Design Your Own Life From High School to Career

Design Your Own Life From High School to Career An Interactive Journal for Students and Parents

Copyright © 2015 by David Cleveland All rights reserved as permitted in the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. Two exceptions are allowed. One is in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in text or in a review. The other is the free forms related to this book which can be reproduced freely. All other portions may not be reproduced in part or in whole by any process or any means, or stored in a database, or retrieval system without the prior written permission of the author. Email Author at [email protected] Revised Edition ISBN 1-56117-000-3

Dedication This book is dedicated to my best friend and cousin, Ken. We started our friendship at age seven. We took different roads in life. After high school, we served in Vietnam, married, and had children. I settled in California. He stayed in our hometown in Georgia. We studied different things in college and started entirely different businesses. After sixty years, we both ended up in the same place – retired and fishing when we can get away. Thanks for a life-time friendship. I think we both designed meaningful lives.

About The Author To Learn More About David L. Cleveland inclusioneldercare.com David is a nationally recognized writer and public health researcher. He retired after 32 years of public service and four years of military service. He served in the United States Navy from 1967–1971. His graduate and undergraduate studies in public health took place at San Diego State University. He established a public health research and publishing firm in 1979. His company published a series of books designed for elementary and high school students. A version of this book was first published in 1992. That book won recognition from the American Association for Career Education. So it has a strong family history, along with the other twenty his company

Design Your Own Life published. His earliest work in creating student peer counseling programs took place on Indian reservations and within intercity Boys and Girls Clubs. The student workbooks for that program were translated into Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, and Portuguese language. During his career, he had the privileged to work with public health and education officials from Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil, Malta, and Northern Ireland. David’s work created opportunities to partner with county, state, federal, international governmental officials, and major foundations. After five years of retirement, he felt a strong need to complete this new interactive student journal. Please enjoy it! You can contact David at [email protected]. v



Table of Contents Dedication iii About The Author iv CHAPTER 1: Record Keeping is Essential 1 CHAPTER 2: What Is Your Personality Type? 31 CHAPTER 3: What Are Your Skills? 37 CHAPTER 4: Discovering Your Values 53 CHAPTER 5: World of Work 71 CHAPTER 6: Goal Setting 79 CHAPTER 7: Life Plan 95 CHAPTER 8: Preparing for College 123 CHAPTER 9: Fast Emerging Issues 175 CHAPTER 10: Meeting College Cost 187 Bibliography 203 Disclaimer 205

Preface To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong. - Joseph Chilton Pearce This book is designed to be interactive. Write in it. Set goals. Make plans for your life. Map a course for yourself. See the graphic below. Without a map there is no way of knowing if you are on the right road, if you have arrived at your destination, or even if you are making progress. Without a plotted course, we may all be like Columbus who didn’t know where he was going, didn’t know how to get there, and didn’t know where he was when he finally arrived! There is a way to find a direction and work out a plan. Use this book as a direction finder. Keep this information highly secured as you deem necessary (encrypt the information if necessary). The first step in designing a life plan begins by gathering vital statistics. Your vital statistics are confidential and should be treated with the utmost security.

Design Your Own LifeHIGHEDUCATIONGraduate andCAREER ixSCHOOL ARMED FORCES Professional Schools Four Year College WORK Two Year College Vocational and Technical Schools On e Job Training Apprenticeship

Design Your Own Life How to use this journal It provides information from multiple perspectives. We’ve attempted to filter through the Internet’s massive college and career planning information for you. However, new information is put online every day and we encourage sharing between students and parents. Throughout the publication, we introduce new and emerging technology concepts now in use for career and life planning. We hope you enjoy the journal and have fun with the embedded videos and hyperlinks. Before you start enjoying the activities…we offer the following thought. Portions of this journal will guide your information collection process. Much of the data and information gathered will be needed when filling out college applications, applying for grants and scholarships, and basic job information. Those who are active technology users will find helpful features in the newest version of Acrobat Reader (e.g., completing a form and emailing it to a specific person). Others may want to print the forms and manage them by hand. The forms are not fancy in their design. The cost of printer ink continues to rise so the simpler the forms, the cheaper the cost of printing. You can’t control the wind, but you can control the direction that you travel. - Unknown x

