News Releases for October 2003
October 15, 2003
Contact: Dan Marrs, Program Administrator, N.D. Career Resource Network
(701) 328-9733
"Career Outlook" Resource Publication Helps Career Planners Of All Ages
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven and representatives of the North Dakota Career Resource Network announced today that 69,000 copies of the 2003 - 2004 Career Outlook are being distributed across the state. Now in its 21st year, the publication is a primary resource for students and adults planning careers and career changes. It includes input from counselors, teachers and other career planning professionals. Delivery sites are schools, colleges and universities, vocational rehabilitation offices, Job Service North Dakota and many other places. Copies are distributed to high schools through a partnership with the N.D. National Guard.
Career planning highlights from the Career Outlook include:
- Interest and competencies self-assessment tests;
- Employability skill assessment and entrepreneur checklist;
- Occupational research defining six career areas and jobs within each;
- Hot jobs in N.D. and nationally and job skill level changes;
- Educational academics and training recommendations for specific careers;
- Postsecondary admission checklist and reasons for choosing a N.D. Campus;
- Financial information outlining costs, financial aid, incentives, scholarship scams, and available resources, i.e., College Save Plan, free Bank of N.D. and College Connection Center ‘One-Stop Shop’ CD;
- Job application information; and
- ‘For Parents Only’ section on how to help their student with career planning
“I consider the Career Outlook a ‘job encyclopedia’ and it is a fabulous free resource,” said Mary Blumhagen, guidance counselor designee from Goodrich, N.D. “Students here recently used it as springboard to look up different careers (for themselves) and selected professionals of interest to speak at an upcoming Career Fair in their area.”
According to Bismarck St. Mary’s High School students Stephen Hohberger from Germany, Ashley Taborsky from Bismarck, and Calvin Motika from Kenya, the Career Outlook is impressive. Hohberger was surprised at the salary and academic information for medicine and architecture. Taborsky was encouraged by the number of drama jobs forecasted for N.D. and nationally. Motika was amazed at the many different medical careers.
“I have used the magazine ever since it came out in its first year,” said Pat Riley, career counselor at the UND Educational Opportunities Center on the Williston State College campus. “I use it in a lifelong career planning class, a college studies skills class that teaches goal setting, and with virtually all students that I counsel in my office and in area high schools,” Riley said.
The 2003 N.D. Legislature provided $40,000 for the Biennium to help pay for the Career Outlook, making it possible to publish the 20th and 21st editions. Member agencies for the NDCRN include N.D. Department of Commerece, Job Service North Dakota, N.D. Department of Labor, State of N.D. Department of Public Instruction, N.D. State Board of Career and Technical Education, N.D. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, N.D. University System, and N.D. Workforce Development Council.
E-mail comments to the Governor
