Today we're going to begin discussing personal finances.  Namely, ho

Career Zone Reality Check

Today we will continue thinking about the next step after high school.  Where will you live?  What type of lifestyle will you have?  What is your long term outlook?

1. Go to the California Career Zone Reality Check web site
2. Choose the living situation that works best for you and click "Next"
3. Select as many services as you will use and click "Next"
4. Choose your eating style and click "Next"
5. Choose your mode of transportation and click "Next"
6. Select your clothing allowance and click "Next"
7. Select your health care and click "Next"
8. Choose your entertainment style and click "Next"
9. Choose your "personal upkeep" style and click "Next"
10. Select as many miscellaneous items as you like and click "Next"
11. Choose the amount you would like to put into savings and click "Next"
12. Now you can click the "Find occupations that match this annual salary" button
13. Select the amount of education you plan to have
14. Select an "occupation cluster" that mosts interest you and click "Find Occupations"
15. See if any occupations meet your selections (you may have to click "Back" and change choices)

• Open a Microsoft Word document and add your name and period
• Copy your city, necessary salary, and career results and paste them to the Word document
• Write a paragraph discussing your careers and whether any of them match the careers from your previous two personality / interest surveys.

REMINDER: Tomorrow we will type up the results of the "Ask Someone Who's Been There" survey.

Signatures...

As we have discussed, signatures can play an important role in your professional life.  A sloppy signature, a "printed" signature, or a "crazy" signature can affect your job search, college application, or loan applications -- and if you don't have a consistent signature, your bank may not even allow you to write a check.

There are many sites out there wish suggestions for "better signatures" but really, a smooth, cursive, consistent signature works best.

A very famous signature appears no the U.S. Constitution.  It became so famous, in fact, that people will still tell you [over 200 years later] to "Put your 'John Hancock' right here on this line."

Another famous signature (Walt Disney) was the inspiration for the "Disney" font used throughout the Disney corporation.

 

President Obama has a distinctive signature because the first letters of his first and last name encircle part of each word -- and they are very prominent.

 Sometimes you can make your signature more personal by addition little flourishes, but be careful because some older, "stuffier" people will see it as unprofessional or immature.

 And while you can have a very flamboyant  signature with loops and curls, remember that you have to sign your name the same each time.  So don't over-complicate it.

 

Finally, don't over-simplify your signature either.  Occasionally you will have to sign in for something... or sign equipment out... and if they can't read your signature you may be in trouble.  This particular signature belongs to Eoin Colfer:

So for today, I want you to practice your signature.  Here is a sample "Cursive Letters" chart, but remember that you don't have to use these particular styles:

Use this "Professional Signature Practice Page" to work on a professional signature:

Click to Download Full Size

Teens Should Learn Personal Finance from Parents, Teachers

U.S. News & World Reports: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2012/01/23/teens-should-learn-personal-finance-from-parents-teachers

By Laura McMullen

January 23, 2012 RSS Feed Print

Most high school students don't spend their time fretting over mortgages, stock prices, or their 401(k) plans, but they are at an age when smaller financial responsibilities start creeping into their lives. Many teenagers earn allowances and begin working part-time jobs, so they need to make decisions about what to do with their money.

High school students "also begin to have a lot more of a social life," says Margaret Magnarelli, senior editor of Money magazine and author of the textbook Per$onal Finance. "They might have a car and access to shopping and restaurants. And if they don't have a car, they want a car."
Teenagers often have many desires, but they must figure out how to allot their money for the things they want, says Magnarelli, who believes the first step to their financial understanding should be taught by parents.

"When you're shopping, and your child says, 'I want X item,' you can put that item into context," says Magnarelli. "Ask, 'what would it take for you to save up to buy that? How many hours of your part-time job would it take to achieve that?"
[This high school-college hybrid grooms students for jobs.]

Parents can also help their kids understand financial responsibilities by being transparent with their own money decisions, says Magnarelli. For instance, she says parents can say, "We are not able to go to Spain for vacation this year, because if we did you couldn't go to basketball camp. So we're going to the New Jersey shore instead."

