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of resources online for researching salary data. The BLS collects salary data from all over the country which it publishes on its Occupational Employment Statistics page (bls.gov/oes) . You can also find data at salary.com and glassdoor.com Explore by Location. Some people prepare for a career based on location. If you’ve always dreamed of living in the Rocky Mountains, best not set your career goals on the maritime industry. If you have your heart set on living in a particular place, research the largest employers and industries in that area. Set your career education goals to maximize your employability there. Cluster Maps. There are plenty of good career exploration sites online, but do you know there is a convenient way to find all of this important information — industry, average salary, and location — in one place? If you’ve read The 21st Century Student’s Guide to Financial Literacy – Going Global you already know a little about the U.S. Cluster Mapping Project (www.clustermapping.us). The U.S. Cluster map is interactive and provides all sorts of data useful for searching and exploring careers from many different aspects. You can use the cluster map to find out what types of jobs are popular and in demand in the places you want to live, and what the average wages are. A cluster map is even useful in your college search. If you are interested in a particular field or college major, consider attending a college near a cluster of potential employers. Cluster maps are awesome career resources. III. Decision: How Much Education? The Education Advantage. A good education is a first and very important step on your quest for financial stability and wealth. In Chapter One, we explored some of the the financial advantages of a college degree. Over a lifetime, a college graduate stands to make almost a million dollars more than someone with only a high school diploma. In the corporate world, a person’s skills, education, and experience are referred to as human capital. By getting educated, you increase your human capital because you increase your knowledge and skills. The more knowledge and skills you have, the higher your economic value. To maximize your human capital, you must continue your education after high school. The advantages of a college education include, among other things, increased earnings potential and career advancement. Career Advancement. Most jobs in the best paying industries now require a college education. Without one, it’s very hard to compete with other applicants. The better paying (and more interesting) positions go to college graduates. You’re facing at least 50 years in the workforce before retirement. Without a college education, or some level of formal postsecondary training, you are far more likely to be stuck in low level, low paying jobs. Imagine working a dead end job year after year, watching college graduates climb the career ladder ahead of you. If you think you can get to the top of the career ladder without a college education — you’d better think again. PRODUCT PREVIEW Big Health Care The health industry is the biggest industry in the U.S., meaning it employs the most people nationwide in hospitals, labs, clinics, and other patient care and research facilities. Fin Lit Trivia Fin Lit Trivia Fin Lit
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Chapter 3 | A Job That Pays
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