Insider News 

There’s A New Education and Career Planning System in Town: UtahFutures.org

By Kimberly Bartel, Manager

Are you thinking of entering the workforce for the first time in many years? Are you tired of your job and need a change? Have you lost your job and want to do something different? Do you want to be involved in the career development process with your child? 

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it would be worth your time to visit UtahFutures.org where you can:

• Create online portfolios where information of interest can be stored including, exploration tools, personal reflections, plans, and education and work histories.
• Take assessments that can help you identify your interests, aptitudes, skills and work preferences. The results of your assessment are linked to training and career information, which can guide you through career pathways.
• Find information about specific jobs including duties, requirements, outlook, wages, skills, and preparation requirements. You can see real world interviews, occupational videos and job-specific links to Utah training information. There are helpful hints and information for organizing and conducting a job search, and for keeping and excelling in your job.
• Check out the internet links to web sites for colleges, online applications, professional associations, licensing organizations, apprenticeships, JOBcentral, and other resources that expand research and planning opportunities.
• Generate a course plan based on career and educational goals. The plan can include classes for 9th through 12th grades plus two years of postsecondary education.
• Use the information entered in your education and work histories to generate a professional resume.
• Research postsecondary education opportunities, from associate to professional degrees based on your career goals, and links to schools offering these programs.
• View detailed information about U.S. colleges and universities including admission requirements, tuition, and programs of study for all accredited, public and private two- and four-year colleges and universities.
• Find major sources of financial aid for college and specific information on more than $550 million in grants and scholarships.
• Investigate careers in the military, military work life, and education and training opportunities.
• Use the Employer Locator to search for employers across the U.S. that are most likely to hire for specific occupations. It provides the employer’s name, address, telephone number, and size.
• Assist your child with his/her career exploration. You and your child can access the portfolio he/she created at school, take assessments, look at the Reality Check feature (how much will his/her lifestyle cost?), and investigate different occupations together.

Utahfutures.org can help Utah citizens plan and manage their careers from grade school to retirement.