THE RIGHT DEFINITION OF SUCCESS CAN MAKE YOU FEARLESS
"Please help me to stop being afraid of making a mistake." is one of the most common requests. It is also a fear that handicaps many competent adult employees.
Getting people to understand that: The people who don’t make mistakes are the people who don’t do anything is a good first step to get rid of this fear of making a mistake.
The second fear to overcome is the fear of the outcome of any competitive event, whether it is a sporting event or a sales contest. This is a fear the general public suffers from because in the media: either you win or you lose.
Coach Wooden defined success as: Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable. The idea of a best effort/personal best approach is used by many of today’s elite athletes and coaches. Some youth coaches, parents and corporate leaders, unfortunately, are still pushing the win or lose approach. The win or lose approach perpetuates the fear of failure and handicaps the performance of the participant whether it is a little league baseball player, a student taking a college placement test or a salesman trying to get a big deal because it makes them tight.
Coach Wooden’s definition of best effort was certainly not just showing up and trying your best. Players were not given a participation medal for just showing up to practice and working hard. Coach defined the details of best effort on his Pyramid of Success. His definition of best effort included preparation, attention to detail, positive attitude, getting along with and including others, self-control, an eagerness to constantly improve, a fighting spirit with a never give up attitude, moral, mental and physical conditioning and the ability to not only properly but also quickly execute the needed fundamentals, just to name a few of the elements.
Coach Wooden’s approach eliminates the fear of the unknown going into competition, because you know at that moment you are only capable of your best effort and afterwards using Coach’s Pyramid of Success list you can pinpoint the qualities you need to focus on to improve your next performance.
Are you judging yourself on the hype of somebody else’s opinion or are you being productively self-critical by pinpointing the areas you can improve in. Stay loose!
Helpful Career Search links
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Making a Living" is not the same thing as "Making a Life"
The only thing in life that is fair is TIME. What you do with the time you have generally determines the degree of success you experience and the impact you have on others. Use your time wisely.
.
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve" - Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Follow Opportunity, Serve Others and Take Your Passion with you. You can be passionate about anything you do.
The things you end up being really good at are the things you spend a lot of time doing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAMPS and OTHER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Michigan State Police Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Academy - If you are a 10th, 11th, or 12th grader and interested in a career in law enforcement, this is an excellent opportunity! Join the other cadets - July 20-25, 2025 at the MSP Training Facility in Lansing. Applications due May 1st. The American Legion in Lake City may be able to help with scholarships! - Please see Ms Venhuizen if interested for more details.
Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet
-------------------------------------------------
Useful information and links to supplement your experience using Pathfinder. This page has information included that is in compliance with the requirements of Michigan Compiled Law 380.1293 post-graduation opportunities informational packet. Information included in bold on this page is intended to fulfill the requirements of the law. These updates are provided through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and other statewide stakeholders.
.
ResumeBuilder.com offers High School Resume Examples designed to help students highlight academic achievements, volunteer work, and extracurriculars—paired with step-by-step guidance and real examples to build confidence.
AI Resume Builder can guide students through the writing process, helping them craft polished, ATS-friendly resumes even if they’re just starting out.
.
Other Resume / Cover Letter / and References Packet - Tips and Samples
(Even though this packet is designed for getting a Ministry job, you can use the same information and principles for going after ANY job)
Other Resume Templates
Michigan Labor Market Information
Michigan’s Top 50 high demand Jobs - This publication highlights Michigan’s high-demand, high-wage careers that show a favorable mix of long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages through 2030.
Michigan’s Career Outlook - This publication provides multiple lists of in-demand occupations through 2030 by education and training requirements, as well as highlights the most in-demand STEM occupations.
Michigan’s Regional Hot Jobs - Providing information for each of Michigan’s 10 Prosperity Regions, this publication highlights occupations that show a favorable mix of long-term job growth, projected annual job openings, and median wages through 2028.
Michigan’s Long Term Job Projection tables
Michigan’s Short Term Job Projection tables
Michigan's Employment Projection Excel Files
Annual Planning Information and Work Analysis Reports
.
United States Department of Labor – WORKFORCE and CAREER INFORMATION
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) - MRS provides vocational rehabilitation services for eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice, to prepare for and engage in employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
.
Bureau of Services for Blind Persons - The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) believes in the capacity of people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and independence. BSBP provides training and services that empower people to achieve their individual goals.
.
The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) - The BTBL lends audio and braille books to Michigan residents unable to comfortably read standard print materials due to a visual, physical, or reading disability. Apply for service to access thousands of books that can be downloaded directly with BARD, or request one of our digital talking book players and books can be delivered directly to you on cartridge through the regular U.S. postal service. And best of all, this service is FREE, there is not even a charge to mail materials to the library.
West Central Region Career Exploration StoryMap - Businesses and Careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - Region 9: Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Oceana, Osceola, Wexford
This story map provides an interactive map to explore where various STEM career opportunities are located in the west central region. The maps share information by highlighting the businesses in our area that meet our definition of STEM careers.
There are nine STEM career categories highlighted by the different colors - Agriculture, Construction, Energy, Finance, Healthcare, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Education. You can search all at once or just under one career category. When clicking on a colored dot, a pop-up window will appear sharing the name of the business, the address, phone number, website (if available), and main type of work. You can click on the website for a closer look at the company, who they are, and what they do.
WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Here is a Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business - Michigan SBDC Learning Management System
SBDC (Small Business Development Center) offers you access to a variety of e-learning courses and webinar recordings, so you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. After signing up, you'll have quick and easy access to the entire catalog of content.
If you do not already have a Michigan SBDC Learning Management System account, please follow the steps below:
Register for a Michigan SBDC Learning Management System account on this page.
