Learn—Maximum Time: 45 Minutes

Read:Last week you learned that education and training can be a bridge to self-reliance, leading to better work and increased income. This week you will begin to explore what job you want. Learning about the following will help you as you look ahead to job opportunities:

1. Make decisions.

2. Companies hire people who provide value.

3. Know what you can offer to employers.

4. Know who to talk to.

5. Update your self-reliance plan.

1. Make Decisions

Read:President Thomas S. Monson has often reminded us that “decisions determine destiny” (“Decisions Determine Destiny,” New Era, Nov. 1979, 4). Your course to self-reliance will require you to make decisions. During the next five weeks, you will work together to make the following decisions:

• What job you want

• What education or training program you will do

• How to pay for your education or training

Discuss:How do you feel knowing you will be making these decisions during the next few weeks?

You may worry that you will make the wrong choice about what work you should do and what training you should get. Many people overthink their decisions. They may want very clear answers before they move forward. But the Lord often gives us “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30).

Heavenly Father can help you make decisions. Listen as Elder David A. Bednar teaches about how God communicates with us.

Watch:“Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation,” available at srs.lds.org/videos. (No video? Read pages 39–40.)

Discuss:How can Heavenly Father help you with decisions about a job or training?

Read:You may not fully know what work you should do right now, but take the next step, and then the next step. Continually move forward. Seek information, ponder, and pray, but don’t overthink and don’t get stuck in indecision. Elder Dallin H. Oaks counseled, “Revelation to the children of God comes when they are on the move” (“In His Own Time, In His Own Way,” Ensign, Aug. 2013, 22).

Discuss:How can we help each other be “on the move” so we can receive the revelation we need to make decisions?

Read:Throughout these materials, you will meet fictional characters who are trying to make decisions as they seek to become self-reliant.

Meet Stefano, age 28. Stefano is single and lives at home with his parents. When he was younger, he studied for a year at a university to become an engineer, but then he dropped out. For a long time he has been saying, “I really should go back to school, but I don’t know what I should study.”

Stefano needs to decide what job he wants before he decides what to study. Like Stefano, you will also begin exploring what job you want.

2. Companies Hire People Who Provide Value

Read:Nothing in life entitles us to success without effort. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Work is the miracle by which talent is brought to the surface and dreams become reality” (“To a Man Who Has Done What This Church Expects of Each of Us” [Brigham Young University devotional, Oct. 17, 1995], 6, speeches.byu.edu).

Companies hire people to help them make money or solve problems. They do not hire people just so the employees can earn money. If you are good at doing a particular job, companies may be willing to hire you and pay you for that work. Education and training can help you gain the skills and expertise that will provide value to a company, resulting in a better job for you.

Discuss:Why is it important for an employee to provide value to an employer in exchange for a paycheck?

3. Know What You Can Offer to Employers

Read:Because employers are seeking people who can provide value to their company, it is important that you know what you can offer employers. What are you good at doing? What could you become good at doing?

The Lord has never given a list of careers ranked from the most important to the least important. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “I do not care what you want to be as long as it is honorable. A car mechanic, a brick layer, a plumber, an electrician, a doctor, a lawyer, a merchant. … But whatever you are, take the opportunity to train for it and make the best of that opportunity” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 172).

Activity (10 minutes)

As a group, do the following:

Step 1: Open six copies of this book so that each book shows a different page between pages 27 and 32. These pages show different types of work. Place the books around the room.

Step 2: Now, everyone stand up and look over the pages.

Step 3: Stand by the page showing images that best represent the skills and abilities you have now or that you would like to have. Don’t be distracted by the pictures. Some people and places look different from what they would look like in your area. If you don’t see your skills and abilities in the images, share with others the abilities you have or would like to have.

Step 4: Share why you chose that page.

I Like to Work with My Hands

I Like Research and Investigation

I Like to Be Creative and Original

I Like Working with People

I Like Persuading Others

I Like to Be Detail Oriented

Activity (10 minutes)

By yourself, quietly think about the following questions. Write your thoughts below each one.

1. What type of work comes naturally to me?

2. What work interests me? For example, do I like selling things, caring for people, or building things? Do I like detail work? Do I prefer to be assigned my work, or do I like to manage what I do?

3. What skills do I already have? For example, am I skilled at solving problems, planning ahead, or working with my hands?

4. What jobs would allow me to use the skills I have or want to learn?

Activity (5 minutes)

Step 1: Write three jobs that most interest you.

Step 2: Take turns asking the group:

“Does anyone know anything about these jobs?”

“Does anyone know someone who currently works in any of these jobs in our area?”

Step 3: Write down any ideas they share with you.

4. Know Who to Talk To

Read:Many of the activities in this workbook require you to speak with others outside the group.

For example, the best way to find out about a job is to talk to people who do that job. One of your commitments this week will be to explore the three jobs you are interested in by talking with people in those positions. These conversations will help you make good decisions about your training and future work.

Some people you meet will be very helpful and interested in your success. They can become “mentors” to you. A mentor is someone you trust who can advise you, counsel with you, or guide you. A mentor can give you ideas, lift your vision, and help you develop your full potential. Pray for guidance to find and develop these special friendships.

Talking to people about these things is not difficult. You could say, “Hi, Joseph. I’m considering becoming a computer programmer. I know you work as a programmer. Would you have a few minutes for me to ask you some questions?” Most people are willing and happy to help.

Discuss:When have you asked someone an important question about work and received a helpful answer?

Read:When you seek advice from others:

• Have a few specific questions to ask (make sure the questions are appropriate).

• Write down what they tell you.

• Do not take more time than you asked for (keep it brief).

• Be polite.

• Do not ask the person for a job.

• Thank the person for his or her time.

5. Update Your Self-Reliance Plan

Activity (5 minutes)

Update your self-reliance plan below. During the week, talk with people and read (on the internet and other sources) about the three jobs you are considering. Heavenly Father knows you better than you know yourself. Pray tonight about which three job options are best for you. You may feel prompted to add other jobs to your list or to remove some jobs.

My Self-Reliance Goal (chapter 1)

I will

so that I can .

My Job Plan

I will compare these three jobs:

Discuss:What are the most important things you learned in today’s group meeting?