Preparing for Work, Education, and Credit

This unit helps students transition from foundational financial concepts to real-world decisions about education, employment, and early adult financial responsibilities. Lessons guide learners through choosing educational pathways, finding and evaluating jobs and internships, managing paychecks and taxes, budgeting for living expenses, and building credit while protecting themselves from scams and considering basic insurance and investment ideas.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and compare postsecondary options (community college, four-year college, vocational training) and estimate associated costs, applying cost-reduction strategies and college-readiness resources to create an education plan
• Apply interviewing and job-search skills to obtain non-campus employment or internships, and demonstrate the ability to read and evaluate a job offer including net pay calculations and optional paycheck deductions
• Demonstrate the creation and use of a personal budget (including utilities, bills, and budgeting apps) and apply strategies for earning income as a teen while preparing long-term savings and homeownership goals
• Evaluate credit-building practices, basic investment principles, and insurance considerations, and implement steps to detect and respond to financial scams and filing requirements appropriate for teens