talk to representatives there, and gather information about what interests you. Share your findings with your parents or guardians, a mentor, or other adult.

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