Career Exploration and Employment Information

What do you want to be when you grow up?

You are a high school student...how are you supposed to know what career you want to pursue after you graduate?!

STEP ONE:
During your freshman year, begin thinking about what you want to do after you graduate from Mynderse Academy:

• Attend a vocational school
• Attend a two-year college
• Attend a four-year college
• Join the workforce
• Join the military

STEP TWO:
What are your interests, skills, and personal qualities?  Think about what you like to do in your spare time, your favorite academic classes, and what you are naturally good at.

STEP THREE:
What type of work environment do you envision yourself in?

• Inside or outside?
• Sitting down or standing up/moving all day?
• Interacting with people or not?
• Working independently or as a team?
• High or low stress?
• Slow or fast-paced?

STEP FOUR:
Narrow down your career interests to four or less (to start!)...Contact Mrs. Stevers to set up a shadow in the career field of your choice!

If you are college-bound, the first step in deciding WHICH college is to figure out what you plan on studying! Each college has its own set of degrees that are available so make sure you find a college that offers a few majors that interest you. Check out this link for helpful tips in choosing a college major: 

College Board's Big Future: 
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Major

Click the buttons below to explore your career options.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The United States Department of Labor's, Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and the outlook for hundreds of occupations.

US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook

Paths to the Professions: Careers in the Licensed Professions

The New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions, under the direction of the Board of Regents, regulates the practice of over 50 professions in New York State. These are the learned professions that support our physical and mental health; the safety and integrity of our buildings, bridges, and other features and systems of the built environment; the accuracy of financial and court records; and much more!

NYSED:  Paths to the Professions

College Board - Big Future

A friendly college planning site that helps you find colleges, explore careers, scholarships, financial aid & more!

College Board - Big Future

Know How 2 Go - Middle and High School

Great information for middle & high school students to be college-ready...good resource for college too!  A great site to learn about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Know How 2 Go - Middle and High School

STEM Jobs

A great site to learn about careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

STEM Jobs

Career Cornerstone Center

This is an ever-expanding resource for anyone interested in exploring careers in STEM plus computing and healthcare.

Career Cornerstone Center

NY Department of Labor Youth Portal

New York State Department of Labor - use this web site to find out important information regarding where you can work! You'll be able to see what days and times you are permitted to work based on your age and what time of year it is. You can see what types of jobs you can work at while you are under the age of 18 and review important things like minimum wage and overtime pay!

NY Department of Labor Youth Portal

• Minors ages 14 - 17 can stop into the counseling department during the school day to request the employment certificate application forms (AT-17, Application for Employment Certificate and AT-16, Physical Fitness Certification) necessary to receive either a 14/15 year old work certificate or a 16/17 year old work certificate.
• The applications forms are completed by the counseling department secretary for the minor requesting an employment certificate.  The minor will have a parent sign their consent on Form AT-17, and Form AT-16 has to be completed by either the school nurse or the minor’s physician. 
   
  • If the school nurse has in her records that the minor has had a physical exam within the last calendar year, the school nurse can complete the form.
  • If the school nurse’s records indicate that the minor’s last physical exam is past a year old, the minor will need to have a physical exam with his/her doctor, and then the physician can complete Form AT-16 afterwards. 
• Once the two needed signatures are obtained on the work certificate application forms, the minor can return the signed forms to the counseling department secretary, who will prepare the applicable work certificate for the minor.
• Minors 16 or 17 years old who no longer attend school may request a full-time employment certificate, which is noted on Form AT-17.  The minor’s parent must appear at the school to sign the consent form in the presence of work certificate issuer if the minor did not graduate from high school.
• If the minor requesting a work certificate does not attend SFCSD and does not have identifying information in the school district’s data base, the minor will need to bring proof of identification/birth when coming to pick up the application forms.
• Minors needing work certificate application forms when school is not in session should call the counseling department (315-568-5500) to coordinate a time with either Mrs. Wilkie (phone extension 2150) or Mrs. Neal (phone extension 2154) before coming to school to pick up the work certificate application forms. 

Click the link below to view employment opportunities in Seneca, Ontario, Yates, and Wayne counties.

Local Job Leads

What is a Job Shadow?

• Students have the opportunity to spend up to 8 hours observing a professional who works in the career field of their choice.
• Job shadowing immerses each student in the world of work where they can get first-hand information about job skills and careers. Job shadowing can provide experiences that are as unique as the students who participate. By bringing students into the workplace to see a professional at work, very real and tangible options come alive for them.
• Job shadowing provides exciting reasons why students should apply themselves in school. It creates a critical link between education and success. Classroom exercises conducted prior to and following the job shadow experience are designed to help students connect their experience to their course work and relate the visits directly to career pathways, related skill requirements, and postsecondary educational options.

Why should students participate in job shadowing?

• Helps students “test drive” a career
• Provides an environment in which they can network with professionals
• Demonstrates the connections between academics and careers and helps students learn by making their class work more relevant
• Identifies the skills, qualities, training, and education needed to succeed on the job
• Builds community partnerships between schools and businesses that enhance the educational experience of all students
• Introduces students to the requirements of professions and industries to help them prepare to join the workforce of the 21st century
• Encourages an ongoing relationship between young people and caring adults

Who can participate?

Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to complete a career/job shadow.

What are the benefits?

• Provide a real-world learning environment

• Provide opportunities to apply to classroom learning
• Provide real-life interactions with employees and employers
• Requires minimal time commitment to determine overall interest
• Build your resume

How do I start?!?

See Mrs. Stevers for a Job Shadow Application and Job Shadow Parent Permission form.  Mrs. Stevers' office is located in the School Counseling Office.

 What careers can I shadow?

Job Shadow Packet

A mock interview, also known as a practice interview, is a simulation of an actual job or college interview. It provides students with an opportunity to practice for an interview and receive feedback.

Our mock interviews will help students learn how to answer difficult questions, develop interview strategies, improve their communication skills and reduce their stress before an actual job or college interview.

Mock interviews are an ideal way to practice for real job interviews because you are in a situation that mirrors an actual interview with a company or college. When you review your interview with the interviewer, you'll be able to modify your responses and interview behavior, if necessary.

Be sure to take your mock interview as seriously as you would an actual interview. Get ready for the interview just as you would for an interview with a hiring manager or college representative:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early, and bring your resume and any other materials you would bring to a real interview.
• Bring a notebook to take notes on what your mock interviewer tells you.
• Dress in professional interview attire.

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills - What Skills Matter Most?

There are two types of skills required to do a job well - Hard Skills and Soft Skills.
Hard Skills - Specific knowledge and abilities required to be successful in a job.
Soft Skills - Attributes and personality traits that affect interpersonal interactions and while different, are also as important as hard skills in the workforce.

Employers seek candidates with both types of skills. If you do not have the soft skills, it may not matter how well you are educated or how competent you are in your field. It is important to have people skills to get along in any job, not just those directly working with the public. 

Click the link below to learn how to improve your soft skills.
9 Ways to Enhance Your Soft Skills 

• Examples of hard skills:
  • Computer Skills
  • Web design
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical skills
  • Other quantifiable skills that are required for a specific job
• Examples of soft skills:
  • Communication Skills***** #1 soft skill that most employers are looking for****
  • Team Work
  • Problem-Solving 
  • Leadership
  • Flexibility
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Time Management
  • Assertiveness
  • Creativity
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Negotiation skills

Soft Skills Brochure