Curious about what career might be a good fit for you? Discover your skills and learn how to share your talents with prospective employers through this 4-H project area! Explore the careers in fields that interest you or that are related to your other 4-H projects, learn how to network, and hone your interview skills with the help of 4-H adult helpers and club leaders.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn how to identify their skill sets and talk about transferable skills from other projects or fields
- Understand networking and how it can help with a job search
- Create a resume or portfolio to communicate their skills with prospective employers
- Practice interviewing and interview etiquette
4-H Career Exploration Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Build Your Future Youth Notebook
From exploring potential jobs to starting their own business, the “Build Your Future” curriculum helps teens develop skills and knowledge in career exploration. Participants experience a variety of learning methods including developing a business plan, competing in a quiz bowl, creating a portfolio, analyzing case studies, and discussing questions that reflect on their experiences.
Build Your Future Facilitator Guide
This project is for 4-H members who are preparing for their first paid jobs. Activities cover everything from making a good first impression to managing your money, including applying, getting references, creating a resume, and interviewing. Even your social media posts can affect your job prospects!
The LEAP (Learning Experiences Action Plan) curriculum was developed to help youth understand various career opportunities in several career clusters. The curriculum includes 4 parts:
Part A: Youth discover and work with 12 foundational skills, including communication, problem solving, and critical thinking, that are important to any career.
Part B: Youth learn about entrepreneurship, as it can apply to every career!
Part C: Youth delve into the career fields, exploring career opportunities and the skills necessary to be successful in that field. Related 4-H curricula is identified for each of the career fields.
Part D: Youth design their own Learning Experiences Action Plan (LEAP).
Do you have a job or plan to get one soon? Welcome to the world of work! Learn how to make the most of the experience by working with your boss, taking initiative, resolving conflict, receiving feedback, and more. With the right approach, your job experiences will help you grow into a respected and valued employee. You’re Hired! is designed for members at the advanced level, preferably those who have or will soon have their own jobs. A volunteer position or an unpaid internship qualifies as a job as well!
All your experience comes together in this project created for those exploring cooking as a profession or simply developing their kitchen skills. Plan, prepare, and present delicious food like the culinary boss you want to be. Focus is on cooking methods, becoming familiar with tools and equipment, and experimenting with ingredients and flavors.
Work Ready Life Skills Curriculum
The purpose of the Purdue Extension Work Ready program is to teach life skills necessary to increase the number of qualified applicants for the job openings in the United States.
The Work Ready curriculum can help address this growth by preparing applicants who have less experience and education to fill these jobs.
This curriculum is design for high school students and displaced adult workers.
Here, There, Ag Careers Everywhere
Career opportunities in agriculture are everywhere, including in places you may not know about. Explore your interests and talents to find your best fit in the working world outside of traditional production farming. There is a rewarding Ag career for you!
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Planning a Vocational or Technical Career
There are many paths towards a successful and rewarding career. Some students decide to attend college and some students pursue careers that don’t require a college degree. Instead, they opt into the military, obtain a vocational certification, or enter the workforce directly after high school. Each of these career options is equally important in our society today.
In this activity, you’ll learn about careers you can pursue right out of high school, and be able to consider if any might be a good fit for you, based on your skills and interests. Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Financial Literacy Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Michigan State University Extension’s Adulting 101 programs help high school students demystify the obscure reality of being an “adult” through engaging educational sessions. Each session is packed full of important life skills and tools necessary to live independently. Topics include: money management, community engagement, conflict resolution, career and future education, home skills and more.
In addition to sessions, MSU Extension’s robust website provides additional information for participants to further explore Adulting 101 topic areas.
Workforce Readiness – National 4-H
It’s painfully clear that while talented kids are everywhere, opportunities to find fulfilling and productive careers are not. 4-H is committed to tackling this career opportunity gap by infusing career connections and skill building in areas like communication, critical thinking, and resilience into all our programs. We are also committed to expanding access to in-demand skills like computer science and engineering in underserved communities across the country.
Planning a Vocational or Technical Career
There are many paths towards a successful and rewarding career. Some students decide to attend college and some students pursue careers that don’t require a college degree. Instead, they opt into the military, obtain a vocational certification, or enter the workforce directly after high school. Each of these career options is equally important in our society today.
In this activity, you’ll learn about careers you can pursue right out of high school, and be able to consider if any might be a good fit for you, based on your skills and interests.
Workforce and Career Development Resources – NAE4-HYDP
Workforce Development and Career Exploration Working Group Resources
Youth Business Guide to Success: Make the Most of Your 4-H Market Animal Project – Michigan 4-H
Most young people in 4-H market animal projects are focused on basic animal science, care and management. But market animal projects also have the potential to teach youth valuable life skills.
Through this curriculum, youth will gain knowledge about marketing and advertising their products. Participants will also explore and practice production, management and distribution skills. In addition, it provides a venue to explore what it takes to be successful in business and view the world of animal science and agribusiness as a viable career option.
What is a Direct Support Professional? – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth learn about jobs involving working with people who have disabilities, including the rewarding and challenging aspects of a direct support professional (DSP). Includes watching and discussing a realistic job preview (RJP) video.
From Higher Education Institutions
Empowering Volunteers to Incorporate Workforce Readiness into 4-H Programs – University of Maryland
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Lemonade Day is a fun, experiential program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their very own business – a lemonade stand. Each year, in participating cities, youth have the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship. Lemonade Day programs exist in both Kittitas and Yakima Counties.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Career Development and Exploration Curriculum Collection
National 4-H Entrepreneurship Curriculum Collection
National 4-H Leadership Curriculum Collection
Did you know that rural areas are experiencing shortages of qualified STEM workers who can provide vital services to often under-resourced areas? That’s why HughesNet and 4-H have teamed up to share activities and information about STEM careers across the country. Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.
Young Worker Health & Safety Course
This course is made for working teens, or those who are about to enter the workplace for the first time. These three activities will help you learn to navigate common emotional, social, and physical challenges so that you can be strong and safe in your role. Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.