Design Your Own Life Having the information readily available and easy to share with others is the important issue. Identity Thieves and Hackers In today’s world of identity thieves and hackers, you must keep personal information secure. Talk with your family and experts to decide what security measures will work best for you; (e.g., keep all information secured in the home and only share certain documents with trusted professionals). Do not leave personal hard copy information lying around the house. Never share private information by phone or online unless you are certain you can trust the person or agency (e.g., Social Security office or a hospital). The Internet “cloud” services offered by phone and computer companies provide a certain level of security; but you should be careful of those, too. Computer and phone security is becoming compromised by hackers, so you are encouraged to create strong passwords and keep backups of your forms in hard copy and/or electronic files. Report any problems with hackers and scammers to your local authorities. Microsoft, Norton, PCMatic, federal law enforcement agencies, and other technology companies also offer free security advice. xi

Design Your Own Life Please enjoy the book. The very best to you on graduation day, your career and life! Build Your Team The transition from high school to career and adult life requires serious consideration and is a long journey. One aim of this publication is to encourage each student to build a “Support Team.” People in this team will change over time depending upon their knowledge of a specific issue. Do not feel you have to face all the decisions alone. However, you will have to invest your time and energy into making the decisions that are right for you. Just know that others are there to help… be open and listen to what they have to say. xii

#1 Record Keeping is Essential Introduction Whether we like it or not, our existence is validated in part with documents. Therefore, keeping track of certain personal documents is a requirement of everyday life. So start organizing your important documents early! Getting organized The first step in designing a life plan begins by gathering vital statistics as described below. Your vital statistics are confidential and should be treated with the utmost security. If you choose, after gathering all the required documents, individual documents can be scanned and saved with passwords. You may be asked to submit supporting documents with your college applications and when applying for grants and scholarships. When securing your files, be sure to use strong passwords that combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Examples: Strong password: Z9rc!yt7. Weak password: Myhouse91. Passwords should be 8 or more characters in length. For more information, click and visit Microsoft at security help. Moving into adulthood opens new ways for identity theft. To learn more about identity theft, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has this video on identity theft and how to handle it. The FTC’s publications Identity Theft 1

Design Your Own Life provides details on how to handle issues if your identity is stolen. Visit YouTube to view videos on the different ways identity theft can impact your life. Where to write for vital records After you begin gathering personal and family information and you discover you need official copies of a marriage license, birth or a death certificate, The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) provides a PDF file explaining where to write for vital statistics state-by-state. Organize your records Use the following list to verify each item after you have it in-hand. Once scanned or copied secure the original from theft, loss, fire, and natural hazards. When applying for scholarships or a job, you may be required to submit a copy of one or more of these documents. You will need these items and perhaps others. Some of these items will become part of your personal portfolio. Having them handy in both hardcopy and electronic files will make filling out forms much easier. You will be required to have certain vaccinations before arriving at college, so view the CDC vaccination forms below. 1. Birth Certificate: Contact your State Department of Health. 2. Social Security Card Video – Memorize this number and keep your card safe at all times! Be careful of false claims about second social security cards. 3. Health Records: Understanding HIPAA Laws 2 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life 4. Vaccinations 7–18 years: Adult Vaccinations: Visit CDC to view vaccination requirements and their website for youth health issues. To stay current on health news, visit, Healthfinder.gov 5. Achievement Records: Personal awards of any kind 6. School Grade Sheets/Transcripts/Diplomas: Some transcripts will indicate number of absences 7. Baptismal/Dedication Certificate 8. Certificates of Leadership and Commendation 9. Certificates of training (e.g. lifesaving, CPR, First Aid, etc.) 10. School or local newspaper articles featuring you and/or your group activity 11. Anything else of importance to your career 12. Make a paper list of emergency contacts and share it with people you can trust during an emergency situation, and ensure they have the numbers in their phones. Most artists now use both hardcopy and electronic files as a means to share and illustrate their work. A new tread is for colleges and employers to request portfolios of students – sometimes this can be as simple as a personal webpage. A hardcopy or electronic portfolio should contain examples of your work, such as: PowerPoint presentations, graphic art, or a creative video, writing examples, science projects, photography’s of sculptures, livestock or farm work, music, or any other item that clearly demonstrate your qualifications and experience, such as volunteer or internship work. You should always have recent no-frills background color pictures of yourself. A well designed and organized portfolio can help you stand out above a crowd when competing for college placement or a job. Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 3

