Chapter 1 - Surviving The Next Few Years
Chapter 2 - Thinking About Jobs And Careers
Chapter 3 - Serving Your Country
Chapter 4 - Skills Training Opportunities
Chapter 5 - Green Jobs
Chapter 6 - College: You Can Do It!
Chapter 7 - So You Think You Might Want To Join The Military?
Surviving the Next Few Years
You’re out or almost out of high school. You’re not sure what’s next, but you know you’re in for some changes—a temporary job, different school, even taking a year or two to explore. You may even be thinking about the military. Whatever you’re thinking about doing, each choice means a choice NOT to do something else. So it’s a good idea to get a big picture of the options you have. This section has some pieces on what it feels like to make a change, what you might consider doing in a year off, and how you can start thinking “out of the box.” For starters, make the Internet your friend. They don’t call it the “worldwide web” for nothing—it is literally your access to millions of ideas and options. We’ve got some tips on how to find one near you. Some of your plans may include finding your own place to live, so we’ve included a Basic Training Guide for finding shelter, meals, and transportation. It’s the start of your life... Go for it!
Click here to download Chapter 1 - Surviving The Next Few Years.
Thinking About Jobs And Careers
Do you ever fantasize about what you’ll be doing to support yourself when you’re older? Or does it just give you a headache to think that far ahead? Are you worried that your next decision has to be the “right one” for the rest of your life? What makes you tick? What do you really like to do?
Here are some ideas to take the mystery out of thinking about your future!
Click here to download Chapter 2 - Thinking About Jobs And Careers.
Serving Your Country
Do you see yourself being a hero for your country? If so, there are many ways you can serve your country and be a hero. There are numerous organizations waiting for you to serve, rebuilding our country in the wake of multiple environmental disasters that are a result of major changes in our climate and national policies. AmeriCorps, for example, is one organization that provides an opportunity for you to serve. AmeriCorps joins with local, state, and federal relief and recovery efforts to provide emergency assistance and long-term relief. Go to www.americorps.org.
If you want to have the experience of living with a cadre of young people who are also looking to do something for their country, Ameri-Corps* NCCC (National Civilian Conservation Corp) may be a good choice for you. Participants live dormitory style and are deployed to areas of the country where work is needed on projects that help communities.
For the more independent minded, AmeriCorps* Habitat sends team members to live in communities to build housing. AmeriCorps* Habitat helps them find housing while they build. It’s best to talk with an actual member about any of the AmeriCorps options, so we’ve provided a phone number for you below.
Careers that promote peace and justice are numerous, too; we’ve listed some for you to think about.
And of course, being a hero is possible throughout your career if you choose to work in any of 80 different types of health care jobs that play a role in preventing and treating illness.
Click here to download Chapter 3 - Serving Your Country.
Skills Training Opportunities
There are many ways to get skills training— from programs you can pursue in your own community, those requiring you to re-locate temporarily in school faciilties, to those requiring more independent re-locations.
You can also be at home and “earn while you learn” in an apprenticeship program. Some programs require a hefty commitment to several years in school for at least a while. Others require less time in school but promise fairly high wages after program completion.
Many skills programs are offered in the NC community college system across the state. Check out the NC Community College website for more information. Remember that each community college DOES NOT offer the same skill training. That means that even though the local community college may not offer skill training you are interested in, another community college in another part of the state may have just what you want.
Click here to download Chapter 4 - Skills Training Opportunity.
Green Jobs
So what is a Green Job? It's not just working in organic gardens, although that is one avenue many young people are taking to learn about organic and small farm agriculture. Green Jobs can be anything from being a bus driver, conducting energy audits, installing solar panels, or assembling wind turbines.
If you prefer to be outdoors in nature, or care about what happens to the environment and want to be part of the solution, a “Green Job” may be for you.
There are many, many websites listing internships that are related to the environment. Sometimes these require a college education or science skills; others do not. But internships - paid or not - are a great way to get your feet wet (sometimes literally!) and find out if are a "green Job" candidate. For outdoors lovers, it’s a great mix of serving your country while breathing in fresh air!
Seek out Green Businesses which are involved in producing or selling many products that support the environment - they may be interested in taking on an intern. Green building supply stores, health food businesses, organic farms, or green manufacturers are just some of the places you might want to contact for an internship. More and more businesses are recognizing the importance of selling or producing goods that are environmentally sustainable.We’ve included several ideas in this section.
Click here to download Chapter 5 - Green Jobs.
College: You Can Do It!
Being a college or university student is hard, but it’s also fun and exciting. It’s a time in life where you can concentrate fully on learning what you enjoy and on what will help you find a well-paid and meaningful career.
There myths about getting into college and paying for it, however. So before you let the myths scare or discourage you, check out the articles in this section on the real story about getting in and paying for an education.
Just so you know, we’ve also included a table to show how college education, jobs, and salaries are related.
Click here to download Chapter 6 - College: You Can Do It!
So You Think You Might Want To Join The Military?
Joining the military is a serious decision. As with any contract, be sure you know what you’re getting into. The military is under a lot of pressure to recruit, and sometimes recruiters may not give you all the facts. See next section “Truth and Myth about Joining the Military.”
We’ve also included a fact sheet on the results of military training and a list of questions you should ask yourself to help you decide if the military is the right choice for you. Remember: unlike jobs, internships, or college, joining the military can mean giving up your independence for many years.
If you decide to enlist, make sure you check out the advice of Sgt. Abe the Honest Recruiter (a document prepared by Quaker House) and read the fine print in the enlistment agreement before you sign on the dotted line! Your parents may also want to read Sergeant Abe’s “Letter to Parents". Or simply go to the Quaker House Website and explore.
Several organizations like the American Friends Service Committee, Center on Conscience and War, the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, Youth for Peace, and Project Yano provide information about questions to ask recruiters. Check out these websites for more information and links to other resources.
Click here to download Chapter 7 - So You Think You Might Want To Join The Military?
