The Hook-UP in Illinois

38 Pages·2009·3.42 MB·English

The Hook-UP in Illinois:
Making the CONNECTION Between HIGH SCHOOL &

Earning Power
Experience
Learning
Pride
Honor
Future

Self-
Discipline

Adventure Leadership

Supporting Yourself
Structure Independence
GAro Rwetsho u Crche afonr Ygoeu ng People Exploring Peaceful
Possibilities for Their Future: Focus on Illinois

Serving Your
!

AFSC Great Lakes Region 2009
Country
Helping your
Community
!
Living Your
Passion
MAKING THE CONNECTION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO A GREAT FUTURE:
A Resource for Young People Exploring Peaceful Possibilities for Their Future
Making the Connection is a resource for young people exploring peaceful possibilities for

their future. AFSC is a Quaker peace and justice organization. We believe that young
people often join the military because they believe there are no other alternatives. We have

created this guide to help young people see the full range of options available to them.

According to the National Priorities Project, Recruitment 2006, thirteen of the 100

counties that are most heavily recruited by the military are located in the Great Lakes

Region, two of which are in Illinois: Cook County and Lake County. This guide, while useful to

youth throughout IL, is most useful to young people in those two counties.

Published by: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

637 S. Dearborn, Ste. 3 Chicago, IL 60605 312/427-2533

http://www.afsc.org/chicago/truth-recruitment/default.htm

Project Coordinators: Darlene Gramigna and Kelly Vaughan

Compiled by: Kelly Vaughan with help from: Jessica Flores, Jesus Palafox, and Sheena

Gibbs.

To order, please contact Darlene Gramigna at 312/427-2533 or email

[email protected].

Please consider adopting a school by making a donation that would allow the distribution of

this booklet at a high school of your choice.

American Friends Service Committee’s Great Lakes Regional Office developed this regional

guide based on What’s Next, written and published by AFSC’s National Youth and

Militarism Program and Great Jobs, Careers, and Future written and published by AFSC’s

Pasadena Office and the Coalition Against Militarism in our Schools. The cover was

adapted from Pasadena’s Great Jobs, Careers, and Futures.

We have attempted to list resources that may be of use to young people; however, AFSC does not

endorse or guarantee any of the organizations or programs in this document. All information

contained in this publication is subject to changes by the

individual institutions offering the programs. If you need
fur ther information, or have suggestions that should be

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information paraphrased and excerpted

(in italics) from websites listed.

included in this publication, or if you want to support our
efforts in helping young people in their pursuit of nonviolent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
careers, please contact us at the above address.

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 2
Section One: Getting Started
 Getting Started p. 4
 Planning a Career p. 5
• In-Person Help p. 5
• Online Help p. 7
 Exploring the Possibilities p. 8
• Fastest Growing Occupations p. 8
• Illinois’ “Best Bet Jobs” p. 9
• Focus on Healthcare p. 10
• Training by Industry p. 12

Section Two: Training for the Future
 Finding Your Perfect College p. 13
 Private, Public, or Community? p. 14
• Community Colleges: p. 14
A Very Smart Place to Begin
• Selecting A College p. 15
• Paying for College p. 17
• Special Circumstances p. 19
 Finding Your Perfect Training Program p. 20
• Job Training Programs p. 20
• Trade Schools p. 27
• Apprenticeships and Internships p. 27
• Small Business Training p. 30

Section Three: Serving and Exploring
 Making a Difference in Your Community p. 33
 Living an Adventure During Your Gap Year p. 33

Section Four: Resources
 Searching for a Job p. 34
 Contacting the Organizations in This Document p. 35
 Questions for Military Recruiters p. 38
And The Answers They Should Give You!

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 3
SECTION ONE: GETTING STARTED
GETTING STARTED: WHAT’S NEXT?
You may almost be out of high school or preparing to make other life transitions. You’re
not sure what’s next, but you know you’re in for some changes—a temporary job, a new
school, even taking a year or two off from college or a career to explore.

