Essential Career Terms
Moving from high school into college, trade school, military, or the workforce.
What is career transition (from high school to a career).
A tailored, single-page summary of your academic background, skills, work experience, and accomplishments used to apply for positions.
What is a resume?
This should be something you like enough to do for a number of years and pay enough to meet your needs
What is a career?
XX DAILY DOUBLE XX - Core beliefs and priorities that dictate what type of work environment, company culture, and work-life balance will bring you satisfaction.
What are work values?
You need to make a career plan and decide your career pathway after deciding this.
What is a career goal?
Total non-wage compensation offered by an employer, such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
What are employee benefits?
A typical job for teenagers, you must be "fast."
What is fast food?
XX DAILY DOUBLE XX - Post-secondary programs focused on hands-on, specialized skills for specific trades (such as electrician, plumber, or welder) that often lead directly into employment.
What is trade school (or vocational/technical training)?
Natural talents or learned skills that you perform exceptionally well in a school or work environment.
What are strengths (or abilities)?
The goal-setting framework that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
What are SMART goals?
XX DAILY DOUBLE XX - Work performed on a short-term basis—often for college or high school credit or entry-level experience—to gain real industry skills.
What is an internship?
XX DAILY DOUBLE XX - The process of deliberately building mutually beneficial professional relationships to discover job opportunities and gain industry insights. (could be online or in-person)
What is networking?
Training you receive when you work under an experienced, highly trained employee. Can last for weeks, months, or even years.
What is a registered apprenticeship?
A practical self-check where you evaluate what you enjoy doing, what you are good at, and what fields are actually hiring.
What is a career self-assessment? (or career test, vocational evaluation, interest inventory, skills assessment)
A part-time job or casual work held to earn extra money or gain experience while you study or train for your future career.
What is a part-time job?
Interpersonal traits—like communication, punctuality, and teamwork—that determine how well you work with others.
What are soft skills (or professional skills)?
A structured meeting where someone asks you about your abilities, career path and potential job responsibilities.
What is an interview?
An academic degree typically completed in two years at a community college that can either enter the workforce directly or transfer to a university. Columbus State Community College offers these.
What is an Associate degree (A.A. or A.S.)?
Finding a career path that matches your unique combination of personality, values, and natural talents.
What is career fit (or alignment)?
A career plan may take many ___________ before you reach it.
What is years? (or attempts)
Most often, this is the first major purchase someone uses money from their new job/career on?
A license, vehicle, registration, gas money.
The practice of curating your online presence, social media accounts, and digital footprint to reflect a professional identity to recruiters.
What is personal branding (will accept branding, professional online presence, or digital footprint)
The concept of continuous, voluntary self-directed education throughout one's career to keep pace with changing industry demands and AI technologies.
What is lifelong learning (or professional development, continuing education, continuous learning, adult education)
The official form (like FAFSA) required to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study funds for post-secondary education (college or trade schools).
What is financial aid application / Student Aid Index (FAFSA)
A structured 1-year to 5-year post-graduation roadmap outlining the education, skills, and milestones needed to reach your target job.
What is a career plan or career pathway.