Other ways parents can teach financial responsibility include helping their kids set up a bank account and playing online stock market games, says Magnarelli.

Teachers can also play a huge part in preparing students to make financial decisions, says Magnarelli, even if the school doesn't offer a personal finance course.
[Learn how some states push to teach personal finance in school.]

"It's a practical skill that fits nicely into a lot of [curricula]," she says. "These kinds of lessons can be incorporated into other topics easily and smoothly."

Magnarelli explains that a math teacher could show compound interest, or an economics teacher can talk about finance on a micro level. One of the teachers who reviewed the Per$onal Finance book brought newspaper clippings into class and discussed personal finance that way, she says. He would show an article about a car accident, for example, and ask how an incident like that would affect the students' money decisions.

Financial lessons taught by both parents and teachers will go a long way in helping high school students in the future, says Magnarelli.

At this age, she says, "There are a lot of responsibilities that are building into what's going to be a bigger responsibility as they graduate from high school—whether they're going into college or whether they're going off into the working world."

After high school, Magnarelli says, students will have to think about how much money they make, how much of that income goes toward taxes, and how the rest of the paycheck will cover rent, food, entertainment, and other expenditures.

"They're probably not conscious of that yet—of the financial commitments that are coming up—but that's why it's important to be teaching them these skills about managing the money that they have now."

Homework: Interview Someone Who Has Been There

About this project:

I think it’s important for high school juniors and seniors who are getting ready to start out on their own [whether it’s at college or in a job or both] to begin thinking about money and credit.  I also feel that it’s important to ask people who have really “been there.”  As an adult, if I want to know who has the best cell phone plans or the cheapest texting, I ask a teenager.  If I want to know the best new video games, I ask a teenager.  I do that because they have the experience to help me make a smart decision.  As a teenager, you should seriously consider who has the most experience getting out on their own, getting credit, saving money, being successful, getting in financial trouble, etc. 

That’s why for this project I want you to interview “those who have been there.”  You will choose people whose opinions you respect, and ask them a series of questions.  You will use the answers to these questions to write about what you have learned.

Instructions:

        

You will choose four people (men or women from different age groups) and interview them.

• Take notes as they answer the questions – especially on things for which they offer advice.
• Try to ask follow-up questions if you want to know more about a certain subject.
• After each interview, summarize your experience (what was interesting, what were their reactions to the questions, what was surprising, etc.) in a paragraph.
• Next week we will begin typing our results in an essay and posting them to our blog.

LEARN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE

#1: A person between ages 18‐23 who has been on his own for over two years:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#2: A person between ages 24‐30 who has a family:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out on your own?
• Now that you have a family, have your spending patterns changed?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#3: A person between ages 35‐60:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• How have your spending patterns changed since you were 35 years old?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• If you have a family, have your spending patterns changed?
• How do you feel about using credit?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

#4: A person older than 65:

• What kind of things did you buy before you started out on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change when you were really on your own?
• How did your spending patterns change during your child rearing years?
• How have your spending patterns changed since you were 60 years old?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out?
• Did you use credit during your younger years?
• What were your parents/caretakers attitudes about borrowing money and being in debt?
• What do you wish you had known about spending or saving money when you started out on your own?
• What would you have done differently with your spending patterns if you started over again?
• What advice can you offer a person starting out?

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(I will get you a copy of these questions so you don't have to copy/print)

Dreams of Flying

Today we're watching a movie called "Dreams of Flying."  It's a cheesy, 90's movie about careers, college, family expectations and peer pressure.  While some of the acting is horrible, it makes a valid point about who is really "flying your plane."

Open Microsoft Word and put your name and title ("Dreams of Flying") on the top.

Before we watch the movie, spend 5 or 6 minutes answering these questions:

1. Are there any careers that should only be performed by a man or woman?
2. Do you have any family pressure to pick a certain career -- or to avoid a career?
3. Do you have pressure from friends about your life choices -- or future goals?

After we watch the movie, answer these questions:

1. Summarize the movie and give me some feedback about whether or not it's applicable to high school students today.

Thinking about who you are...

