High School Students: Preparing for Life Each Year of High School

[Although every student is not immediately going to college after graduation, every student needs a postsecondary plan, developed and tweaked before graduation. Two previously explored, helpful websites for college planning are:

http://www.okcollegestart.org/Home.aspx and https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ ]

Go to http://www.mappingyourfuture.org/GuideToLife/ to customize your own plan for life after high school.

Get prepared for life after high school

Some people know from an early age exactly what they want to be when they are adults — and how they can get there. Others aren't sure of their plans, and that's okay too.

Regardless of what you want to be, you most likely will be heading toward higher education of some kind, and our Guide to Life after High School can help you prepare. You'll learn about careers, academic preparation for college, how to pay for college, and managing your financial life after high school graduation. You will need about 25 minutes to complete a guide.

To complete an interactive guide, you must be at least 13 years of age. In addition, your school or educator instructing you to complete the guide must elect to participate.

If you are under the age of 13 or your school/educator doesn't participate, you can read a printable guide linked below.

To begin the interactive guide, provide your date of birth:

Month                                                                 January                                                             February                                                             March                                                             April                                                             May                                                             June                                                             July                                                             August                                                             September                                                             October                                                             November                                                             December                                                           Day                                                                 1                                                             2                                                             3                                                             4                                                             5                                                             6                                                             7                                                             8                                                             9                                                             10                                                             11                                                             12                                                             13                                                             14                                                             15                                                             16                                                             17                                                             18                                                             19                                                             20                                                             21                                                             22                                                             23                                                             24                                                             25                                                             26                                                             27                                                             28                                                             29                                                             30                                                             31                                                           Year                                                                201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955195419531952195119501949194819471946194519441943194219411940193919381937193619351934193319321931193019291928192719261925192419231922192119201919191819171916                                                          I certify the above date of birth is true and correct.

Printable guides
 

• Guide to Life after High School: Freshman Year
• Guide to Life after High School: Sophomore Year
• Guide to Life after High School: Junior Year
• Guide to Life after High School: Senior Year

Educators

Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative, public-service, nonprofit organization that provides career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy services to students, families, and schools. Our information and tools help you provide effective service to your students and families, especially as they explore higher education as a means to a better future.

The Guide to Life after High School program is a FREE service for students, schools, and educators. Sign up for an Online Education account so you can use the Guide to Life after High School program now or learn more!

Ret. 3-3-14

Game Playing III

Research shows that certain games, such as Freeze Tag and Simon Says, require executive function. Read on.

Tara Parker-Pope on living well.

The Well Column August 23, 2012, 12:02 am 

Simon Says Don’t Use Flashcards

By TARA PARKER-POPE

Ben Wiseman

Parents who want to stimulate their children’s brain development often focus on things like early reading, flashcards and language tapes. But a growing body of research suggests that playing certain kinds of childhood games may be the best way to increase a child’s ability to do well in school. Variations on games like Freeze Tag and Simon Says require relatively high levels of executive function, testing a child’s ability to pay attention, remember rules and exhibit self-control — qualities that also predict academic success.

“Play is one of the most cognitively stimulating things a child can do,” says Megan McClelland, an early-childhood-development researcher at Oregon State University who has led much of the research.

James Provost

The key to games education is to start with a simple game and add increasingly complicated rules. For instance, Oregon researchers have developed a game called Head-to-Toes, which they use to assess preschool children’s development. Initially, the child copies the teacher’s movements, touching her head or toes. But later, the child is expected to do the opposite, touching her toes when the teacher touches her head.

While the game may sound simple, it actually requires a high level of cognitive function for a preschooler, including focus and attention, working memory to remember rules, mental flexibility (to do the opposite) and self-control.

“We tend to equate learning with the content of learning, with what information children have, rather than the how of learning,” says Ellen Galinsky, a child-development researcher and author of “Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs.” “But focusing on the how of learning, on executive functions, gives you the skills to learn new information, which is why they tend to be so predictive of long-term success.”

Research shows that children who develop focus and self-control early in life have better academic achievement in the long term. One study of 814 children between ages 3 and 6 shows that children who do well in Simon Says-like games do better in math and reading. A smaller study of 65 preschool children found that those who started the school year with low levels of self-control showed improvement after playing games in class, including a version of Red Light, Green Light.

An Oregon State study reported on 430 children who were followed from preschool until age 25. The study, published online earlier this month in Early Childhood Research Quarterly, looked at several factors, including early reading and math skills, along with other cognitive skills, to see which were ultimately most influential in college success. It turns out that a child’s ability at age 4 to pay attention and complete a task, the very skills learned in game play, were the greatest predictors of whether he or she finished college by age 25.

