Career Exploration and Workforce Preperation Project

• Learn what soft skills are and how to develop them
• Take an online personality quiz like Enneagram
• Learn about different communication styles
• Research jobs that fit your personal interests

• Job shadow or interview an adult about their career
• Attend a career fair
• Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses
• Learn about basic economic terms and how credit cards work
• Develop skills to sell a product

• Tour different colleges and explore majors that interest you
• Complete a resume and cover letter
• Learn advantages and disadvantages of becoming an entrepreneur
• Develop a marketing plan for a business idea

Donate clothes to a goodwill organization, coordinate a food drive for a local food pantry, serve as a peer mentor.

Interview craft fair vendors to learn about entrepreneurship, work on writing a cover letter, compete in your county’s communication arts contest.

Research famous entrepreneurs and what steps they took to start their businesses, create a business plan for a business you want to start.

Investigate online business platforms you could use to sell a product, research different career or personality online quizzes and games, do a virtual job shadow.

Extension Youth Conference (EYC), LAW, Project Expo, Communication Arts contest, County and State 4-H Ambassador.

• Comparison of different learning styles

• Identify two different jobs that interest you and do a comparison

• Prepare a presentation about your dream job

• Display on a famous inventor

• Poster on essential skills to know to be workforce ready

Build Your Future (Career and Entrepreneurship)

• Planning for My Project Adventure (PA093)
• ND 4-H Project Plan (PA095)
• ND 4-H Plan of Action (PA096)
• ND 4-H Participation Summary for 11-to 19 year-olds (PA098)

• ND Career and Technical Education Career Resource Network
• RUReadyND.gov
• North Dakota Youth Forward
• Marketplace for Kids
• Youth Venture
• Learning Styles Definition

A portfolio is a place where you can keep track of projects throughout your 4-H years. Creating and maintaining one allows you to pull important information when completing college or job applications or even filling out scholarships. Make sure to update it regularly with any clubs who are a part of, leadership positions or participation in important events.

A portfolio should include:

• Full name and a summarized version of your goals and objectives (to be written in third person)
• Skills, knowledge, and abilities
• 4-H club name, number of years as a 4-H member, and any offices held
• Education background
• Special recognitions and accomplishments
• List of community and service projects (school and 4-H club)
• Awards and honors