Learning a Trade, Preparing for a Career

Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation as the population ages and health care needs increase. Vo-tech education prepares teens for employment and further education in this challenging and rewarding field. Today's vo-tech students can learn practical skills, obtain health care certifications, and even earn college credit. This unique resource enables readers to make informed choices about paths to a health care career, focusing on secondary offerings such as magnet schools, career academies, schools-within-a-school, and other options. Armed with this valuable information, teens can start on the road to a successful health care career today.

Careers in the field of business vary widely and attract students with many different skill sets and interests. Through vo-tech programs, students can begin exploring business opportunities in high school and honing the skills, they will need to one day succeed in the field. Office experience goes hand-in-hand with classroom learning in such programs, providing students with a thorough grounding in everything from accounting and finance basics to the latest technologies used in e-business. Readers will learn how a vo-tech business program can give them a leg up before pursuing a business career or further education.

Many students are coming to realize that traditional four-year colleges do not necessarily lead to gainful employment after graduation and, therefore, do not always make good financial sense. Vocational and technical education, on the other hand, provides practical skills training, real-world experience, professional certification and contacts, and a direct pathway to jobs and careers. Readers are introduced to the exciting and enriching learning opportunities afforded by vo-tech and CTE programs at the high school and postsecondary levels in manufacturing, mechanics, and automotive care. Areas of specialization, certifications, job descriptions, career pathways, resume and interviewing skills, and career-building techniques and strategies are all emphasized.

Careers in technical education (CTE), also known as vo-tech careers, are believed to be among the best options for increasing students' future earning power. Architecture and construction are areas that fall clearly within the CTE/vo-tech category. This volume prepares young people who are interested in specific architectural and construction fields, such as electronics, architectural woodworking, and heavy equipment operation. Readers also learn about designing their own CTE programs as well as what to do once they're out of high school. This title is an invaluable roadmap for young people looking for a promising future in these areas.

Think a welcoming smile and an outgoing personality are all one needs to succeed in hospitality and tourism? Guess again. Hard work, preparation, and training are necessary as well. What isn't required is a four-year college degree. Learning and hands-on training for hospitality and tourism careers can start in high school, and continue after graduation through vocational education and certification. This book prepares readers for work as chefs, hotel desk clerks, adventure tour guides, and so much more.

Whether people are inspired by events such as 9/11 or the simple desire to help others, or they want to start in on a meaningful career without going to a four-year college, vo-tech careers in law, public safety, corrections, and security are more popular than ever. This volume offers readers an overview of some of the major career options in these fields, as well as the vo-tech training available. Interviews with people working in these fields offer realistic insight and frank descriptions of the work's pros and cons. Readers will also learn about different job qualifications, training, and other preparation they should consider.

The need for social workers, counselors, and other human service employees is growing nationwide. These workers help people who are facing challenging circumstances and require outside support. Teens interested in jobs related to family services and human needs now have vocational-technical options for career-related education and training. In fact, while they are still in high school, students can start learning about and preparing for employment in human services. This title explores vo-tech paths to careers in early childhood services, counseling and mental health services, and family and community services. Clear text informs students about their options, and photos capture real-life work in the field.

Thanks to the pervasive use of computers, cell phones, and various hand-held devices, information technology is a hot career field. Packed with pertinent information on the benefits of vocational training, this handy guide reveals how readers can become IT professionals. Included are tips for career preparation while in high school and vo-tech and certification resources. Real-world examples, derived from interviews with workers in the field, provide the voice of experience that today's students--and tomorrow's workers--crave.