Youth in the USA - Framework for Growing Up in the U.S.

Finding a job is often a challenge for youth in the United States. Young people must deter - mine what careers are available, what their ac - tual interests are, and what skills they have or need to develop within an employment system that is often not easy to navigate. Many tools and resources that allow young people to ex - plore job opportunities come from the educa - tion system. However, there are also youth-fo - cused non-profit organizations that work with schools or other community organizations to provide youth with employment resources. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsors two resources that help youth identify potential career pathways. One of them is Career One- Stop , which is a website that provides a range of career-exploration help such as up-to-date information on job salary and benefit informa - tion along with related education and training opportunities. The website also has job search tools, resumes, and interview resources, in ad - dition to people and local institutions to help jobseekers virtually. Further, the Department of Labor runs the American Job Centers (AJCs), also known as OneStop Centers , which provide job referrals, counseling, and other supportive

services to help with both job search and loca - tion of local training and education resources and opportunities. Transition into Employment Youth in the United States are usually able to explore various academic and extracurricular interests while in school. In college, they may not declare their major until their second year of college and can take different classes to help them decide what they would like to pur - sue. This allows youth some flexibility to figure out their career path. Students who pursue vocational career paths have less flexibility and receive a more specia - lized training that directs them into one spe - cific career trajectory. However, there is ge - nerally less rigidity in the education system in regard to youth having a set path compared to other countries. Overall, youth pursue careers in teaching and education, nursing and medicine, law, film, graphic design, computer science, enginee - ring, service and hospitality, and more. Howe -

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