We have taken personality surveys and interest assessments already, but it still helps to consider who you are and what you believe.  Thinking about HOW you think and WHY you believe what you believe.  This is "metacognition".  It's an important part of knowing what you want to do with your life.

Open Microsoft Word and create a bulleted list for each of the following sections.  Come up with SEVERAL items for each section:

• Passions: A passion is something you feel very strongly about, something for which you have boundless enthusiasm.  You might be passionate about music, sports, art, horses, anime, or cooking.  Think about times when you've been working on something (playing a game, doing art, shooting hoops, etc.) and you suddenly realized you had been doing it for hours.  The happiest people are often those who find a way to incorporate their passions into their career.  These are the people you'll hear say things like, "I can't believe they pay me to do this."  
• Values: Your values are those qualities or things that are most important in your life.  Some people value family or security, while others place more importance on adventure or power.  You might value beauty, knowledge, social justice, or independence.  Your career and life choices should be compatible with your values if they are to bring true satisfaction.
• Personality Traits and Strengths: Are you tactful?  Bold?  Sociable?  Quiet?  Thoughtful?  Energetic?  Funny?  Sympathetic?  Inquisitive?  Reserved?  Dramatic?  Intelligent?  List as many traits as you can.
• Skills and Aptitudes: What skills have you learned?  What comes easily for you?  Do you have a special talent for anything in particular?  Are you good at working with your hands?  Solving problems?  Working with people?
• Roles: Your roles are the different parts you play in your life.  Most of these are temporary, though some can go on for many years.  Right now you are probably a son or daughter, a student, and a friend.  You might also be an employee, a sister or brother, a girlfriend or boyfriend, and so on.
• Occupations and Vocations: Here I mean both work you do for pay (occupations) and recreational activities (vocations).  For example, you might be a grocery clerk, a babysitter, a flute player, cook, ballet dancer, skateboarder, or basketball player.

You will also receive a copy of the "Personality Target" (get one here).  We will be completing these targets by neatly listing our passions, values, etc. in the concentric circles of the chart.  

Job-Specific Personal Statement

I would like you to have at least one job-specific "Personal Statement" for your portfolio. Sometimes there will be a box on an application (see below) and sometimes a prospective employer will want one typed up. Many colleges also look for a "Personal Statement" written up as an essay discussing who you are, what your philosophy of education is, and what you plan to do with your life -- but we will do one of those a bit later.  For now, I want you to think of a specific job you might apply for once you leave high school.  If you can't think of a specific job (i.e. a janitorial worker at Sutter Lakeside Hospital... or a cashier at Wal Mart... or a waitress at Main Street Grill) and work from that.  You may come back to these later for answering the question on an application or if you are writing a letter for prospective employment.

Employment Applications

When you are applying for a job you can expect to fill out some sort of application.  In todays world many companies are moving to online applications which are submitted electronically, while some have online applications which you print out and submit in person.  Probably the majority of applications you will complete over the next few years will still be paper applications, but for the purpose of this project we will be completing an application online, saving it and printing it for submission (to the teacher).

Complete this application (LINK) and save it to your Thawspace.  If you are missing any information (dates, phone numbers, etc.) bring them tomorrow to complete the application.  Incomplete applications (or made up information) will not receive credit.  [Note: You do not have to include your Social Security Number for this project.]

Some examples of online "print and complete" applications [which you can use as practice applications] are listed below:

• Adobe
• Journeys
• State of Texas
• State of Maryland
• Cinemark Theaters
• Quint Careers
• Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
• Alaska Jobs
• State of Florida
• State of Montana
• Fiesta Grill
• Idaho (Generic Application)

I will be asking you to have a copy of a finished [complete] application in your portfolio.

Preparing for an Interview

Here's a good quick article on the best 5 things to say during an Interview:

5 Best Things to Say in an Interview

By Catherine Conlan
Monster Contributing Writer

The best things you can say in an interview won’t necessarily get you the job on their own, but they can certainly pave the way. Keep these five things in mind as you go through the interviewing process to give yourself the best chance at landing the job.

