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Career Research - Activity

Investment in Yourself

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Education vs Income Activity

  • Imagine 25 Students Standing up

  • Everyone standing represents the people who started high school. This activity will show the different paths people can choose during their lifetime and the different results.”

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High School Dropout/ No GED

  • Four students sit down.
  • These 4 people represent 15.2% of the US population who did not graduate from high school or earn a GED. On average, they will earn $33,913 per year, the lowest wages of all workers.
  • Congratulations! Everyone remaining finished high school

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High School Diploma / GED

  • Six students sit down
  • These 6 people represent 25.2% of the U.S. population who graduated from high school or earned a GED. On average, in the United States, they earn $46,938 per year.
  • Congratulations! The remaining decided to further their education.

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Dropped out of college

  • Five students sit down
  • These 5 people represent 21.8% of the U.S. population who dropped out of college without finishing a degree. On average, in the United States, they earn $54,881 per year.
  • Congratulations! The remaining finished some kind of post-secondary education.

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Associates Degree

  • Two Students sit down
  • These 2 people represent 8.9% of the U.S. population who received their associate degree. On average, in the United States, they earn $64,537 per year. Jobs requiring an associate's degree are expected to grow 32% between 2000- 2010.
  • These people are prepared for this significant change in the job market.

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Bachelor's Degree

  • Five Students Sit down
  • These 5 people represent 18.7% of the U.S. population who received their bachelor's degree.
  • On average, in the United States, they will earn $88,948 per year, which is more than twice what a high school graduate earns.

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Graduate or Professional Degree

  • Three Students sit down
  • These 3 people represent 10.2% of the U.S. population who have completed their graduate or professional degree.
  • On average, in the United States, they earn $115,179 per year.