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Job vs. Career Timeline

You can start your career right now. Or you can keep moving from job to job without a plan. Learn how your choices affect how much you might get paid now and in the future.

Where Can Career Planning Take You?

Two people go to work every day. They both change jobs in the next few years. One person has a career plan. The other person does not have a plan. Look at the charts below to find out how their choices affect their jobs.

Personas Four Years Ago Two Years Ago One Year Ago Today
Person A
  • Taking English classes at ABE Center
  • Working at a restaurant cleaning tables and helping the servers
  • $6.15/hour
  • Decides to find out how to get skills for better paying jobs in restaurants
  • Finished English classes
  • Promoted to assistant cook
  • $10/hour
  • Taking GED classes
  • Took two of the GED tests, but only passed one
  • Working same job as assistant cook, given added shift leader responsibilities
  • $10/hour
  • Passed three of the GED tests
  • Thinking of going to college for restaurant management degree
  • Quit job for assistant manager position at a restaurant that just opened
  • $13/hour
Person B
  • Taking English classes at ABE Center
  • Working at a restaurant cleaning tables and helping the servers
  • $6.15/hour
  • Wants job that pays more money
  • Laid off from job
  • Working as janitor
  • $7/hour
  • Finished English classes, started GED classes
  • Quit janitor job
  • Working in food production factory
  • $9/hour
  • Passed one GED test
  • Quit food production job
  • Working as a Home Health Aid
  • $8/hour