Employment Planning
Tips for Getting and Keeping a Job
Remember that school is your most important job! However, it's best to start early if you can balance a job with your school work. The best way to show a future employer that you will be a good employee is to show that you already have experience being a good employee! Through your Tech Center classes, you've learned lots about how to be professional. Use it!
Everyone has to start somewhere. Get a starter job - and try to get one that uses your skills if you have them. Another option is to start your own business! You can mow lawns, baby/pet/house-sit, fix computers/phones, etc. Use your strengths!
A good recommendation from an employer can open doors for your future - it's a small world and word travels. Make sure the word about you is good!
Get your driver's license, then make good decisions so you can keep it. You'll need that license to get to work, and you don't want to have to pay extra for insurance because of problems with your record. Plus, some jobs require that you have a license and a clean driving record. Follow the rules of the road and remember that your choices can have major effects on your life. Be honest with yourself about distractions like passengers and your phone. Avoid them or manage them wisely.
As a senior at CTC, you'll have extra skills and knowledge that give you an edge on the competition. Get a job, internship, or clinical placement in your area of interest and skills, as soon as possible. Sometimes those part-time jobs can become full-time jobs once you graduate! Be sure to talk about your skills in your interviews and cover letter. Tell the employer why you are the best person for the job.
Join the CTC Alumni Association when you graduate so you can hear about job opportunities! The best way to do so is to join the Facebook group.
You never know who may be a valuable link to the perfect job or training program for you: teachers, counselors, industry professionals, customers at your job, your parents' friends, your friends' parents, neighbors and so on! So always be networking, and always try to leave people with a positive impression of you. Having the right recommendation can make all the difference!
Many businesses offer opportunities to help you further your education while you are working with them. They hope you will become an even more valuable employee by learning new skills, so they might change your schedule so you can attend classes, or even help you financially to cover the cost of tuition. Talk to your supervisor or someone in the Human Resources department for more information about what your employer can do for you.