Do you want to:
Have an adventure? Go to college? Earn money for college?
Serve your country or community? Try out a new career?

Making the Connection is designed to help high school students and other young adults
begin to explore peaceful possibilities for their future. This guide will list lots of ways to
get the advice, education, and experiences you need to find and keep rewarding, exciting,
and well-paid jobs and careers. We hope this guide will help you begin to see the many
choices around you; however, we strongly suggest that you also meet with a career
counselor at your high school, college, or adult school or seek out career counseling at a
local community organization for more information and to help plan next steps.

The Internet is a tool that will lead you to many, many opportunities. New choices come
up everyday! The public library is a great place to start. Most branches offer free classes
on how to use the Internet, as well as free Internet access. NOTE: Use your best
judgment when using the Internet: be cautious when giving out personal information,
even your email.

Remember: You do not need to decide right now what you want to do with your whole
life, but the decisions you make now can help you prepare for a career that will bring you
financial security and fulfillment.

PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY

When you’re making changes—from high school or something else—not knowing can be the
hardest part. It may help to:
 Get Help: Talking to career counselors or adults you trust can help you make good
decisions.
 Search the Internet: The Internet is a great resource. Many libraries and community
groups will let you use the Internet for free.
 Take Small Steps: When in doubt, make a smaller change instead of a huge leap.
 Find What’s Exciting to You: Reflect on what inspires you and what you feel passionate
about. Then, find a job that allows you to live your passion every day.
 Experiment: Test reality by taking action (take a class, apply for a job, get an internship).
 Surround Yourself with People Who Support You: Connect with people who believe in you,
provide healthy support, and provide constructive criticism.
AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 4
PLANNING A CAREER: YOU SHOULD KNOW!
TAKING THE MYSTERY OUT OF WHAT’S NEXT
It’s true most of the time that
Do you know now what career you want? If your answer you can just change jobs or
is, “No,” you’re not alone. It may help to think about your quit, but there is one major
interests, your skills, your education and training options, exception. If you decide to join
and your resources. Exploring all of your options is an the military, leaving can result
important first step down any path. If you need help, you’ll in a dishonorable discharge,
find resources for learning about jobs and careers. which could harm your future
employment opportunities.
Several free tools are online or at most job counselors’ Also, it is difficult to switch jobs
offices that can help you research careers and even in the military. So, if you train
learn about yourself and what kind of job you might enjoy. as a cook, don’t expect to
Please note, however, that while online tests can be switch to a computer tech
interesting and helpful to get you thinking about all of your later. And skills and
options, you are the ultimate expert on you. certifications you learn in the
military may have no civilian
IN-PERSON HELP counterpart once you leave the
military.
It’s best to talk with people who are “in the know.” In
addition to talking with your school counselors, people at
job fairs, ministers, parents or friends of parents, here
are a few government resources and community centers that may be able to help you.
Many of the community groups and job training sites found on pages 24-30 can help.

IL DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE SERVICES (IDES) www.ides.state.il.us/
The IL Department of Employee Services (IDES) has a great website that allows you to:
research different careers, find tips on writing a resume, research the labor market,
and much more! There is a whole section dedicated to youth services. Check out the
website or call 888-FOR-IETC.

IDES also has Illinois Employment and Training Centers (IETC), many of which are
COMPREHENSIVE ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS (see sidebar), throughout the state.
To find an IETC near you, go to www.ides.state.il.us/ietc/network/index.asp or 888-
367-4382. To find the One Stop Center closest to you, go to
http://www.servicelocator.org/.

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 5
Many of the following government programs offer good
services, but accessing them can be challenging. Be persistent
-- call ahead to make certain the office closest to you offers the

services you need!

