Working at a fast food restaurant, gas station, mall, or local cafe' are great ways to get a jump start on making money.  How do you know at 18 years old that you will choose the right employment path? The answer is... you do not know and that is OK! The average person will change jobs 5-15 times in their lifetime, this is because interests change and opportunities arise. Keep your options open, try new things, be polite to coworkers/customers and great things will happen for you!

Helpful Links:

Career Fairs
http://www.careerfairs.com/

Career Exploration
www.careerexplorer.net/

Job Corps
http://www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx

Job Service of ND
www.jobsnd.com/

Military
https://secure.military.com/Recruiting/page1.do?ESRC=msn_rec_gen.kw

ND Department of Labor
www.nd.gov/labor/

US Department of Labor
www.dol.gov/

Unemployment
http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layouthtmls/swzl_unemployment_ND.html

Vocational Rehab
www.nd.gov/dhs/dvr/

Volunteer Services
http://www.rsvpnorthdakota.org/

Interview Tips:

• Arrive 10 minutes early
• Dress appropriately
• Bring a print out of your references
• Make eye contact and smile
• Ask at least 2 questions as it makes you appear interested

Professional Story:

"When I graduated from high school, I was thinking a professional career in the field of Engineering was in my future. I grew up in a large family and my parents could not afford to send me to college, so I chose to join the North Dakota National Guard to help pay for my education. The National Guard provided me the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world that I would not have seen otherwise, go to college to earn an Engineering degree, enhance my leadership skills while obtaining a knowledgeable skill set in combat construction services. In return, I helped the National Guard by becoming a soldier from 1996 to 2004. I would encourage you to investigate what the U.S. National Guard has to offer and determine if "Uncle Sam" can help you achieve your future goals. Today, I am a Professional Civil Engineer designing high voltage electric transmission lines throughout the central part of North Dakota. I had an idea of what I wanted to do after high school; if you are unsure I encourage you to keep searching as life offers many possibilities." Ryan Callahan, Age 33 (Chief Transmission Engineer, Central Power Electric Cooperative, Inc., Minot ND).