---

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This post has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: September 2, 2012

The credit for an illustration on Aug. 26 with an article accompanying the Well column was omitted. It was by James Provost.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/simon-says-dont-use-flashcards/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=health&_r=0 

Ret. 3-10-14

Oklahoman Who Converted Passion into Success

Dracula character photo from www.fanpop.com

A "kid," raised on a dairy farm in Atoka, Oklahoma, loved monster movies. He asked to have his mother's old makeup, although his parents were a bit skeptical. At 15, he made himself up as a character from Planet of the Apes to help a local theater promote that movie. In 1993, he won an Oscar for his makeup special effects in Bram Stokers' Dracula. Watch the video below for interviews and glimpses into Mungle's world, his studio, coworkers, and special effects. 

Discuss with your mentee(s) being different, passion, perseverance, and many other qualities that must have been necessary to propel Matthem Mungle where he is today.

Matthew Mungle

The art of Hollywood special effects makeup

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-art-of-hollywood-special-effects-makeup/ 

March 2, 2014, 9:35 AM Lee Cowan introduces us to 

Lee Cowan introduces us to Academy Award-winner Matthew Mungle, one of the greatest make-up special effects men in movie history. Cowan follows Mungle as the artist goes thruogh the process of creating bodies for an episode of "CSI."      

Learn more about Mungle's work and resume at the company website for W.M. Creations, Inc., in North Hollywood.

http://www.wmcreationsinc.com/   

Looks real, doesn't it! 

                                                                                                                                                                                         

A Job Shadowing Form: One of Many On-Site Worksheets

Do you see value of this simple example? 

JOB SHADOWING ON-SITE WORKSHEET

Student Name:  ___________________________________________________

Site Visited:      ___________________________________________________

Name of Person

You Shadowed: ___________________________________________________

Shadow Date:   ___________________________________________________

While at your job shadow site, ask the following questions of the person you are shadowing.  You should also ask two additional questions of your own.  This information is for you to use to help you in the career planning process.

1.     What is the main purpose of this organization?  

2.     What are your main responsibilities?  

3.     What is your time schedule?  

4.     What type of training, education or experience would I need to do this job?  

5.     How did you decide to do this type of work?  

6.     What do you like most about your job?  

7.     What do you like least about your job?  

8.     What is the average starting salary for this job or field? 

9.     How is technology used in this job or field?  

10.  What types of math, science, social studies, or English (written and oral communication) skills are needed to do this job? 

11.  Do you have any advice for me as I consider career choices?  

12.  What types of courses or school or community activities would you recommend to compliment this career field?  

13.  Question:  

Answer:  

14.  Question:  

      Answer:    

infusion.allconet.org/webquest/On-Site_Worksheet.doc   Ret. 3-4-14

More resources and information forthcoming...

Job Shadowing Program, Loyola, et al.

Updated 6-13-16

We like the presentation and questions in Manchester Metropolitan University's guide. You may be asked by a supervisor, advisor, or the job shadow host to write about what you learned. Be prepared and intentional.Don't forget to write a thank you note after. 

https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/media/mmuacuk/content/documents/human-resources/a-z/guidance-procedures-and-handbooks/Job_Shadowing_Guidelines.pdf

Another similar resource is from the London School of Economics and Politics, University of London.

http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/humanResources/learningAndDevelopment/Managing-Your-Career/Job-Shadowing.aspx 


Inspired by the presentation of Vicki Williams, AT&T mentor, at the Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast in Tulsa recently, we are launching a series of blogs on job shadowing for middle school, high school, post-secondary institutions and workforce ready. 

Foremost below are the benefits to students and to employers and the guidelines for employers.

Loyola University of Maryland, Baltimore, has information below, including videos, tips and video transcripts of videos on topics such as phone etiquette, the interview, top 10 interview mistakes, online video interview, behavioral interview, avoiding Google answers, asking questions and interviewing the interviewer in addition to proper interview clothing. Although geared toward post-secondary, this is practical information.

What is Job Shadowing?

Job shadowing is an experience where students may spend a few hours, a half day, or even a full day with an employer. Each shadowing experience varies and will depend on the site, but students could engage in/observe client meetings or computer and research projects, tour the facility, and interact with other departments within the organization.

Students

By job shadowing, students have the opportunity to:

• make connections by building networks with alumni and employers in the industries that interest them,
• gain experience by observing a specific occupation on location at the employer site, and
• confirm their major by validating their interest in a specific industry and/or occupation.

To prepare for an upcoming job shadowing or informational interview:

• Review the job shadowing planning sheet for students,  http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/~/media/6D1FE30CF6614197ADD29F0AD1C85BA9.ashx, 

• Consult the sample list of informational interviews,  http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/~/media/97DE96C37B4A44EA8ED1BACF0FFAB946.ashxand

• Watch a brief video on informational interviews,  http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=481 

If interested, contact The Career Center.

Employers

Through participating in job shadowing, employers have the opportunity to:

• Establish recruiting relationships with universities,
• Increase student interest in their organization and industry, and
• Mentor students who are exploring their major and career interests.

View the employer guidelines for job shadowing. If you are interested in hosting a student or group of students, please contact The Career Center.