Design Your Own Life A review of a sample College Common Application form will demonstrate why you need to collect the following information. If you do not have or know all the information, you should begin gathering the missing information before filling out an actual application online. This early experience in filling out the form will make the actual process go easier. Having all this information in a written format will speed up filling in applications and give you backup information in case documents are lost, damaged or stolen. Gather all the information required by the Common College Application form and use the following worksheets to gather other important information. 4 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Health Information Worksheet The National Institute of Health (NIH) encourages everyone to track their own personal health. Dr. Francis S. Collins, NIH Director will be in charge of mapping the human brain project. The project will surpass in excitement and new knowledge created by the mapping of the human genome. College health services and the military will need to know certain information. It will be important to keep your health information updated. Print a hardcopy of these worksheets, scan and save the information to a USB file separate from your computer, or do both. Remember to password protect your files. Health Care Law The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule sets rules and limits on who can look at and receive your protected health information, or information that relates to your health or health care you have received and can also be used to identify you. Your health information may be used and shared with doctors and hospitals; with family, relatives, friends, or others you specify; with the police in special cases such as gunshot wounds; and with government agencies that report on the incidence of various major illnesses. Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 5

Design Your Own Life Your health care provider and health plan must give you a notice that tells you how they may use and share your health information and how you can exercise your health privacy rights. In most cases, you should get this notice on your first visit to a provider or in the mail from your health insurer, and you can ask for a copy at any time. The provider or health plan cannot use or disclose information in a way that is not consistent with their notice. Unless HIPAA explicitly allows for the use or disclosure of your protected health information (similar to the situations as noted above), your personal health information (PHI) cannot be used or shared without your written permission. For example, without your authorization, your provider generally cannot give your information to your employer, use or share your information for marketing or advertising purposes, or share private notes about your health care. Tracking your own health information can be helpful. There will always be emergency situations when health information is required in a hurry. Sometimes hardcopy information is the quickest way to pass information in an emergency. As a minimum you should track the following information and keep it handy and when necessary password protected. 6 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life My General Health Information Worksheet Date: Blood Type (positive or negative)  Date of last complete physical  Major illnesses and surgeries, with dates    List of prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, dosage, and how long taken them     If prescription medicine is used, name of prescribing doctor/s     Chronic illnesses    History of illnesses in family     Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 7

Design Your Own Life Disease contracted outside the United States Any homeopathic (home remedies) medicines Allergies Special health problems or conditions (i.e. migraine headaches) 8 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Name of Health and Dental Insurance Providers: (e.g. United Health Care, etc.) Provider Name  Policy Number  Group Number  Address  City, State, Zip  Customer Service Phone  Email  Coverage provided by (Parent employer, other)  Name of Primary Physician Physician Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Phone  Email  Name of Dentist Dentist Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Phone  Email  Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 9

Design Your Own Life Faith/Church Affiliation Worksheet Faith/Church Affiliation  Baptism Date  Baptism Place  Godparents  Confirmation/Dedication  Date  Officiate  Place  10 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Education History Worksheet High School to From to High School to From to High School From High School From Major subjects: Subjects liked best Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 11

Design Your Own Life Subjects liked least GradePoint Average Date Test Results (PSAT/SAT/ACT) Verbal 12 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life School and Community Participation Worksheet High School Memberships List those specific organizations in which you hold a membership (4-H, DECCA, FFA, Scouts, special interest clubs, language, music, drama, broadcasting, business…) Specific years involved and leadership positions Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 13

Design Your Own Life Junior High School Memberships List those specific organizations in which you hold a membership (4-H, DECCA, FFA, Scouts, special interest clubs, language, music, drama, broadcasting, business…) Specific years involved and leadership positions.                      14 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Special Accomplishments Worksheet Describe any special accomplishment: (e.g., term paper, science project or experiment; technical, musical, dramatic, artistic, or athletic achievement). Accomplishments                      Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 15