Ask Good Questions

According to Howard Pines, founder and CEO of BeamPines, “the best thing a candidate can do at an interview is ask good questions.”

Doing so shows that you are thoughtful and interested in understanding the company. There’s usually a chance to ask questions at the end of your interview, so be ready with questions that show you’re engaged in the process.

Pines suggests several questions, including:

• What are the biggest short- and long-term issues I would need to focus on in this position?
• What would I need to focus on differently than the previous person in this position?
• What organizational issues should I be aware of?

“I’m flexible.”

Whether it’s about possible job duties, a potential start date or simply timing for the second interview, stressing your flexibility makes you easy to get along with.

Hiring managers don’t like complications, and having to coordinate complicated schedules or haggle over a job description eventually just makes you look difficult. While you certainly don’t want to be a pushover -- and “flexible” shouldn’t define your salary negotiation -- show your potential employer that you’re interested in results that work for everyone.

The Company’s Own Words

Before your interview, become familiar with the company’s website and literature. Pay attention to the words used -- what’s important to the organization?

“In your interview, hit key words that appeared on the company website or brochure,” says Olivia Ford ofAdeptio. “These key words might include team, leadership, simplistic, culture or growth.”

Mixing these keywords into your answers can provide a subtle hint that you are plugged in to what the organization is looking for.

“That’s a Good Question.”

Use this phrase instead of blurting out “I don’t know” if the interviewer stumps you with a surprise question. It can give you a few moments to come up with an answer and, in the meantime, strokes the interviewer's ego a little bit too.

Avoid the “I don’t know” answer when possible, but of course don’t lie about your experience or training.

Reasons You Want the Job.

Knowing a job prospect’s motivations is important for managers who are hiring.

During your interview, talk about how this position fits into your future plans and the ideas you have about your career, how it fits with your values, and what you would like to learn from it. Talk about how you see yourself in relation to the company and what you believe you can bring to the position.

These kinds of thoughts show who you are as a person, and go a long way toward giving the hiring manager an idea about how you might fit in the company’s culture and values.

Next, what can you do to PREPARE yourself for an interview?

Assess your strengths and weaknesses 

You will need to spend some time assessing your own strengths and weaknesses. For each area of strength you should be able to demonstrate (provide examples) of how it was developed and utilized. As for your areas of weakness, you have to know what you are doing to improve in that area. It is advisable to list on a sheet of paper all your skills, abilities, accomplishments and weaknesses and be able to provide examples from your past experience as to how you developed, utilized or improved these qualities. Relating your areas of strength to the required qualifications is a key factor in gaining the interviewers attention.

Study the position available

Review your understanding about the type of work/position you will be interviewed for. If you are interviewing for a marketing position, be aware of the typical job duties/responsibilities for that position as well as the required qualification to perform the job tasks. If you are not clear about the nature of the position you will be interviewed for, make sure to use your network of contacts to help you develop a better understanding
of the job.

Research the company

Find out as much as possible about the employer. Learn about the company from its website, annual reports, brochures, and other similar sources. You should be able to know the company’s exact name, history, purpose, services/products, major competitors, approximate number of employees, where its branches are located and its future prospects.

Know the dress code

Did you know that approximately 60% of job applicants are screened out because their appearance does not fit the organizational image? You should dress like other employees in the organization. If you are well-groomed and neatly dressed, your appearance will inspire a basic confidence in your work habits.

Bring appropriate materials

Take along additional copies of your resume, a list of questions to ask about the organization and position, a portfolio (if applicable), a pen and a pad of paper on which you can make a few notes to yourself. Make sure to note on a piece of paper the name of the interviewer, company address, and telephone number in case of emergency.

Find interview location ahead of appointment 

Be sure to get specific directions for getting there. Repeat the directions and make sure they are correct. It is even better if you can make a “dry run” to determine the exact location prior to the meeting. You need to find out the approximate travel time to the interview location, check out the best route and parking locations. Make sure that you arrive 5-10 minutes before the interview.