Loyola University of Maryland, Baltimore

http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/jobshadow.aspx

National Groundhog Job Shadow Day

Still inspired by AT&T's Vicki Williams, who spoke at the Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast in Tulsa last week, we are researching a job shadowing day--or two--in all towns and cities in Oklahoma. 

Imagine the impact of employers allowing sixth grade through post-secondary students into their businesses to experience a real workday, explore skills, observe, ask questions, listen, and submit a report afterwards.

Many suitable guides, forms and worksheets for schools, students and employers abound on the Internet. Many of the adaptable forms are thoughtful and usually age-related from simple and short to more professional. We will share many of those resources in a subsequent post. Be thinking how to start this in your community.

Excerpts from a couple of sites:

Job Shadowing: National Job Shadowing Day

You can also develop a job shadowing program for students in your community to teach them about your company. While most benefits accrue to the students, the corporate recruiter who offers job shadowing to local schools gains a definite edge by discovering which students will make excellent additions to the employee roster. Many companies observe Ground Hog’s Day (February 2) for their job shadowing program efforts.

http://www.brighthub.com/office/human-resources/articles/101899.aspx  Ret. 3-4-14

Directly from the website:

National Groundhog 

Job Shadow Day -

February 3, 2014 

This February, the lodging industry once again participates

in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (NGJSD), a 

national campaign that gives young people a new 

perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and 

a one-day mentoring experience. 

Students are paired with a mentor whom they will "shadow" 

throughout the day to experience how the skills they learn in

the classroom can be applied to the real world. This event 

also provides an opportunity to introduce future employees 

to the vast array of careers available in the lodging industry, 

as well as supports our industry's community efforts. 

NGJSD is a joint effort of America's Promise - Alliance for 

Youth, Junior Achievement, and the U.S. Department of 

Labor. Nationwide, more than one million students and 

100,000 businesses participate, and last year, more than 

2,000 restaurants and hotels hosted nearly 20,000 students. 

https://www.ahla.com/groundhog/ On 6-13-16, this link was no longer active, but we still love the idea!

National Groundhog Job Shadow Day is confined neither to one industry nor to one geographic area; however, the North and the South appear to embrace it vigorously.

November is the other appropriate time of year for a job shadowing day since November "owns" National Career Development Month and also Career Day.

Warren Buffett's $ecret Millionaires Club

Developing Healthy Financial Habits

Elena 

Radley

Warren

Why I started the $ecret Millionaires Club

by Warren Buffett

We created the Secret Millionaires Club to help kids develop healthy habits, and provide a fun way for kids to learn about the “business of life.” I thought the idea of using the power of cartoon characters to carry a message was a good one, as is teaching financial lessons at an age when it can really help kids.

We’ve taken those same lessons from the television series, and created toys and books and games, providing other ways to make it fun for kids to learn about business. And three years ago, we created a program that encouraged kids to use what they learn from Secret Millionaires Club to create their own businesses.

The Grow Your Own Business Challenge is a national competition available in thousands of schools and youth organizations across the country. The competition offers an educational website and downloadable materials to help kids develop their ideas. Thousands of kids enter the competition every year.

The finalists come to see me in Omaha and present their business plans. It’s a lot of fun for the kids, their teachers, parents and most of all for me! Each year, I am amazed by the ideas these kids come up with. For those who are pessimistic about the current state of affairs in this country, they need only spend a few hours with these terrific kids to see that the best days of this country are before us. The program is proof that at a very early age kids not only understand financial matters, they come up with some pretty extraordinary ideas themselves, and have a lot of fun doing it.

Lisa

Jones

http://www.smckids.com/

From the website:

ABOUT THE SECRET MILLIONAIRES CLUB

The Secret Millionaires Club is an animated series that features Warren Buffett as a mentor to a group of entrepreneurial kids whose adventures lead them to encounter financial and business problems to solve. The program teaches the basic of good financial decision making and some of the basic lessons of starting a business. The animated series has 26 online short webisodes and TV specials featured on the HUB cable network. The animated series is created by A Squared Entertainment. Watch Webisodes In 2011/2012, the animated series branched out into a sponsored educational program, "Learn & Earn" with in-school materials for teachers, at home activities for families and afterschool activities for youth organizations. The program includes an annual national competition that challenges kids to come up with their own business ideas. The winners and finalists of the first annual competition shared their business ideas with Mr. Buffett in Omaha. - 

See more at: http://www.smckids.com/about.php#sthash.lnvkrf9F.dpuf

More from the website, sample episodes include location, reputation, etc.,

Webisode 26: Cancel My Reputation Build a Good Reputation

See more at: http://www.smckids.com/#sthash.79OLBmg7.dpuf 

By the way, the Secret Millionaires Club has curriculum guides coordiated with 4-H, Junior Achievement and Girls, Inc. Check out all that is available at the smckids website.

 Ret. 3-3-14