© 2012 NASDCTEc | 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 320, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 | 301-588-9630 | www.careertech.org
2
to be more productive. They make connections between abstract concepts with real-world applications and they make
correct insights about when it is appropriate to apply the use of an academic skill in a workplace situation.
3. Attend to personal health and nancial well-being.
Career-ready individuals understand the relationship between personal health, workplace performance and personal
well-being; they act on that understanding to regularly practice healthy diet, exercise and mental health activities. Career-
ready individuals also take regular action to contribute to their personal financial well-being, understanding that personal
financial security provides the peace of mind required to contribute more fully to their own career success.
4. Communicate clearly, eectively and with reason.
Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/
or visual methods. They communicate in the workplace with clarity and purpose to make maximum use of their own and
others’ time. They are excellent writers; they master conventions, word choice and organization and use effective tone and
presentation skills to articulate ideas. They are skilled at interacting with others; they are active listeners and speak clearly
and with purpose. Career-ready individuals think about the audience for their communication and prepare accordingly to
ensure the desired outcome.
5. Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions.
Career-ready individuals understand the interrelated nature of their actions and regularly make decisions that positively
impact and/or mitigate negative impact on other people, organizations and the environment. They are aware of and
utilize new technologies, understandings, procedures, materials and regulations affecting the nature of their work as it
relates to the impact on the social condition, the environment and profitability of the organization.
6. Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
Career-ready individuals regularly think of ideas that solve problems in new and different ways, and they contribute
those ideas in a useful and productive manner to improve their organization. They can consider unconventional ideas
and suggestions as solutions to issues, tasks or problems, and they discern which ideas and suggestions will add greatest
value. They seek new methods, practices and ideas from a variety of sources and seek to apply those ideas to their own
workplace. They take action on their ideas and understand how to bring innovation to an organization.
7. Employ valid and reliable research strategies.
Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or
inform strategies. They use a reliable research process to search for new information. They evaluate the validity of sources
when considering the use and adoption of external information or practices. They use an informed process to test new
ideas, information and practices in their workplace situation.
8. Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise
effective plans to solve the problem. They are aware of problems when they occur and take action quickly to address
the problem. They thoughtfully investigate the root cause of the problem prior to introducing solutions. They carefully
consider the options to solve the problem. Once a solution is agreed upon, they follow through to ensure the problem is
solved, whether through their own actions or the actions of others.
9. Model integrity, ethical leadership and eective management.
Career-ready individuals consistently act in ways that align to personal and community-held ideals and principles while
employing strategies to positively influence others in the workplace. They have a clear understanding of integrity and
act on this understanding in every decision. They use a variety of means to positively impact the direction and actions of
a team or organization, and they apply insights into human behavior to change others’ actions, attitudes and/or beliefs.
They recognize the near-term and long-term effects that management’s actions and attitudes can have on productivity,
morale and organizational culture.
10. Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals.
Career-ready individuals take personal ownership of their own educational and career goals, and they regularly act on a
plan to attain these goals. They understand their own career interests, preferences, goals and requirements. They have
perspective regarding the pathways available to them and the time, effort, experience and other requirements to pursue
each, including a path of entrepreneurship. They recognize the value of each step in the educational and experiential
process, and they recognize that nearly all career paths require ongoing education and experience. They seek counselors,
mentors and other experts to assist in the planning and execution of career and personal goals.