Check your inbox for an email from the Michigan SBDC with the subject line "Activate Your Michigan SBDC Learning Management System Account".
Use the link in the "Activate Your Michigan SBDC Learning Management System Account" email to set a username and password for your account.
Michigan AMERICAN LEGION
Learn about Careers in Government and Law Enforcement
Mi American Legion Boys State - The American Legion Boys State is a non-partisan, non-political mock government exercise in a model state designed to mirror the structure and operation of its respective state government. It is intended to instill character, the importance of civic engagement and patriotism among rising high school seniors.
Mi American Legion Girls State - This is the similar program as Boys State, but for Girls.
Mi American Legion & Michigan State Police - Youth Cadet Law Enforcement/Student Trooper Program - The American Legion, Department of Michigan in partnership with the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing provides an opportunity for high school students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades to learn about a career in law enforcement. Students spend one week at the Michigan State Police Training site learning many aspects of a law enforcement career.
WORK ETHIC
The S.W.E.A.T PLEDGE - We believe hard work, determination, and respect for others are always in demand, and these principles can form the basis of a new kind of curriculum that helps bolster the American workforce. Through a series of 12 videos, MIKE ROWE breaks down the origin of each statement of The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge and why we believe in the importance of work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification, and a positive attitude.
.
Is America as divided as we think - It May Just Be a Case of Collective Illusion
.
Mike Rowe on the value of hard work - Work ethic is no longer a virtue
GAP YEAR ASSOCIATION - A gap year is a semester or year of experiential learning, typically after high school and prior to career or post secondary education, to deepen one's practical, professional and personal awareness. Generally a good gap year includes a combination of:
VOLUNTEERING / SERVICE - to raise awareness/understanding of domestic and global challenges and issues.
CAREER EXPLORATION / INTERNSHIP - to understand what your major might be like in the real world.
PAID WORK - for increased ownership, improved career ambition, and financial literacy.
FREE RADICAL - allowing some space to explore the unknown while learning more about yourself and the world is what makes a "gap year".
Documented research - Gap-year students gain maturity, self-confidence, a sense of purpose, and college/career-readiness skills and they do return to college; 90% are back within a year and with an increased motivation to get the most out of their education. The current advice is for students to go ahead and apply to college but then defer their admission. This allows them to use college application resources wisely and to stay on the path to post secondary education. We strongly encourage students to go to the above GYA website and take no more than 30 minutes to write down activities that are exciting. Pay less attention to the programs and focus on the activities. This list easily turns into a great roadmap to build a phenomenal and successful gap year.
AMERICORPS - AmeriCorps offers a variety of service opportunities, from the classroom to the outdoors, and everything in between. No matter what you're passionate about, where you're from, or why you choose to serve, AmeriCorps is your chance to Be the Greater Good. AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more. Virtual Information Session
.
PEACE CORPS - Changing lives the world over. The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. From leading health campaigns to boosting local entrepreneurship to teaching digital literacy, we offer a range of opportunities for making a difference.
.
JOB CORPS RECRUITING - JOB CORPS Provides career technical training for young people looking for an alternative to college, or who may be at risk for not completing high school. Available at no cost to eligible participates, ages 16-24. For more information contact 1-800-733-JOBS.
CAREER CLUSTERS - There are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing 79 Career Pathways to help learners navigate their way to greater success in college and career.
.
Career Conversation Starters - The Career Conversations Starters provide a guide for working with students, parents and community members to address the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
.
REALITY STORE - MONEY MATTERS Make It Count - Reality Store provides an interactive experience in which youth learn how the choices they make regarding career, managing income and expenses, and saving and investing will affect future outcomes
.
MY NEXT MOVE -Discover your interests. Answer questions about the type of work you might enjoy. We'll suggest careers that match your interests and training.
What Do You Want to do for a Living
.
Jobs for the Future Toolkit – Creating Paths to Employment for Opportunity Youth - This toolkit is designed to help community partners, such as community-based organizations and employers, work together to support youth on a path to careers.
.
Find a Career, a College, or explore the Military at - myFUTURE
.
OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK - OOH - The OOH can help you find career information on specific job duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
.
O*NET - Your tool for career exploration and job analysis! O*NET On-Line has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more.
.
CAREER ONE STOP - Your source for career exploration, training and Jobs (Sponsored by the US Department of Labor)
.
BIG FUTURE - explore, discover, and plan for your future. That's why BigFuture® is on your side as a free resource to empower all students to take the right first step after high school. With BigFuture, you can connect to 1,000 careers based on your values, interests, and skills to find the best fit
.
SELF-DIRECTED SEARCH (SDS) - The next generation of John Holland’s Self-Directed Search® (SDS®) is a career assessment and exploration tool that matches your aspirations, activities, and talents to the career choices and educational opportunities that fit you best. For a single user, the SDS online experience includes test administration and a comprehensive, customized report for just $9.95.
.
KOLBE A™ INDEX - The Kolbe A Index (Instinct Assessment) is unique. It measures the instinctive ways you take action when you strive. It does not measure intelligence, personality or social style. Use your custom Kolbe A Index Results to be more productive, less stressed, and unlock joy at work or with your family. An instinct assessment so powerful you’ll discover the foundation for everything you do moving forward. Kolbe measures your instinctive way of doing things and the result is called your MO (method of operation). It is the only validated assessment that measures a person’s conative strengths. Unlike any other assessments or quizzes you’ve taken, Kolbe gets directly at how people execute (not their IQ or personality). KOLBE A INDEX results $55.
MICHIGAN
Post-Graduation Opportunities Informational Packet
.
CAREER EXPLORATION and AWARENESS TOOLKIT
PATHFINDER - Explore careers, schools and programs in Michigan to find the path that is right for you.
