The next time you have an opportunity to speak with a teenager, ask a few questions about how they view their career future.  According to Stanford University psychologist William Damon and his students, who conducted a survey of 1,200 young people between the ages of 12 and 26 over a period of five years, a majority of young people are struggling as they move into adulthood.  (Click here to read the article and click here to access the chart)
 
Damon's research was based on the desire to determine how a sense of mission develops early in life.  We hear the terms "failure to launch" and "boomerang generation" that describe young people who return home after college rather than move out on their own and be economically self sufficient.   The average age today for economic independence is 29 years old.
 
Damon identified four distinct groups:
 
20% - The Purposeful: Those who have found something meaningful to dedicate themselves to, who have sustained this interest over time, and who express a clear sense of what they are trying to accomplish in the world and why.
 
30% - The Dabblers: Youth who may have tried a number of potentially purposeful pursuits but who have yet to find reason to commit to any of them.
 
25% - The Dreamers: Those who can imagine themselves doing great things in the world but who have yet to do anything to pursue their ideas in a practical way.
 
25% - The Disengaged: Young people who have neither a purpose in life nor an inclination to find one.
 
Vital Link supports Damon's suggestion that the adults in a young persons life can assist them to develop a sense of purpose by helping them identify their interests.  Help youth explore career options, introduce them to career guidance mentors and provide them with opportunities to experience future career possibilities.

 

 

 

Some of the students who toured the Fullerton College Manufacturing Technologies Department had never been on a college campus before and were surprised with what they saw during their visit.  Many said they now could see themselves going there after they graduate from high school.  The unknown suddenly became accessible in their eyes and they found a career and education path they really wanted to know more about.
 
The Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies (CACT) based at the North Orange County Community College District sponsored the field trip.  The students  toured the Fullerton College Manufacturing Technologies Departments, including the Construction, Architecture, Manufacturing, Printing, Welding and Automotive areas. While learning about the various programs, students were given the opportunity to see the technology involved in each area.

 

In addition to the tour, some of the students met with business representatives to discuss career options and the workforce demand.  They asked questions such as "Can you describe the entry-level positions your company has for someone going into the industry for the first time?" and "What single piece of advice would you give me to increase my chances for success in this industry after leaving high school?".  Fullerton College was represented with booths providing information about the CACT, Manufacturing Technologies Programs, financial aid, and college registration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love Sports?  Don't have the skills to make the team but really want to work in the sports industry?  These are questions facing a number of students who want a career in sports but have talents in areas other than athletics.  The event was hosted by the Newport Sports Museum which provided the backdrop for students to explore the options.  A student from Los Alamitos High School said that he learned "That you don't have to be a genius, just be willing to put in the work."

 

The day's activities included hearing presentations from members of the Angels Community Relations and Entertainment Departments, Lindsay McHolm and Heather Capizzi, as well as Candice Jacobson from Leader Enterprises, a Public Relations firm.  Pete Arbogast, the announcer for USC Football and Women's Basketball, Alan Vogel from California Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy and Dr. Aaron Rubin, the Director of Sports Medicine at Kaiser Permanente, inspired the students with their presentations. Representatives from Golden West College's Video Broadcast program, Cal State Long Beach, and Santa Ana College were available to talk to students about their programs.
 
An important part of the Career Exploration Program is to help students meet role models and make connections with industry professionals.   An instructor who brought her students from Westchester High School in Los Angeles said the event benefited her students because they met "Real People" doing the jobs her students have heard about. 
 
Vital Link Career Exploration programs help students learn career-related life lessons as expressed by an Orange High School student who said they learned "To never give up. If you really want to pursue a career in sports, just go for it."  
 

 

  

 

Vital Link's Career Exploration Center is ready to move from the Exploratory Phase into the Planning Phase.  We invite you to join the Target 360 Campaign and be a part of the Career Exploration Center, a project that will revolutionize the Career Exploration process. 
 
We are aksing you to be one of 360 individuals or businesses that donate $100 or more to the campaign.  As a Fouding Member of the Target 360 Campaign, you will be a part of a project that will transform the Career Exploration process.  You will be included in special recognition events and other Career Exploration Center activities. 
  
"Vital Link's vision to provide Orange County with a state-of-the-art center to foster Careers by Choice, Not Chance is an idea worth pursuing."  
                                                  Bill Habermehl, Orange County Superintendent of Schools
 
                You can make a difference in the lives of our community's youth and help 
                                         Connect Students to Their Future.
 
                                 Click here to Join the Target 360 team today!
 

Vital Link

P.O. Box 12064, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
 949-646-2520

E-mail:  Kathy@vitallinkoc.org
 

We appreciate your tax-deductible gift.
 

 

 

If you are interested in supporting Vital Link through a donation, the organization is currently looking for the following items: