Teens, 20s: Learn, plan and dream

November is National Career Development Month, a designation that takes on almost wistful tones in a period of rising unemployment and job uncertainty. How can one develop a career when just staying employed seems difficult?
Still, the economy is cyclical, and workers of every generation must prepare to move ahead. The next four columns will present strategies based loosely on ages and life stages, starting with career planning for people in their teens and 20s; next in the series will be advice for people in their 30s and 40s, for people in their 50s, and for people age 60 and beyond.
The teens and 20s:
At this stage of your life, career planning can, and probably should, seem very abstract. It's difficult enough just to finish high school, and possibly advanced training, without trying to plan for jobs that have not yet been invented.
And yet, the decisions you make now will provide the foundation for a work life that could span 50 years -- or more. Here are some things to keep in mind for this period in your life:
The learning curve
Your primary task in your teens and 20s is to learn -- about anything and everything. You need to finish high school and make your first choice about advanced training. Will you go to college? Vocational school? Into the military? You also need to learn the basics of living as an adult: managing money, setting and reaching goals, getting and keeping jobs. Some teens and twentysomethings will buy homes or start a family.
As a teen, you are most likely living with your parents. Twentysomethings may also return home, or may not have left yet to live on their own. If so, use this time to good advantage, by finishing a degree or saving aggressively for a home.
If you have started a family of your own, you may be rearing children while trying to finish high school or college. If so, focus on keeping your head above water, and don't do anything overly ambitious with career planning. Choose a job for its easy commute or flexible schedule, regardless of its relation to your long-term goals.
Although finances will always seem like a strain, the fact is you may have more freedom now than at almost any other time in your life -- if you avoid some common mistakes. To maintain that freedom, go slowly on large expenses and debts. Share housing with others and delay buying a car by living near public transportation. Avoid using a credit card; if you need or want more than you can afford, take short-term jobs to pay for the purchases. And, while school loans may seem inevitable, do all that you can to apply for grants and scholarships, and to reduce the interest rates on your loans.
Education is your primary task at this age. Finish high school and choose at least one post-secondary program, whether it's a technical skills program, military service, a two- or four-year degree, or certification in a trade or profession.
Staying flexible
Your best strategy for career planning is to let go of the lifelong career model. Your chances of keeping one career for 50 years are slim. On the other hand, skills and connections can last a lifetime.
Here are some things for teens and twentysomethings to consider when planning for a first career.
U Work with a five-year model of planning. What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? What will you need to make it happen?
U In every situation, including so-called "dead-end" jobs, concentrate on learning skills and meeting people. Work hard, and you will build a fan club of people who will help you in later jobs.
U Follow your interests, even if they seem unprofitable. Take part-time jobs, volunteer positions and classes.
UChoose something to focus on as a first career. It can be something you've worked at already or something you're studying. Seek advice from others in the field to find a good entry point for the work.
Balance the expectations of elders by listening carefully to their advice. Then follow your own path, using that advice when it proves helpful.
XAmy Lindgren, the owner of a career-consulting firm in St. Paul, Minn., can be reached at alindgren@pioneerpress.com.