WHEN I GROW UP, I WANT TO BE The Annual Career Possibility Journal For Kids Karleen Tauszik
Text and layout copyright 2016 by Karleen Tauszik Cover Illustration from BigstockPhoto.com, contributor AV Bitter Cover Design Copyright 2016 by Karleen Tauszik Cover design by Jimmy Gibbs Cover photo editing and interior frame designs by Janet Tauszik All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Summary: This journal provides children with a place to annually log their talents, achievements and interests to better equip them for successful career choices as an adult. ISBN: 978-0-9904899-1-7 Karleen Tauszik is an author, primarily of fiction for children ages 8-12. She has worked in Human Resources for over 15 years and she s passionate about helping people find the work they were meant to do. Visit her on the web at KarleenT.com, where you can see her other books and sign up for her newsletter.
This book belongs to me, (my name) It was given to me by on when I was (date with year) years old.
All grown-ups were once children but only a few of them remember it. --ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY, THE LITTLE PRINCE Do you know any adults who are grumpy about their work? I ll bet you do! And I ll bet you don t want to grow up to be that way, right? That s why I made this book. It will help you keep track of what you enjoy, what you do well and what interests you. All you need to do is answer a few questions every year. As you get older, looking back through this book will help you choose a career that s a great match for who you are with your unique talents and skills. There are two pages for every year from age 6 through to age 18. If you received this book and you re older than six, start at your age. But then go back and fill in as much as you can remember from the earlier years. The pages are all black and white so you can color or decorate them as you wish, making this journal uniquely yours. The Little Prince was right many grownups don t remember very much from when they were children. They ve forgotten the special talents they had and they things they loved to do. Then they end up in a job and year after year they wonder why they don t like it. But you don t have to grow up that way. Answer the questions in this journal and when you re an adult, you ll be able to choose a job that s just right for you!
Where is your favorite place to play? Why? When you have free time, what s your favorite thing to do? This year, what would you like to learn on your own or in school?
What would you like to be when you grow up? Draw a picture of your grown-up self at work. Think of three things you d like to have when you grow up. What are they?
What are your favorite topics in school? What would you like to do, but can t because you re too young?
Are you excited about or looking forward to something? What is it? Why is it so exciting? What activities make you the happiest? What kinds of books do you pick at the library, bookstore or online?
The pages for age 8 are omitted from this sample.
Before you start your pages for age 9, look back over what you wrote for ages 6, 7 and 8. Then answer these questions. From ages 6 through 8, what were you most interested in? Do those things still interest you? Why or why not?
Look back at age 6. What did you say you want to be when you grow up? Do you still want to be that? Why or why not? As you look back over ages 6 through 8, are there any other jobs you think would be interesting? List them here, along with why you think you would like them. Do these jobs have anything in common? If so, what?
Which subject at school is easiest for you? Which one do you enjoy the most? Where is your favorite place to play? Why? What do you think will be the best part of being grown up?
Do you have a hobby? What is it? Why do you like it? Do you think it would be fun to be famous? Why or why not?
The pages for age 10 are omitted from this sample.
Do you have a collection? Of what? If you get to choose a movie to watch, what will it usually be about? When you get together with a friend, what do you like to do?
Do you have a hero? Who is it? Why? What do you like about yourself?
The Looking Back pages for ages 9, 10 and 11 and the pages for age 12 are omitted from this sample.
Did you win any awards this year? For what? If not, what would you have liked to win? Have you ever had a lemonade stand or tried selling anything else? What part did you like? What part didn t you like?
If you could do anything this year, what would it be? Do you prefer to work with others or on your own? What activity do you like so much, it makes time fly?
What do you like to do when you have free time? What was your favorite thing you did this past year? When someone is struggling at school, do you like to help? Why or why not?
What do you think are the best jobs you ever heard of? Why do you think they re great? You answered this same question when you were 8 years old. Look back. Are your answers similar? What would you change if you ran your school, your city, or your country?
Before you start your pages for age 15, look back over what you wrote for ages 12, 13 and 14. Then answer these questions. From ages 12 through 14, what were you most interested in? Are you still interested in that? Why or why not?
Turn to the Looking Back pages for ages 9, 10 and 11. Do the job ideas you listed still interest you? Why or why not? As you look back over ages 12 through 14, are there any other jobs you think would be interesting? List them here, along with why you think you would like them.
The pages for age 15 are omitted from this sample.
What businesses in your city have the kind of job you think you d like? How can you learn more about these businesses? What do you like about yourself? What do your friends like about you?
What makes you feel proud of yourself? If you could go to any event, what would you choose? Do you like the same routine day after day? Or do you prefer change? Why?
The Looking Back pages for ages 15 and 16 and the pages for age 17 are omitted from this sample.
Congratulations! If you completed this book, you know far more about your unique talents and interests than most people know at your age. That lays a great foundation for your future. As you launch into the next phase of your life, whether that be college or vocational training, you ll be able to make wiser decisions about your career path. If you work in an area that uses your special skills, you ll most likely find greater job satisfaction and success. Looking back through this book, what are your top three skills or talents? What types of careers interest you in which you can use those skills? Is there anyone who presently works in your dream job who you can contact for more information or advice? Are there part time job opportunities where you can work at the entry level in your chosen field?
Looking ahead five years, what would you like your life to look like? Where do you live? Where do you work? What type of work do you do? What do you do in your spare time? Describe your dream life in detail. What steps are needed to get to your five-years-in-the-future self?
NOTES & IDEAS
Additional Notes pages are omitted from this sample.
About the Author Karleen Tauszik is the author of ten books, mostly for children ages 8 to 12. Her goal as an author is to get kids to LOVE reading. As a child, Karleen had the goal (not met) to read every book in the children's section of her local library. Through the books she writes, she hopes to instill that kind of fervor for reading in kids today. Having worked in Human Resources for over 15 years, Karleen is also passionate about people s careers and helping them find a great fit for their unique talents and interests. Her first questions when she meets someone new are, What do you do? and Where do you work? Karleen is married to a professional ventriloquist and magician, and they live in the Tampa Bay area. Learn more about Karleen at her website, KarleenT.com.