Dress for Success:

Men

• Traditional business attire, i.e. navy blue or gray suit or sports coat and nice slacks, and a long sleeved pressed dress shirt.
• Ties should be silk and coordinate well with the suit. Avoid any flashy or “theme” ties such as ties with cartoon characters or seasonal events.
• Jewelry should be limited to one ring per hand a dress watch. No earrings, and of course, no visible body piercings!
• Cover any obvious tattoos.
• Shoes should be polished and leather dress shoes in black, dark burgundy or brown are best. Socks should match suit color.
• Hair neatly combed and clean. Facial hair well groomed as well.
• Avoid wearing too much cologne or after-shave.
• Well manicured nails.

Women

• Conservative business suit, dress or pants suit. Most appropriate colors are blue, gray, black or tan. Blouse color should be white or any complimentary colors.
• Jewelry should be modest with one ring per finger, earrings no longer than ½ inch and necklace, and no visible body piercings!
• Cover any obvious tattoos.
• Avoid excessively long fingernails. Your nail polish should be a subtle color and applied neatly.
• Shoes should have no more than 2-inch heels and should complement your outfit.
• Your hair should be well groomed and clean.
• Avoid wearing too much cologne, perfume, or make-up.It is very common to worry about something unfavorable occurring at the interview, but don’t allow yourself to worry too much. When you find yourself having negative thoughts, visualize yourself having a highly successful interview. This would be an interview where you are in control and performing your best. If you would like to further your relaxation try a deep breathing exercise such as inhaling through your nose for 4 slow seconds, holding your breath for 4 slow seconds and exhaling through the mouth for 8 long seconds. Try doing this three times before the interview. (but not in the interview itself).

The Art of Positive Thinking

It is very common to worry about something unfavorable occurring at the interview, but don’t allow yourself to worry too much. When you find yourself having negative thoughts, visualize yourself having a highly successful interview. This would be an interview where you are in control and performing your best. If you would like to further your relaxation try a deep breathing exercise such as inhaling through your nose for 4 slow seconds, holding your breath for 4 slow seconds and exhaling through the mouth for 8 long seconds. Try doing this three times before the interview. (but not in the interview itself).

Approaching the interview

In approaching the interview, keep in mind that you are really approaching a potential “customer”. Think of yourself as your own sales representative. You will be presenting the benefits of what services you have to offer. The decision to work for a particular company should be based on a mutual benefit to both parties.

Job Interview Strategies for Teens

Open a new Microsoft Word document:

Important: You will receive 10 points for each half of this assignment.  Do NOT let anybody else copy your answers because both parties will receive a zero on their assignment.

Read the article, "Job Interview Strategies for Teens: Part I -- Interview Preparation".

1. Add your name and title (Interview Strategies I: Interview Preparation) to your new document
2. Summarize each "bullet point" [in your own words] in one or two sentences to create a list of strategies
   Note: Your list can be either a bulleted list or a numbered list

Read the article, "Job Interview Strategies for Teens: Part II -- During and After the Interview"

1. Add a title for a new section (Interview Strategies II: During and After the Interview)
2. Again, summarize each "bullet point" [in your own words]
   Note: Your list can be either a bulleted list or a numbered list

When you are finished, make sure your document is formatted correctly, has been spell-checked, and would be a useful component in the "preparation" section of your portfolio.  

Finally, Print your document and turn it in.

Portfolio Check #1

Today you have three tasks:

1. Turn in your current portfolio.  You will be given points for EACH item that you have in your portfolio, and each item for their format, aesthetics, etc.  We will have a few more checks as we continue adding documents.
2. Get your updated résumé, cover letters, brag sheets, etc. uploaded to your Google Docs.  http://docs.google.com or http://drive.google.com.
3. Begin working on a request (a brag sheet specific for the person you will be asking) for a letter of recommendation.  You will need two letters of recommendation in your portfolio by the end of the 1st Semester.

