Week 3 of the Challenge

1.  Account established and exams browsed.

2.  I chose several to practice the exams on.  My scores will NOT be blogged.
     The ASVAB.  Many of our students enter military service after completion of the Job Corp program, so I felt this would be a good one.  The ASVAB practice test was in PDF form.  I did not see one that was for practice on the computer.  PDF is fine because it can be printed, copies made, and distributed to several students at once.  A hard copy can be stored in case computers are down or there is not accessibility.
      Math Reasoning...... I hate square roots.  Didn't have much of a clue on the questions.
           - Alegebra.  This one I enjoyed because I've always liked it.  The answer choices were good with a couple being close to the answer and at least one being obviously wrong.  My score was' too bad.
           - Fractions.  I felt it was a very good practice exams.  Students generally tell me they "hate" fractions, but I think with this exam, pencil and paper, they will find it easier to learn from.  My score was good.
     U.S. Constitution.  You wouldn't believe I was a History major from my score, but that was 35 years ago.  Questions were on the 16th and 17th amendments and I feel that if this was the area of study for a student, the exam would be good.  They have the ability to research and review to help them study.
      Reading.  I also liked this one.  Most of our students are slow readers.  They also have limited vocabulary.  This practice exam will help them prepare for actual exams that may have time limits for completion.
      Spelling.  This exam was also in PDF form.  Good for printing out and distributing and keeping on file.
      GED.  Science.  This exam had answer boxes as well as multiple choice.  This may give the examiner a little more objectivity when scoring the practice exam.
All in all I felt the practice exam section the Learning express Library is a good resource for students to prepare for subjects and exams they will be taking for the program.

3.  Job searching and resume writing.  I chose Probation Officer.  I checked under Legal, Law Enforcement, and Case Management.  I did not find Probation Officer.  Then I did a search and found it.  I figured this might be a career I could do in the future given my experience with youth at risk.  I did the practice exam.  Even though my score wasn't bad, I did find out that I need to "toughen up" if I want to pursue this career.  I was too lenient and forgiving on parolee violations.

4. I did a search for jobs for veterans.  The ebook that I downloaded was Best Careers for Veterans.  It is 352 pages in length and covers everything from how to present yourself, answer questions, transfer your training into the civilian life and careers that are good for you.  These portions of the book are primarily for the new vet just getting out.  It has been a long time since my discharge, so I went to the chapter on VET friendly Companies.  It listed 47 national companies that are known to hire Vets and maybe give them a little preference.  I found 6 in the Rapid City area that may be worth exploring should I want to change jobs in the future.