Design Your Own Life Skills (Skills include: computer, foreign language, drafting, welding, public speaking, etc.) Language mastered other than English Places you have traveled (in and outside the United States)  16 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Job Training Skills gained from on-the-job training/technical/vocational training: What contributions did you make (e.g. lead a team, came up with solutions, volunteered)? Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 17

Design Your Own Life                           18 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Participation Outside of School Worksheet (Camps, tours, classes, performances, exhibits, recitals…)                        Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 19

Design Your Own Life Personal and Family History Worksheet Collect information on parents, grandparents, or guardians depending on your situation. 20 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Dates of Service Level of Education Degree or Certifications College/School Attended Phone Cell Email Mother’s Name (include maiden name)  Birthday  Birthplace  Employment  Employment  Address  City/State/Zip  Military Service (Branch of Service)  Military Service Number  Dates of Service  Level of Education  Degree or Certifications  College/School Attended  Phone  Cell  Email  Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 21

Design Your Own Life Brothers and Sisters  Names  Birthdates  Colleges/Schools Attended Time period attended  Phone Numbers  Your Children’s Name/s (If applicable) Name/s  Birthday/s  Social Security Numbers: Do not write down the numbers. Store them in a safe place. 22 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Employment History Worksheet Begin with the most recent position Employer Name Address City, State, Zip Position Responsibilities   Time of employment Started Ended Reason for Leaving Employer Name Address City, State, Zip Position Responsibilities   Time of employment Started Endedv Reason for Leaving Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 23

Design Your Own Life References for College Worksheet (Names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three persons—teachers, counselors, employers) Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email  What can this person attest to (e.g. grades, school accomplishments, awards?)   Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email What can this person attest to (e.g. grades, school accomplishments, awards?)   24 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email  What can this person attest to (e.g. grades, school accomplishments, awards?)   Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 25

Design Your Own Life References for Work Worksheet (Names, addresses and telephone numbers of previous employer, internships, or volunteer work) Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email  What can this person attest to (e.g. punctuality, overcame difficulties of the job?)   Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email  What can this person attest to (e.g. quick learner, solved specific problems?)   26 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Name  Address  City, State, Zip  Relationship  Phone  Email  What can this person attest to (e.g. creative thinking, volunteered to work overtime?)   Tips for those very important letters of references and recommendation: 1. Ask your references for letters at least two weeks in advance. 2. Make sure the person providing the reference understands which job you are applying so they can write their letter to match your qualifications. 3. Give an addressed, stamped envelope to the person providing the letter, if the recommendation is to be mailed directly. 4. Send a thank you note to each person who provided a letter and keep them updated. Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 27

Design Your Own Life List of Emergency Contacts Worksheet Name  Relationship  Address  City, State, Zip  Home Phone  Cell Phone  Work Phone  Email  Name  Relationship  Address  City, State, Zip  Home Phone  Cell Phone  Work Phone  Email  28 Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential

Design Your Own Life Name  Relationship  Address  City, State, Zip  Home Phone  Cell Phone  Work Phone  Email  Name  Relationship  Address  City, State, Zip  Home Phone  Cell Phone  Work Phone  Email  The Next Step Scan or copy these worksheets for safe keeping and handy access. Continue to keep this information updated and gather other information that will be specific to your needs (e.g. student with disabilities will need copies of their transition plan, and other medical documentations). Chapter 1: Record Keeping is Essential 29



What Is Your #2 Personality Type? Introduction According to studies by John Holland, (1919 – 2008) who was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at John Hopkins University, most people fall into one of six personality types: 1) Realistic, 2) Investigative, 3) Artistic, 4) Social, 5) Enterprising, and 6) Conventional. The characteristics of each personality type are described below. The professor’s theory is the best known and most widely researched theory on this topic and is used by most career counselors. Perhaps you have already taken a career self-assessment during school or online. If so, after completing the following self-assessment, save it and compare your results. Look at your personality from a job point-of-view. Sooner or later most everyone goes to work - earning a living is a fact of life. Try and choose work you will enjoy and do well. Your personality will influence your c areer c hoice. How well does your personality match each of the five categories? Rank yourself on a scale of 0 to 5. Zero indicates no match and five being the best match most like you. You will want to return to these after more in-depth research into your career choices. Realistic Those who are skilled working with their hands, and work that may require strength and endurance. Most jobs involve working with tools or machines in skilled trades, technical or service jobs, often outdoors with animals or driving trucks. Example careers: mechanic, air traffic controller, surveyor, 31

