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Youth Services

Get Job Ready

I’m ready to work, or at least I think so. Can anyone help me?

There’s more involved in “getting a job” than you probably think. And this is definitely a time in which the more you know, the better off you will be. The following organizations will help you learn the ropes BEFORE you look for a job—like writing a resume or cover letter and super important things like follow-ups and sending thank-you letters!

Youth Networked Services

  • Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
    Youth ages 14-24 have access to work readiness workshops, paid work experience, community resources, post-secondary education enrollment, vocational training, supported services, and incentives for program completion.
  • Youth Employment Service (YES)
    The Youth Employment Service (YES) is provided at no cost to the youth of Simi Valley. Youth can make appointments to receive coaching on the job application process, interview skills, professionalism in the workplace, and job referrals. Appointments can be made by calling (805) 583-6766.
  • California Conservation Corps
    The California Conservation Corps (CCC) is a state agency hiring young men and women, 18 to 25, for a year of natural resource work and emergency response that puts youth and the environment together to benefit both. In addition to learning basic work skills, the CCC offers a Core Training Program throughout a member's stay.

Resumes

  • Resume Samples
    Take a look at this comprehensive library containing hundreds of thousands of quality resume samples across all industries.
  • Up To Work Resume Writing 101!
    Everything anyone needs to know about writing the resume that will get you the job. You will find step-by-step guides, resume samples, how to tailor your resume to a job description, and everything in-between.
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
    This résumé workshop provides detailed explanations, as well step-by-step processes, for creating an effective résumé. This site also contains quick tips and resources.

Writing Letters

  • Cover Letters
    Your cover letter is the place you sell your skills and show your interest the job. This CareerOneStop resource provides examples and best practices to follow when crafting a letter.
  • Letter Examples & Writing Tips
    100+ free cover letter samples listed by type, format, and job.
  • Design Your Cover Letter!
    Writing a smart cover letter can get your foot in the door. This guide will help you to craft the best letter possible.

Get Training

How do I get the skills I need for the job I want?

If you know the kind of job you want, you’ve taken the first step—a very IMPORTANT one by the way! Now it’s time to find where you can get trained for the job you want. Adult school, vocational school, or an apprenticeship could all be the right choice. Explore them!

Apprenticeships

  • State of California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Apprenticeship Program
    The DIR website enables us to search for available apprenticeship programs by occupation and counties within the State of California.
  • Apprenticeship.gov
    Apprenticeships provide job seekers paid, workplace experiences to develop skills that employers value. Additionally, they provide affordable paths to good jobs and long-term careers.
  • Cal Apprenticeships
    An apprenticeship is an excellent career choice if you like to work with your hands; are willing to serve an apprenticeship for up to five years, have dexterity, mechanical ability, problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a team. Learn more about various types of apprenticeship career paths on this site.

Adult Education

  • Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
    VACE (including the Technology Development Center) has flexible scheduling and course times that will work with your job or other commitments.
  • Oxnard Adult School
    Oxnard has several programs to get you started in basic education, life-long learning and parent education.
  • Simi Institute for Careers & Education
    Simi Institute has 130 occupational training programs and classes ranging in fields from computer technology to cosmetology.
  • Conejo Valley Adult School
    Conejo offers certification and training programs, including computer classes and medical programs.
  • Fillmore Adult School
    Fillmore Adult School has three locations to serve you. Enroll anytime, classes in computer literacy, job skills, ESL and more.
  • Ojai Adult Continuing Education
    Ojai Unified School District’s Adult Education courses are designed to support and promote the personal and professional development of the adults in the community.
  • Santa Paula Adult Education
    Santa Paula Adult Education is located at Renaissance High School. Courses include computer skills, GED, ESL, citizenship and more.

Trades/Vocational

  • Explore the Trades
    Skilled tradespeople are in demand. Plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians are in position to take advantage of great opportunities now and in the years to come.
  • Explore Trade Schools
    Explore a hub for locating nearby schools and colleges, while researching specific details about the trades you're considering. Locate specific trades, industry details and the locations nearest to you, all in one convenient platform.
  • Vocational Training
    There are many career opportunities to be discovered through post-secondary vocational training. Click on the link to learn more about these careers and their educational requirements.
  • Exploring Vocational Programs
    Become part of a highly trained, educated, & skilled workforce. Click on the link to learn more about vocational careers and their educational requirements.

On-the-Job-Training (OJT)

  • America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) OJT Programs
    OJT employers use their own system to teach their employees the new skills necessary for successful permanent employment within their companies. Contact an AJCC in Ventura County to see if you qualify for a subsidized OJT job placement opportunity.

Get Work Experience

You need to get a job but everyone wants work experience first. So how are you going to do that?

Volunteer, seek an internship, do seasonal or temporary work! Getting work experience for the first time often means working for little to no pay—but that’s OK, the experience and education you gain from it are priceless, you’re building the foundation of your work life.

Career Education Internship

 

  • California Lutheran University (CLU)
    CLU offers currently enrolled college students several avenues to securing full-time jobs, internships, and on-campus part-time work-study jobs.
  • California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI)
    CSUCI offers this one-stop shop to currently enrolled college students for jobs/internships including 500+ positions (e.g., on-campus, part-time, and full-time positions).
  • Land the Perfect Internship
    Internships provide opportunities to learn about careers that match your academic and personal interests. Benefits are many, including test-driving a future career as well as building your professional network.
  • P-20 Council
    The Ventura County P-20 Council is working to connect internship candidates with employers throughout Ventura County.

Youth Employment Program

  • Youth Program Finder
    Find youth employment programs in your area. If you're between the ages of 16 and 24, you may be able to find free job, career, and training assistance at a local youth program. Different programs offer different services, contact a few programs to ask what kinds of assistance they offer.

