Career+Narrataive

__**How to write a career narrative:**__
 * In the first paragraph, state your first career choice and explain 3 to 5 reasons why you have chosen this career. Be sure to describe the work tasks, personal skills, and any other factors that support the reasons for your choice. A possible topic sentence would be: "After carefully considering my skills, interests, and values; I have decided my first choice of career plans would be to become a _____________."


 * In the second paragraph, tell of any of your experiences (school courses, job-shadowing, reports, informational interviews, career fairs etc.) that relate to your career choice. A possible topic sentence could be: "I have already taken steps to achieve my goal."


 * In the third paragraph tell the steps you need to take before being qualified for this career. Tell of any course work, degrees, volunteer work, contacts, certification or licensure, apprenticeship etc. you will need to complete before being a candidate for this career choice. A possible topic sentence could be: "I will need to do more before reaching my goal."


 * In the fourth paragraph, state your second career choice and explain 2 - 3 reasons why you feel it would be a good choice for you. A possible topic sentence could be: "If my first plan does not work for me, I would like to become a ______________."


 * In the fifth paragraph, tell of any qualifications or experiences you already have that would help you in this second career path.

In the sixth paragraph tell of any training, experiences, certification, internships, or contacts you will need yet to do to achieve Plan B.

Examples of career narratives:

**Example One** I love physics. It interests me to no end. I make up physics problems to solve while I'm talking on the phone, my reading list usually includes a few non-fiction physics books, and I visit physics web sites online for fun. I even wrote a program on my calculator that calculates time relative to my velocity. Given that physics fills much of my free time already, it makes sense that I would pursue a career in the field of physics. After high school, I will be attending the Ohio State University and majoring in physics. I believe this is an excellent field for me, not only because I love the subject, but also because I have an aptitude for science and math. On my ACT, my highest scoring section was on the science section, on which I missed one question. A later review of my answer revealed that I missed that question because I misread it, not because I didn't understand it. Every interest assessment I have ever taken has pointed me toward science and research. During the summer of 1998, I worked at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in a physics lab, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. In school, I almost always tutor in math or science (usually, in the one I'm taking at the moment), and if I'm not actually tutoring, I'm helping classmates with homework assignments. In fact, people have gotten into the habit of looking to me as an "answer key" when the answers isn't available. All this leads me to believe that I could do preety well in the field of physics. I would love to do research, and to do what I know I will need to get a Ph.D. in physics, at the very least. Most research jobs, I've learned, are either in universities or the government, and I would prefer to work at a university, so my goal is to become a professor eventually. Of course, there is a possibility, however slim, that I might get to college and discover that I hate physics with a passion. In that case, I will remain in college and fall back onto one of my other passions. I'm heavily interested in philosophy, music, computer science, and I can see myself in a career in any of those fields should physics fail me. I would just switch my major and try a new path. It makes sense for me to remain in college for a bit because, as of now, I have enough scholarships to pay for at least four years, so there's no sense in dropping out if physics doesn't work. Overall, this not only gives me a Plan B, but a Plan C and D as well. I definitely have a college oriented future. I intend to stay with physics, but, as I have shown, I have quite a few other majors I could switch to and still pursue an enjoyable, interesting, and personally satisfying career after college. **Example Two** When I graduate from Trimble High School, I plan to obtain a bachelors degree in accounting at Ohio University's college of business. I have always enjoyed filling out forms and completing computations. When I established myself in the working world I want to be in an office, perferably my own. I am a person who would rather work alone than with others, this way I know what I'm doing is going to get done. When my family's life insurance or car insurance form have to be completed, I am usually the one who does them. I do this partly because I like to do that kind of work, but mostly because my parents do not have the time. As of now I have taken steps that will help me to obtain my goals. I have taken classes such as General Business, Pre-calculus and other advanced college preparatory math classes. I have interned at Larry Conrath Realty and the Athens County Treasurer's office. Throughout my internship with Larry Conrath Realty I was exposed to many different sides of the business. I helped with the payroll, and spent many hours on data entry and updating files. During my interning period at the treasurer's office I learned many valuable skills. I balanced real estate and trailer payments on a regular basis, and also completed data entry. My highest ASVAB scores were in Mathematics Knowledge(97) and Arithmetic Reasoning(91). My second CDM assessment shows that my capabilities are mathematical, leadership and computational. It also shows that I am most interested in business and office operations. This very same assessment also shows my career cluster to be Management, Sales, and Data Analysis. On my first testing experience, I scored a 24 on my ACT. If I should not find the accounting program at Ohio University to be what I wnat, I will persue something in the range of business administrations or financing. I consider myself to be a good, hard worker. I am also able to work well with other people. I can do just about anything I put my mind to. I have always been interested in accounting and thought, and I plan on achieving my first goal, to be an accountant. **Example Three** CAREER NARRATIVE Ivona B. Anurse After carefully studying my interests, skills, and experiences, I have decided that my first career choice is to become a registered nurse. I believe I would be good for this position because I would like to work to promote health and to help patients cope with illness. I would observe patients and carry out medical treatments, use computerized equipment to monitor patients’ vital signs, and record my observations and other medical data in patients’ charts. I would also consult with medical staff about ways to prevent infection and sometimes write and manage patient care plans. Most jobs in this field would be in hospitals, in doctors' offices, and in nursing homes. They work in public health facilities such as government agencies and schools. They also take care of patients in their homes as they recover from illness or accidents. I would enjoy working in any of these environments.

I have already taken steps to achieve my goal. During my sophomore year I had the opportunity to work with computer programs that matched my interests, skills and values to a variety of careers. Through job shadowing and informational interviewing, I narrowed my career choices. I considered the requirements for getting into a four year program and a two year program. This experience also helped me decide on the high school courses I would need to take to become prepared to enter a program in this field. We also spent time looking for institutions near here that would offer this major. I have had the opportunity to conduct informational interviews and job shadow with RNs from Miami Valley Hospital. I am looking forward to going to college and learning more.

To achieve my goal I have three training options for becoming a registered nurse. One, I can earn an associate’s degree in nursing (A.D.N.). Community colleges offer these two year programs. Two, I can earn a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (B.S.N.). Colleges and universities offer these four year programs. Three, I can earn a diploma. Hospitals offer these two to three year programs. Any of these types of programs will qualify me for entry-level positions. However, I must also pass national and state exams. I would like to earn a bachelor’s degree because nurses with a B.S.N. have more options for jobs. I could start my course of study at a two year college and then I could go on and earn a four year degree. I will still need to make some college visits to determine the best course of action for me.

If for some reason I do not achieve my first career goal, I would like to become a radiographer. I want to help people in any career I go into, but this career will not only help the patient, but it will also help the doctor detect the problem. The type of equipment radiographers work with are x-ray film, measuring instruments, patient records, x-ray reports. safety equipment, and doctor's directions. Most of the radiographers work in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices.

I have already taken steps to achieve this goal by spending much time with the Kuder Career Exploration program and OCIS. These computer programs helped me find careers that were closely related to my interests and values such as working with and helping people. I have adjusted my high school courses so that I will have the background courses I need to pursue a major in this field. I still need to have a job-shadowing experience in this area which I hope I will be able to do my senior year.

I will need to take further steps to reach my goal. Required training is offered in hospitals, colleges, universities, and the military. Programs range in length from one to four years and lead to a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. Most states require radiographers to be licensed. **Example Four**