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A Career Readiness Curriculum Guide for Schools and Youth Programs

On My WayBy Elizabeth Johnson, M.Ed. and Jillian Luft, M.Ed.

AuthorsElizabeth Johnson, M.Ed. and Jillian Luft, M.Ed.

EditorMaria Luisa Tucker

Executive EditorKeith Hefner

Layout and DesignEfrain Reyes, Jr.

Cover PhotoInVision Communications, Inc.

Copyright © 2016 by Youth Communication

On My WayA Career Readiness Curriculum Guide

for Schools and Youth Programs

For reprint information, please contact Youth Communication.

ISBN 978-1-938970-06-1

Printed in the United States of America

Youth CommunicationNew York, New Yorkyouthcomm.org

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Unless otherwise noted, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher, except for brief quotations or critical reviews.

On My WayTeens Write About

Succeeding In The Workplace

1

Table of ContentsIntroduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4

The Youth Communication Approach ............................................................................................ 5

Leading a Youth Communication Group ....................................................................................... 8

How to Use This Curriculum Guide .............................................................................................. 11

UNIT 1: Learning On the Job

Session 1: First Day Lessons ..................................................................................................... 17Story: “Rush Hour at Macy’s” by Sharif Berkeley ...................................................................... 24

Session 2: Letting Go of the Mask ......................................................................................... 27Story: “Quiet on the Job” by Danielle Wilson ........................................................................... 32

Session 3: Strategic Communication ..................................................................................... 35Story: “Inside the Boss’s Mind” by Otis Hampton .................................................................... 40

Session 4: Skills to Grow On ..................................................................................................... 47Story: “Growing Up on the Job” by Josbeth Lebron ............................................................... 54

UNIT 2: Getting Along

Session 5: Communicating Respect ....................................................................................... 61Story: “Keeping It Professional” by Desmin Braxton ................................................................ 69

Session 6: How to Talk So the Customer Will Listen ....................................................... 73Story: “Climbing the Golden Arches” by Marissa Nuñez ....................................................... 83

Session 7: The Power in Their Hands .................................................................................... 87Story: “High-Powered Jobs” by Evin Cruz ................................................................................. 92

Session 8: Responding to Conflict ......................................................................................... 95Story: “More Money, More Problems, at Modell’s” by José M. Jimenez...........................104

Session 9: Sexual Harassment ................................................................................................ 111Story: “Keep Your Hands and Remarks to Yourself” by Lavell Pride ..................................118

2

UNIT 3: Managing My Life

Session 10: Expect More .......................................................................................................... 123Story: “Movin’ On Up” by Hattie Rice ....................................................................................... 128

Session 11 - Getting Smart About Money: Part I ........................................................... 133Story: “My Credit Card Gave Me False Security” by Zhanna Raymond ............................142

Session 11 - Getting Smart About Money: Part II..........................................................145Story: “A Guide to Drama-Free Banking” by Chantal Hylton ..............................................154

Session 12: Managing Stress .................................................................................................. 159Story: “Never Good Enough” by Chimore T. Mack ................................................................ 166

Session 13: The Power to Choose ........................................................................................ 171Story: “The Dragon Inside” by Desmin Braxton ..................................................................... 181

Session 14: Looking Forward, Succeeding Now ............................................................. 187Story: “From Slacker to Star Student” by DeAnna Lyles .......................................................192

UNIT 4: Planning for the Future

Session 15: Learning to Build a Career ............................................................................... 201Story: “How to Wow Employers” by Donald Moore .............................................................209

Session 16: Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going ...................................................... 213Story: “Job-Hopping to a Career” by Samantha Flowers .....................................................221

Session 17: A College Experience That Fits ...................................................................... 225Story: “Community College: A Second Chance” by Jordan Temple ..................................230

Session 18: Discovering Your Spark, Following Your Passion .................................... 235Story: Story: “Rewriting My Dream” by Marsha Dupiton .....................................................242

Session 19: Finding Your Own Way ..................................................................................... 249Story: “Not a Stretch” by Eliza Dubisz ...................................................................................... 254

Session 20: Goals Into Action ................................................................................................ 261Story: “In the Driver ’s Seat” by Xavier Reyes .......................................................................... 265

3

About Youth Communication ....................................................................................................... 270

About the Authors and Editors .................................................................................................... 270

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................. 271

Resources from Youth Communication ..................................................................................... 272

On My Way --TOC and Front MatterOn My Way -- Session 5On My Way -- Session 6