EMPLOYMENT
“The reward of working with youth in Project LIFE is seeing them mold themselves into the adults they will become.”
GEORGE MACK, Project LIFE
Employment
A job provides you the income to pay for housing, food, medical care and other necessities of life. Just as important, work can help youth in foster care to develop confidence and a sense of responsibility, both of which help them succeed and become productive members of their communities.
Understanding your skills, abilities, and interests and how these align with possible career paths is the first step in helping you find employment. You will be happier and likely to stay at a job that satisfies you and helps you reach your personal goals. Talk to them about what they want in a job, help them set priorities and then discuss what they need to do in order to achieve their goals.
What do you like to do? What are you good at?
IF YOU ENJOY:
design, color, music, performance, singing
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Artist
- Photographer
- Musician
- Decorator
- Cartoonist
- Actor
- Graphic Designer
- Interior Designer
IF YOU ENJOY:
accuracy, detail, working with numbers
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Cashier
- Hospitality Manger
- Computer Programmer
- Event Planner
- Doctor
- Accountant
IF YOU ENJOY:
reading, writing, languages
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Reporter
- Teacher
- Editor
- Screenwriter
- News Broadcaster
- Proofreader
- Author
IF YOU ENJOY:
tools, machines, how things work
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Mechanic
- Locksmith
- Pilot
- Plumber
- Engineer
- Carpenter
- Industrial Designer
IF YOU ENJOY:
plants, animals, trees, sports, outdoors
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Park Ranger
- Gardener
- Farmer
- Biologist
- Veterinarian
- Landscaper
- Geologist
IF YOU ENJOY:
meeting people, sharing ideas
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO BE:
- Sales person
- Politician
- Lawyer
- Travel agent
- Counselor
What do I want my job to give me?
Find a job that offers what you are interested in. You probably have many interests. If so, you may have to choose which is most important. What do you want from a job?
- Challenges
- Change and improvement
- Chance to meet and learn about different people
- Honesty and having people trust me
- Paying attention to very small details
- Looking at the big picture
- Independence, creativity and finding new ways to do things
- Influencing others
- Helping and caring for other people
- Working with my hands
- Building things
Getting a foot in the door
Sometimes volunteering or an internship is the best way to get youth where they want to go. Volunteering gives them the chance to show their skills and learn more about different jobs. By volunteering, a youth in foster care can also gain confidence, meet people who are concerned about others and feel useful. An internship provides the similar benefits in a professional, more formal workplace. Apprenticeships are another avenue to explore. They offer on-the-job training in highly needed skills and can lead to very good careers.
An internship is a temporary job students take to gain knowledge and skills in a particular field. Internships are a way to try out your interests and discover whether a job suits you. Through hard work and proving your abilities day to day, you may be able to turn an internship into a job offer.
The Virginia Registered Apprenticeship is a great opportunity to receive training and experience in many competitive jobs. It offers on-the-job training and theoretical classroom instruction. Related instruction may be provided through a local community college, a vocational or technical center, electronically or at the place of employment. A registered apprentice completes a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction for each year of the apprenticeship.
Things you enjoy doing now could turn into a career. So if you have an opportunity to try something out by volunteering, working part-time, or participating in an internship, take advantage of it. You won’t know whether you like something until you try it.
Every job counts! Any job — volunteer, school aide, or flipping burgers — shows employers that you have ambition and want to be responsible. Come to work on time, treat others with respect, and do the job well so you can get a letter of recommendation from your boss.
JobCorps
JOB CORPS IS THE LARGEST FREE RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION
Make a good impression when you go for an interview. Your appearance and demeanor affect a potential employer’s impression and willingness to hire you.
- Dress well. You may not have to dress up to do the work but you do need to dress your best when you go for an interview.
- Fill out paperwork carefully and so it can be read.
- Turn your cellphone off. You need to pay attention and avoid interruptions.
- Show that you really want the job. Be interested, sit up straight, and ask questions.
- Show your enthusiasm! Tell them why you like this kind of work and why you can do it.
- Say “Thank you!” and send the interviewer a thank-you email afterwards — spelled correctly.
More Life Skills to Explore
Interested in learning more? Check out our other life skill pages.