IL Comprehensive One Stop Career Centers (a partial list)
COMPREHENSIVE
COOK COUNTY: CHICAGO WORKFORCE CENTERS
ONE STOP CAREER
SOUTHWEST NORTHSIDE PILSEN
CENTERS
Daley College 4740 N. Sheridan 1657 S. Blue Island
Many of these “one stop
7500 S. Pulaski 773/334-4747 Ave.
service centers” offer:
773/884-7000 312/243-5100
COOK COUNTY career counseling; free-
job related telephone,
Arlington Heights Burbank Chicago Heights
723 W. Algonquin 5608 W. 75th Place 1010 Dixie Highway internet, fax, and copy
Rd 708/458-0500 708/709-3000 services; GED exam
847/981-7400 preparation; ESL
Evanston Harvey Maywood classes; information on
1615 Oak Avenue. 14829 Dixie 35 S. 19th Ave. schools and training
847/864-3530 Highway 708/338-6900
programs. Many offer
708/596-2325
youth services including:
LAKE COUNTY
help writing your
Grayslake Waukegan
resume and preparing
College of Lake 1 N. Genesse St.
for job interviews and
County 847-377-3450
job and internship
800 Lancer Lane
search services. Some
847/543-7400
centers can even help

you find: money to help
 IL SKILLS MATCH http://www.illinoisskillsmatch.com/
cover your living
Once you create a free account at IL Skills Match, you will be
expenses and childcare
linked with available jobs in IL that match your skills,
while in training and
credentials, and job preferences. Many of the One Stop Career
financial aid sources.
Centers also offer IL Skill Match. Check the website for more
One stop centers are
locations.
operated by the IL

Department of
 JOB CENTER OF LAKE COUNTY
Employee Services
www.lakecountyjobcenter.com
(IDES) and the city of
Lake County’s job center site includes extensive information for
Chicago.
young people – including employment training that pays young

people while they learn a trade or even earn their GED. For
more information visit their website or call 847/377-3447.

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 6
ONLINE HELP:
You can also go to career websites online, but there’s no substitute for talking with
professional job counselors. Many websites have information useful for
exploring job opportunities and training programs Check out:
and even finding jobs. Browse, but make certain you • 300 Best Jobs
use your best judgment – be cautions when giving Without a Four-
out personal info! Year Degree, by
Michael Farr.(JIST

Works; 2005).
 Career Voyage: http://www.careervoyages.gov/
You can explore hundreds of different careers, learn about job
prospects and educational requirements for those jobs, and even watch videos about
what they are like! The CAREER COMPASS will also help you match your interests with
career choices.
 America’s Career InfoNet: http://www.acinet.org/acinet/
Look here to find out about wages and employment trends, occupational requirements,
state-by-state labor market conditions, employer contacts nationwide, financial aid
information, and an extensive career resource library online.
 Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
This is a great site for information about hundreds
of different types of jobs – such as teaching, Do you want to be:
practicing law, and nursing. The OOH tells you: the An artist? A zoologist?
training and education needed, job responsibilities, A teacher?
average wages, and job prospects. An? actor? A bus driver?
A social worker?
 What Interests You?: A politician?
http://www.bls.gov/k12 While we have only featured those
Find jobs that match your interests at this US careers that appear on the
”Fastest Growing Jobs” or “Best
Department of Labor site.
Bet Jobs” lists in this guide, there
 IL Career Resource Center: are thousands of other career
www.ilworkinfo.com/icrn.htm possibilities . . . many of which are
included in the online websites
Explore careers in Illinois: research the
linked here or at your career
requirements, pay, and responsibilities of many
counselor’s office!
jobs. Read about IL’s labor market and find a list of
the fastest growing occupations in IL.
 Career and Tech School Finder:
http://www.khake.com
Explore vocational and technical careers, check out the skills employers really want, and
even find a trade school.
 Princeton Review Career Quiz:
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz/career_quiz1.asp
Create a free account and complete a 24-question quiz to identify your interest and style
and link to careers that may be a match. You can then learn about the requirements,
pay, and day-to-day characteristics of that job.
AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 7
E P
XPLORING THE OSSIBILITIES
Most of the new jobs out there today are in service industries—businesses that: sell
items (retail), move people (tourism) or money (banking), or provide services (education,
legal help, health care). Many service jobs are in retail. That’s why it may not be hard to
find low paying retail jobs at fast food restaurants or in the mall. Some careers in retail
can be dead ends, depending on what other training you get and whether you will be able
to rise in the ranks quickly enough to offset the initial low wages.