Design Your Own Life chef, soldier, paramedic, farmer, martial arts, electrician, police officer, fire fighter miner, landscaping, or pilot. Click on the arrow number that represents you. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Would you consider any of the careers just listed? If so, select three and write them down in the arrow graphic and save for the future. You may want to change your selection later. Investigative Those who want to know “why”; problem solvers who perform scientific or laboratory research to learn how the world works. Example careers: biologist, chemist, historian, doctor, dentist, medical technologist, wildlife biologist, veterinarian, scientist, computer programmer, or a college professor. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Would you consider any of the careers just listed? 32 Chapter 2: What is Your Personality Type

Design Your Own Life Artistic Those who have: talent, skills, and interest to use words, music, and other art forms creatively and imaginatively. Example careers: musician, museum curator, interior designer, artist, actor, writer, journalist, architect, decorator, graphic designer, dance instructor, English teacher, photographer. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Would you consider any of the careers just listed? Social Service Those who: teach, coach, lead or help others in special ways. Example careers: social worker, psychologist, city manager, religious worker, casework, hospital administrator, park naturalist, occupational or recreational therapist, playground supervisor, child care worker, teacher, or speech therapist, police officer, registered nurse, or real estate appraiser. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Chapter 2: What is Your Personality Type 33

Design Your Own Life Would you consider any of the careers just listed? Enterprising Those who are: sufficiently self-confident to risk making sales presentations, to lead corporations, to run for political office or to own and operate a business. Example careers: banker, retail manager, stockbroker, television producer, politician, urban planner, attorney, sports promoter, or television producer. 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Would you consider any of the careers just listed? Conventional Those involved in clerical and numerical t asks. J obs t hat require: accuracy, precision, and attention to detail such as record keeping, data entry, bank examiner, or statistician. Example careers: accountant, administrative assistant, court reporter, travel agent, tax consultant, safety inspector, medical records technician, banker, financial analyst, office manager, cost estimator or tax expert. 34 Chapter 2: What is Your Personality Type

Design Your Own Life 0 1 2 3 4 5 Not like me Most like me Would you consider any of the careers just listed? Chapter 2: What is Your Personality Type 35

Design Your Own Life Your Worker Personality Worksheet Summarize Your Scores: Fill in the scores you gave yourself “Not like me” or “Most like me”. Realistic Score Investigative Score Artistic Score Social Service Score Enterprising Score Conventional Score The Next Step In the following chapters you will begin to research and explore specific jobs and career paths that interest you. In the meantime, begin interviewing friends and family as to how well their personality types match with their career. Share this exercise with them. If you are already working; ask yourself: Does my present job match my personality type? Save these pages and return to them in the future after you research the job or jobs that you are strongly considering. 36 Chapter 2: What is Your Personality Type

#3 What Are Your Skills? Introduction Perhaps at this age you are not an expert at many things. Don’t worry about it. There is a high probability you have more skills than you might think. You have acquired some skills as a writer, computer skills for sure, and if by chance you live on a ranch or farm, surely you have gained agricultural skills. For now, your school diplomas will be supplemented with your various skills. Knowing how to communicate the degree of your skills to employers will increase your success during job interviews. Your school and community activities, summer/part-time jobs and class projects have given you many experiences to develop a range of skills. Many of our skills are simply taken for granted. Basically, we have four types of skills: 1) Self-Management, 2) Transferrable, 3) Functional and 4) Work- Content. Let’s review self-management skills. Self-Management Skills Self-management skills include how you get along with others, how you relate to the bosses in your life, to time, to the material world, to clothes, etc. There is no authorized list of self-management skills, because there are so many ways in which each skill belonging to the “group” can be named. However, it includes the following types of skills. Using the Self-Management Worksheet: Place a (P) in box next to the skills you feel you possess. Place an (X) in the ones you need to polish. Work on developing these skills as if your career depends on it because it may. After you print it, you are encouraged to date and save this page. Return to it after you have had time to reflect. You may decide to make changes. Normally, as we grow older our self-management skills should improve with maturity. 37