9781422276624

7 career academies. (Currently, for instance, one in four students concentrates on a vocational or technical program.) For each profile, the best ways for high school students to prepare are featured in a “Start Preparing Now” section. For readers who are called to serve in the armed forces, this decision also provides an opportunity to step into a range of careers. Every branch of the armed forces, from the army to the coast guard, offers training in areas including administrative, construction, electron- ics, health care, and protective services. One volume of Careers in Demand for High School Graduates is devoted to careers that can be reached with military training. These range from personnel specialist to aircraft mechanic. Beyond military options, other entry-level careers provide job seekers with an opportu- nity to test-drive a career without a huge commitment. Compare the ease of switching from being a bank teller to a sales representative, for instance, with that of investing three years and tens of thousands of dollars into a law school education, only to discover a dislike for the profession. This series offers not only a look at related careers, but also ways to advance in the field. Another section, “Finding a Job,” provides job-hunting tips specific to each career. This in- cludes, for instance, advice for teacher assistants to develop a portfolio of their work. As it turns out, employers of entry-level workers aren’t looking for degrees and academic achievements. They want employability skills: a sense of responsibility, a willingness to learn, discipline, flex- ibility, and above all, enthusiasm. Luckily, with 100 jobs profiled in Careers in Demand for High School Graduates , finding the perfect one to get enthusiastic about is easier than ever. p  A computer support desk specialist needs to be good with computers and enjoy helping people.

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