JJOOBB SSHHAADDOOWW::
Landing a different type of job that pays on the higher
To “shadow” or follow an adult
end usually means getting specialized training and skills.
friend at his or her job, ask
A good idea, in this economic climate, is to “job shadow”.
questions, watch what he/she
Start to learn what people do in different jobs. Once you does, and/or look for an
see actual possibilities, you’ll have a better idea of what internship or apprenticeship.
you’ll want to do. There are choices: you’ll just have to
look around to see them!

THE 20 FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES
The numbers of openings in these jobs are expected to grow the fastest during the next
five to seven years. The Fastest Growing Occupations, 2004-14 From the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 2007, lists the following careers:
1. Network Systems & Data 11. SKIN CARE SPECIALIST
Communications Analyst 12. Financial Analyst
2. Personal and home care aides 13. SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICE
3. HOME HEALTH AIDES ASSISTANTS
4. COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEERS, 14. Gaming surveillance officers and
APPLICATIONS gaming investigators
5. Veterinary technologists and technicians 15. PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS
6. PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS 16. PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
7. Makeup artists, theatrical and 17. FORENSIC SCIENCE TECHNITIANS
performance 18. DENTAL HYGIENIST
8. MEDICAL ASSISTANTS 19. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE
9. VETERINARIANS ABUSE SOCIAL WORKERS
10. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND BEHAVIOR 20. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
DISORDER COUNSELORS THERAPISTS

CHECK IT OUT! Jobs labeled in CAPITAL LETTERS are in the health care field.
http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 8
ILLINOIS BEST BET JOBS!

A “Best Bet Job” is defined as a job that: combines a high growth rate with a large number

of annual openings and pays well for the level of training/education.
ON THE JOB TRAINING VOCATIONAL SCHOOL AFTER HIGH
RECEPTIONISTS AND INFORMATION CLERKS: SCHOOL
Answer inquiries and obtain information for
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND
general public, customers, visitors, and
MECHANICS: Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul
other interested parties.
automotive vehicles.
Starting Pay: $9.05 per hour
Starting Pay: $11.27

NURSING AIDES, ORDERLIES/ATTENDANTS:
WELDERS, CUTTERS, SOLDERERS & BRAZERS: Use
Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to
hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand soldering, or
prevent theft, violence, or infractions of
brazing equipment to weld or join metal
rules. Starting Pay: $8.99
components or to fill holes, indentations, or

seams of fabricated metal products. Starting
SALES REPS, WHOLESALE/ MANUFACTURING:
Pay: $11.96
Sell goods for wholesalers or
manufacturers to businesses or groups of
individuals. Starting Pay: $19.35 2 YEARS OF COLLEGE (ASSOCIATE’S
DEGREE)
DENTAL ASSISTANTS: Assist dentist, set up REGISTERED NURSES: Assess patient health
patient and equipment, and keep records. problems and needs, develop and implement
Starting Pay: $11.77 nursing care plans, and maintain medical records.
Starting Pay: $12.24
MEDICAL ASSISTANTS: Perform
administrative and certain clinical duties COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS: Provide technical
under the direction of physician. assistance to computer system users. Starting
Starting Pay: $11.01 Pay: $15.23