Prepare Portfolio's

Portfolio with Notepad

Today, tomorrow and Wednesday we will be correcting and reprinting the following items:

• Résumés
• Cover Letters
• References
• Brag Sheet 

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You will include in Section One of your portfolio:

• Decent Binder (for now)
• Sheet Protectors
• Résumé
• Extra Copies of Résumé's in Pocket
• References
• Letters of Reference / Recommendation *
• Awards or Certificates *
• Newspaper Clippings (showing community involvement) *

You will include in Section Two of your portfolio:

• Brag Sheet (Request for Letter of Recommendation)
• 25 Most Common Interview Mistakes
• 25 Most Common Interview Questions
• Questions You Should Ask in an Interview
• Handshake Etiquette Guide
• Cover Letters (5 of them)
• Business Cards of Previous Employers * 

Additionally you  may want to include:

• A notepad (which fits neatly in your portfolio)
• A pocket with:
• A blue and black pen
• A comb
• Floss
• Mints

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* Recommended

Begin Personality Survey

Last week we completed an "interest survey" which helped point us toward jobs that we may be interested in.  Today we are going to take a personality test based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types and the personality research of Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Cook Briggs.

• Please go to: http://www.mypersonality.info/
• Sign up for an account and then click "Current Page"
  Use your school-related email address
• Click Take the Personality Test (then click Basic Personality Type Test)
• Take the test by answering the questions as best as you can.  If you aren't sure about an answer, choose the one that feels most correct.
• Click "Finish Test" to view results.
• Click on "____ Overview" (mine says "INFJ Overview")
• Create a new Microsoft Word document
• Type your name and a title (I used "INFJ - The Confidant" from the top of the page)
• Copy the top paragraph explaining your personality type and paste into your Word document
• Copy your "Details" [found at the left side of the page] and paste into your Word document
• Copy your "Career Matches" and paste into your Word document
• Copy three quotes from the "About the ____" section and paste into your Word document
• Format your document so that it looks nice and is well organized
• Save your document as "Personality Types"
• Print and turn in your document

After you have completed your Personality Assessment, please work on your typing.

Asking Questions During an Interview

"Wait... I have to ask THEM questions when they are interviewing ME?!"

Yes.  An interview should be a two-way conversation.  You shouldn't monopolize the conversation, but you shouldn't sit there seemingly disinterested either.

Imagine for a moment that you are introduced to someone new at a party.  You spend a while asking them questions about who they are, what interests them, what experiences they have had, and where they see themselves in the future.  You ask them, “Do you want to know anything about me?”  They reply, “Nope.”  What would you take from that meeting?  You would probably assume that they were not interested in you.

If an interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for us?" and you reply, "No... I can't think of any."  They will get the impression that you are not serious about your application to their company.

Today we will discuss some of the questions you *might* ask during an interview -- obviously you won't ask ALL of them and you won't ask questions that aren't applicable.  We will also explain what benefits you get from asking these questions.

I am including the PowerPoint here: PowerPoint Presentation: Asking Questions During an Interview

25 Most Common Interview Questions

A job interview involves a lot of questions because the interviewer is trying to find out as much information [about the interviewee] as they possibly can in a limited amount of time.  While you may get asked some very specific questions (i.e. "Have you ever worked a cash register before?"), it is likely that you will also be asked a lot of standard interview questions (i.e. "Tell me about yourself.").  Today we will be discussing the 25 most common interview questions (according to the Human Resources departments of several corporations).  I am including the PowerPoint slide show titled, "25 Most Common Interview Questions" here if you would like to review this in the future.

25 Most Common Interview Mistakes

Today we will be working on the 25 Most Common Interview Mistakes.  I will be going over a PowerPoint presentation (view it here) and you will be typing them in Microsoft Word as a bulleted (or numbered) list for inclusion in your portfolio.  At the end of class, please print and turn in your copy.  After I grade these, you will get them back to put in the "Interview Prep" section of your portfolio.

FINAL TYPING TEST (G)

Today we are going to take OUR FINAL typing test [Typing Test G].  This is the score (both speed and accuracy) that will appear on your typing certificate.

Remember, just go to the "Red Checkmark", select Lesson G and click the Measurement Writing tab.  Let me know when you have a score to show me.  I will accept up to 2 errors on this test, but I will let you take it over as often as you would like

I will still be accepting individual typing lessons until the end of the 1st quarter, but as we progress I will be putting zero's into missing scores.

