Imagine Your Future: Higher Education and Careers
Did you know that a college graduate has eight times the chance of getting a good job than a high school dropout? Your education is the ticket to your future: The more knowledge and skills you gain, the greater your opportunities. To learn more about careers and their educational requirements, use the direct links on The Times Launch Point Web site, https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint
Here are the best sites for getting your schoolwork done or for just having fun.
Level 1
What Is Your Favorite Subject?: If you enjoy P.E. and the outdoors, you might enjoy becoming a professional athlete, carpenter or even a zookeeper. Whether your favorite subject in school is music, math or reading, find out how your favorite activities can give you clues to what you can be and do when you grow up.
https://stats.bls.gov/k12/html/edu_over.htm
When I Grow Up: When you grow up, would you want to fight fires, fly a plane, or even walk on the moon? Read this online illustrated book for some exciting possibilities.
https://amtexpo.com/babbooks/grow/index.html
The Future Is Yours! Chemist Arlene Garrison decided what she wanted to become early in life when she saw the U.S. send up its first space rockets. Try some fun experiments as you learn more about careers in chemistry, geology and physics.
https://www.utenn.edu/uwa/vpps/ur/ut2kids/scientists/girlsintro.html
Level 2
Career Trail: A Student Guide to Jobs, Resumes and Vocational Interests: Take an online journey in which you’re equipped with a horse representing your goals and dreams, a wagon symbolizing your skills, and a trail that is your route for accomplishing your goals. Learn more about yourself and make plans for your future as you explore various careers.
https://hyperion.advanced.org/11720/TOWN/career.htm
What Do They Do? Did you know that a paleontologist looks at fossils of animals and plants to learn what the the earth was like millions of years ago? Learn about 22 careers ranging from architect to veterinarian.
https://www.webquarry.com/~lgfd
New Directions: Career Discovery: Try some exercises that will help you not only identify your dreams but also discover your interests so you can choose a career that’s right for you.
https://www.bcit.tec.nj.us/kidcareer/one_fm.html
Level 3
College Board Online: This comprehensive site explains the college application process from beginning to end: from what high school classes you should take to how to choose a college and how to cut costs. Register online for the SAT and try out helpful resources like the online essay evaluation and daily SAT question.
https://www.Collegeboard.org
Kids and Jobs: Career Center for Teens: What are employment trends for the year 2010? What should you consider when choosing a first job? Find out through these extensive resources that help you investigate “cool careers” and plan a meaningful life of work.
https://www.pbs.org/jobs/teenindex.html
Financial Aid--The Student Guide from the U.S. Department of Education: Survive college expenses with this guide that explains the government’s major financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans. Find out how you can apply for financial aid online.
https://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/1998-9/index.html
EXPLORER’S QUEST
The answer to this Internet quiz can be found in the sites at right.
How is a “new century” job different from a traditional job?
Clue: See Kids and Jobs: Career Center for Teens
Find What You Need to Know: Have a project on California history? Need help doing a math problem? Launch Point now covers more than 50 topics for getting your schoolwork done. Go to https://www.latimes.com/launchpoint for the full list of subjects and direct links to the best Internet sites.
Answer to last week’s Quest: A “live” oak got the name from its year-round leaves, which give the tree its look of being ever alive.
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Launch Point is produced by the UC Irvine department of education, which reviews each site for appropriateness and quality. Even so, parents should supervise their children’s use of the Internet. This column was designed by Anitra Jamron, Cindy Hong , Karen Chavez, Shoko Okado, Carlos Hernandez, Jasmin Chen and Anna Manring.