GENERAL MAINTENANCE & REPAIR WORKERS: RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS/TECHNICIANS: Take X-
Perform work involving the skills of two or rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive
more maintenance or craft occupations to materials into patient's blood stream for
keep machines, mechanical equipment, or diagnostic purposes.
the structure of an establishment in repair. Starting Pay: $18.07
Starting Pay: $11.93
4 YEARS OF COLLEGE (BACHELOR’S DEGREE)
ELECTRICIANS: Install, maintain, and repair REGISTERED NURSES: See description above.
electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
Starting Pay: $22.65 ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS: Examine, analyze,
and interpret accounting records for the purpose
MACHINISTS: Set up and operate a variety of of giving advice or preparing statements.
machine tools to produce precision parts Starting Pay: $20.10
and instruments.
Starting Pay: $11.63 COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYSTS: Analyze science,
engineering, business, and all other data
COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEERS, processing problems for application to electronic
APPLICATIONS: Develop, create, and modify data processing systems.
general computer applications software or Starting Pay: $26.91
specialized utility programs.
Starting Pay: $28.62

All information excerpted from the 2008 IL Occupational Outlook in Brief. For more information,

including the BEST BET jobs requiring graduate degrees AND other jobs with large numbers of

annual openings, see: http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/wagedata/statewages.htm

A FSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 9
FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE
Healthcare offers it all: well-paying work that’s on the cutting edge of science and
technology, the opportunity to serve others, and excellent potential for advancement..
More than half of the nation’s 20 fastest growing jobs are in the healthcare field.
Healthcare careers featured on the nation’s fastest growing list and those that qualify
as IL “best bet” jobs are featured below.

Many schools and programs can help prepare you for a career in healthcare; some are
listed below each description. See page 35 for school contact information. Find
additional schools at http://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/. Description, requirements
and pay based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/. Pay is the
median (middle) income in 2006.
Dental Hygienist: Examines and cleans teeth; teaches good oral hygiene; does basic
procedures. Requirements: Associate degree from accredited program, license to practice
Pay: $24.63 to $35.67 an hour
Cook: KKC, WWC, PSC, TC, WRHC Lake: CLC
Dental Assistant: Aids a dentist in treating patients, keeps medical records,
prepares rooms, assists dentist during procedures, performs basic procedures
Requirements: On the job training, high school diploma or GED to enroll in dental assisting
programs (usually 1 year or less to complete)
Pay: $14.52 per hour
Cook: ISHC, EV-BR Lake: Not Available
Home Health Aide: Works in residential care facilities or homes to help disabled, ill, elderly, or
injured people; does basic medical tasks (e.g. gives oral medications, check pulse, temperature,
and respiration); helps bathe, dress, and groom patients.
Requirements: HS diploma or GED required for most positions, certification once hired
Pay: $10.67 per hour
Check Illinois Department of Public Health at 217/758-5133 for more info on programs.
Personal and Home Care Aide: Helps the elderly, disabled (mentally and physically), and ill in their
homes; assists with housekeeping, shopping, cooking, and grooming.
Requirements: On the job training, certification once hired.
Pay: $8.54 per hour
Medical Assistant: Performs administrative (answering phones, scheduling appointments,
updating records) and clinical (taking medical history and vital signs, assisting doctor) duties.
Requirements: Formal program in medical assisting; usually takes one year (certificate) or 2
years (associates degree)
Pay: $26,290 per year
Cook: CET, HTC, MXC, WWC, MC, NBC, OCC, SSC, SCJ, COT, WRHC, CAI, EC-BR, EC-MP, FC
Lake: RFU

SCHOOLS: Find Contact Information on Page 35
A IMMC: Advocate IL Masonic Medical Center ATH: Advocate Trinity Hospital
C AI: Coyne American Institute CET: Center for Employment Training
CLC: College of Lake County COT: College of Office Tech

CSU: Chicago State University DPU: DePaul University

EC-BR: Everest College Burr Ridge EC-MP: Everest College Marionette Park

FC: Fox College GSU: Governors State University
H TC: Harry Truman College ISHC: IL School of Health Careers
K KC: Kennedy King College MC: Morton College
MVC: Morrain Valley College MXC: Malcolm X College

NBC: Northwestern Business College NP: North Park

AFSC Great Lakes Region: Making the Connection . . . in Illinois 10