16 Useful Hours of Financial Training

Read the attached article [from the Press Democrat] written by a teen about a 16 hour finance class he was pressured into taking by his parents.  As you read this article, consider the fact that we are in the only Personal Finance class still offered on a high school campus in all of Lake County.

Create a new Microsoft Word document with the heading, "Personal Finance Thoughts".  Answer the following [Note: Use real paragraphs... not just a sentence]:

1. In a paragraph, summarize the article and give your thoughts on what the author said.  
2. In a paragraph, explain what your initial thoughts are about saving money.  When should you start?  How much should you save?  Why is it important?  Etc.
3. In a bulleted list, tell me what you would like to know about saving, investing, loans, and money in general.

When you have completed this assignment, you can work on your typing or practice for the Typing Test (G) on Monday.

Finish Typing Lessons & Practice Typing Test G

Finish as many typing lessons as you can and then print out Page 1 of your Summary Report.  Tomorrow is our final typing test, so feel free to spend today practicing Typing Test G and finishing up any late or missing work.

Handshake Etiquette...

Today we are going to be discussing and demonstrating proper handshake etiquette.  I will be giving you a handout that you will keep in your portfolio as a reminder of proper technique.

Click to Download

Keep in mind that when you are looking for a job, you have to get over a series of hurdles:

1. You have to submit the proper paperwork (resume', cover letter, application, etc.)
2. You have to be vetted by the hiring manager
3. You get asked to a job interview
4. You meet the interviewer (first impressions are important)
5. You get through the interview successfully
6. Sometimes you get asked for a second interview

If you trip at any of those hurdles, someone else will pass you up.  That being said, take a look at Step 4 above.  If you dress poorly, have messed up hair, aren't groomed well, smell bad, etc. you will probably not fare well in the interview.  If you show up looking great and then you give a really horrible handshake, you can complete lose all of the progress you made by looking good.  First impressions are important.

Career Assessment / Microsoft Word

Today we are going to begin exploring some of our Interests by completing a computerized interest profiler.  We will be using the results to create a Microsoft Word document with a bulleted list, a numbered list, formatting, and saving/printing.

The difficult thing about this project is that you will be switching back and forth between three windows:

• This page (GriffsClass.com)
• The Career Interest Profiler page
• Microsoft Word

Instructions:

• Go to California Career Zone and click on "Sign In" at the top of the page... then click the "Create an account" tab.  Fill in the required information and click "Create Account".
• Go back to the main California Career Zone page and click "Go" next to "Start a new Interest Profiler:"
• Answer questions 1-180 [(L : Like), (? : Unsure), or (D : Dislike)] -- there are 12 questions per page.
• Open Microsoft Word and add your name, period, and a title ("California Career Zone Survey").
• Type your top three interest areas (and your score for each) in a numbered list.
• Move your mouse over your top three interests and see what it says about your choices.
• Add a brief summary for each of your three job types.
• Click "View Occupations" on the bottom of the screen.
• Look at the occupations that are suggested for you. Note that the occupations with a TV/monitor symbol have movie clips that you can watch -- but you will need headphones.
• Type your top 10 occupations in a numbered list (in order).
• Write one paragraph about what you think about these results. Do you agree or disagree? Are there any surprises? Are there any jobs that interest you which you never considered before?
• Insert a clip art showing a career that fits your results [or your desired career].
• Select 2-4 occupations that interest you by clicking in the boxes then click "Compare Selected" at the bottom of the list.
• Write a brief paragraph about how they compare to each other: salary, projected openings, etc.
• Save your Microsoft Word document to your ThawSpace, print it, and turn it in.
• Click the "Logout" button at the top of California Career Zone. We can return to our results later by using our Login information.

Remember, this is just an indicator of what sorts of occupations you might be interested in.  If you are positive about the direction you want to go in your life, follow that goal.

Note: When you have completed this project, please focus on any typing lessons that you are missing.  Several students are finished with all 20 lessons, most are about half way (on lesson 11-14), and several have only done 1 or 2.  Please get these completed so that we can take our final typing test.