Business and Personal Finance © 2007

Chapter 2: Finances and Career Planning

Chapter Summaries

• Personal issues to consider when choosing a career include your aptitudes, interests, personality, and current personal situation.
• The more education and training you have, the greater your potential earning power will be. Also, the field of study you select will affect your salary.
• Employment opportunities are affected by social influences, such as demographic trends, geographic trends, and economic factors, as well as industry and technology trends.
• Gain experience through part-time work, volunteer work, internships, cooperative education, and class projects.
• To evaluate career opportunities, use sources such as the Internet, libraries, newspapers, school guidance offices, community organizations, and networking with people working in the field you choose.
• Financial issues to consider when looking for employment are your starting salary, opportunities for promotions and raises, benefits, and the cost of living. Legal issues to consider relate to the work environment of the company, its adherence to laws regarding discrimination, minimum wage, unemployment insurance, Social Security, and workers' compensation.