Volunteer

  • Volunteer Match
    Volunteer work expands your understanding of other people's lives and working together for a common cause. Bringing Good Causes and Good People Together.
  • Volunteer Ventura County
    You can volunteer right here close to home! This site lists opportunities that you can sign up for and participate in without having to travel very far. Make a difference in your own community.

Seasonal or “Temp”

  • Get Info on Seasonal/Part Time Employment
    In a “temp” or seasonal job an employee is expected to remain in a position only for a certain period of time. Check out this informative DOL (Department of Labor) page—everything you need to know about PT employment including a great FAQ section.

Job Shadowing

  • Job Shadowing
    Learn about a job by shadowing a competent worker. If you know someone doing the type of work you are considering, ask them if you could ‘shadow’ for a day or two!

Choose Your Career

Knowing what you want to do is only part of the equation

Do you like computers or to be outdoors, work with seniors or perhaps kids? It’s time to really dig into career choices…

Find a Career I Like

  • Watch a Video on Your Career Choice! MyPlan.com offers videos on hundreds of jobs and career paths. You can literally see what a job you are considering looks and sounds like.
  • California Occupational Guides Find just about everything you might want to know about any job or career on your list - including opportunities, wages, licensing, education and training requirements.
  • California Career Zone Explore your options after high school by checking out which career, training or education choices you have. You must register, but it’s really simple—and well worth your time.
  • O*Net Online An online personality profiler and career database maintained by the Department of Labor that gives you detailed information about the careers you are considering, including projected salaries, required education, and more.

What’s Hot in Ventura County?

  • 100 Fastest Growing Occupations in Ventura County
    See how ‘what you want to be’ matches with projected local job opportunities in the future!
  • Growing Careers in Ventura County
  • Agriculture
    It’s all around us in Ventura County, acres of strawberries, citrus and avocado orchards, but have you ever thought of the professional opportunities in agriculture? Farming and farm-dependent businesses provide an estimated 43,000 jobs in Ventura County, generating $2.2 billion in revenue and $76 million in indirect business taxes annually. Learn more about career pathways in agriculture.
  • Manufacturing
    A career in Manufacturing can offer you many exciting opportunities. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SMEEF) helps you to explore the possibilities. Find out how to register for a SMEEF summer camp or apply for a scholarship and other financial aid resources. Look here for growing and well-paying Manufacturing jobs in Ventura County.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare jobs provide critical support for healthcare systems and services, offering a wide range of careers from physical therapists to lab technicians. Look here for growing and well-paying Healthcare jobs in Ventura County.
  • Business Services
    Business Services jobs are found throughout the business world. They involve processes, implementation, management and much more. Check out the All Business Schools site to find which business careers interest you and how to obtain the proper degrees to get a good job.
    Look here for growing and well-paying Business Services jobs in Ventura County.
  • Clean Green
    Clean Green jobs support environmental sustainability through planning, technology, smart business practices, and community education. Check out My Next Move to find which green careers interest you and how to take the proper courses to qualify for certifications to get a good job. Look here for growing and well-paying Clean Green jobs in Ventura County.

How Do I Get There?

  • Narrowed Down Your Career Choices?
    This tool from California’s Community Colleges network allows you to see what type of training or education is needed for a career choice, which community colleges near you offer that certificate or degree and how your earnings may grow over time.
  • Skills Matcher
    Ready to jumpstart, change, or advance on your career path? Tell us about your skills and we'll show you career options that might be a good fit.

Finish High School

Dropped out? Got bored? But need or want to go back and get your diploma?

Having a high school diploma or GED is like having a key that unlocks doors—if you don’t have it, it will be a lot harder to get through the door! Decide here to make it happen—we promise you won’t regret it.

GED

High School Equivalency

High School Proficiency

  • I Want To Get My High School Proficiency!
    California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)
    • CHSPE is a test for students who need to verify high school level skills. In some cases, students take the test and leave high school early to work or to attend college.
    • People who are 16 years of age or older may take the test. Younger people who meet other criteria can also take the test. This test is given twice each year at many sites in California.
    • At the time the test is taken, the registrant must be either: (1) sixteen years of age; or (2) have completed one year of enrollment in grade ten; or (3) will have completed one year of enrollment in grade ten at the end of the semester during which the next exam is administered. There is no upper age limit to take the test.

Want to Return to High School?

  • I Dropped Out and Want to Return to High School, Can I Do That? It depends on your age, how long ago you dropped out, and state & local laws. Best bet would be to talk to your HS counselor and look at all your options, you have a few—including getting your HS Proficiency or HS Equivalency or your GED. If you are an adult (19+ years) consider Career Online High School (COHS) through the Ventura County Library.  It offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online.

Find My Direction

What can I do? What am I good at? What do I like to do?

Yes, this is a BIG decision and for most people it’s not an easy one either! It’s also not something that is FOREVER, you CAN change your mind! The best thing to do right now is to get to know yourself—what things make you happy and what things don’t, and what things don’t matter to you at all.

What Job is Right for Me?

  • What Job Could Make You Happiest?
    Answer these 24 questions steer you towards your dream job
  • What Career is Right for You?
    Take the most popular career skills test on the internet and discover the careers that may be best for you.
  • What Interests You Most?
    Have 5 minutes? Take this online test and find out how your interests and career choices can overlap.
  • Do What You Love!
    Read about one person’s system to identify and pursue your passion
  • What’s My Temperament?
    Kiersy.com is a quick and painless “temperament sorter” that analyzes your personality to help you determine what your working style is and in what professional environment you’ll thrive.

How much can I make?

Job Shadowing

  • Job Shadowing
    Learn about a job by shadowing a competent worker. If you know someone doing the type of work you are considering, ask them if you could ‘shadow’ for a day or two!