How to Identify 5 Key Topics for a Youth's Success

Some of you are still in high school, some in college, some working full time jobs, part time jobs, working in a career, sitting at home bumming out, etc. You live in a very competitive world when it comes to the workforce arena, employers have dozens, if not hundreds of candidates to choose from when attempting to fulfill their labor needs. That’s why we teach so much about how you dress, talk, completing an application, the importance of volunteering, being a super employee and all that. We’re trying to prepare you for the reality of life that’s before. Here are some major key items that I’ve learned from working (34 years) and working with youth (20 years).

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A youth that wants to succeed in life.
• One adult who'll invest in the youth's life.
• A community that will offer real assistance to our young people.

1. Do Your Research Do Your Research. Know what careers are “hot”. Go through the “Choices” or “Bridges” computer assessment, or whatever program your school is utilizing and see which matches for your interest and careers are available. Which college/vocational school/military field do you pursue? Dig and keep digging to get all the facts. Don't be pressured to come up with the MAIN job title that is your goal; rather, think about which career cluster you're interested in: medical, tech, construction, etc. There's a web link I can send you that discusses clusters. Look for job shadowing opportunities and interview some people who are working in the career you want to pursue.
2. Make a Plan Make a Plan. Which classes in high school do you need to take? Is it a two year vocational school? Which college offers the degree you need? Lay out a one year, 3 year, 5 year plan. Sure it will change and need to be adjusted. However, I’ve found that youth who have a plan, seem to make less mistakes that hinder them from obtaining their goals. Go deep on your planning, sub-points, etc. Identify obstacles to overcome and each step that is needed to ensure success. START NOW in developing your "life picture". There will be several pieces of the puzzle...start identifying what will describe your life. I actually have blank puzzles that I give students to help them start this concept.
3. Make Good Decisions Make Good Decisions. One split second decision to participate in some activity can not only affect your immediate future, but your whole life. Not that making mistakes deems you hopeless, it just adds more barriers that have to be overcome. Unexpected children, criminal activities, drug use, an act of anger…I’ve counseled with youth and adults who wished they could go back and adjust one decision they made. When faced with a decision, consider, “how will this affect my plan?”
4. Take Advantage of Opportunities Take Advantage of Opportunities. Examine all the opportunities within your school and others in your community (church, scouts, 4-H, volunteer, etc.) We live in the richest country, with the most resources than any other country in the whole world…yet many youth do not access the resources available to them. The college funding, the alternative education choices, etc. There are dozens of resources for youth to tap into today.
5. Excel. Whatever you’re doing (school, job, etc.)…excel, exceed the job description, pursue excellence! It’s going to pay off considering so many in the workforce settle for average or some mediocre standard. I started at the bottom at several locations, within months, I was promoted above others due to my dedication to excel.

Tips & Warnings

• Success Comes. Not necessarily to those who have great upbringings, but to those people who do the above steps.
• When success comes: celebrate! But also use your successes to help others achieve. It’s not what you gain that counts, it how you benefit those around you that real success is measured. Then you begin to experience a life of significance (future article to be written about this).
• Or, hey, you can do nothing, make no-brainer mistakes and in five years wonder why things are not working out.
• It takes less to prepare, than repair your life…you’ll do one or the other!