Choosing a Career

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December 2008

This edition of eJournal USA rambles down the many varied paths that Americans take on their way to find their life's work. Professionals in various fields explain how they got there, and some wrong turns they made along the way. Experts describe how young people can weigh and explore the options before them.

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Diversity

Offering a place for everyone

Inside This Publication

Volume 13, Number 12

From the Editors

About This Issue

Making Decisions

What You Offer the World
A renowned life-planning expert gives advice on how to look at yourself to identify your skills and strengths.
Culture Affects Career and Life-Planning
An expert explains different cultural views of life and career planning.
A Tribute to Dirty, Difficult, Dangerous Jobs
An interview with television host Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs who discusses the value of dirty work and the qualities of the people who do it.
Choosing a Career in Changing Times
New technologies and economic restructuring have created a different environment for career selection and job-hunting.
Giving Public Service, Gaining a Career
Participants in Americorps, the national youth service program, discover skills and gain experience that help them choose a career path.
Getting to College
The nongovernmental organization College Summit is working in 10 states to give promising secondary school students a boost into college.

Personal Paths

A River Runs To It
An outdoors writer describes how nature called him to a career.
Chili, Hot Dogs, and the Family Legacy
Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C., is a family business that has been passed to a second generation dedicated to customers and community.
Making Memories to Make a Living
A former White House chef explains his love for the hospitality industry.
A Gamer Goes to “The Darkest of Days”
A videogame producer describes how he came to the dream job he didn't know he wanted.
Empowering a Community
A member of the U.S. Congress recalls her experience in Volunteers in Service to America in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Every Call Is Different
A female firefighter left a career as an electronics engineer to take up work in emergency services.
Open Your Eyes
A veteran of College Summit recalls the experience.
A Journey of Revisions
A physician-novelist explains why she must pursue two careers.

Words of Wisdom

Congraduations, Dude

The following are excerpts from four graduation speeches delivered by prominent people. "Congraduations" is a mash-up word, combining "congratulations" and "graduation."

Additional Resources

Further Information

Books, articles, Web sites, and films on choosing a career.

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