The Boy and His Vocation

CALIFORNIA

JOHN IRVING SOWERS

Director of Vocational Education
Miami, Florida

THE MANUAL ARTS PRESS
PEORIA, ILLINOIS

AMALIAO

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PREFACE

HE material comprising this volume is the direct result of a number of years' experience working with and acting as counselor for boys. Practically all the material has been used as class lectures and talks to groups of boys. Use over a period of time has suggested such additions and changes as seemed best fitted to function in the life of the boys to whom the instruction has been given.

The matter of vocational and life guidance, according to the experience of the author, needs to be inspirational and stimulating as well as didactic. The boy needs to get such a peep into the estate of manhood as will tend to give him vision and helpful ideals, about such common things as work, character, thrift, health, and citizenship. He needs to get a longer focal view of the matters of education and vocation than that at which the boy usually arrives until too late to profit by the knowledge. He needs to be awakened to the necessity of a training that will fit him not only for a vocation but for all the obligations of life. It has been the object to submit these things to the boy in language that he can understand, and in such form that he can use the knowledge with profit now.

A few boys make a selection of a course of study, or training for a vocation, because of mental ability or dexterity in this or that line of endeavor; but many more arrive at such choices through a mental process. Initial steps in guidance need, it seems then, to be broad and general rather than specific;

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it needs to contain not only information about occupations, but also should include information about such basic character values as are expressed in a good neighbor, a cultured man, and an honest helpful citizen of the State and Nation.

The final section of the book is devoted to rather specific information regarding self salesmanship in obtaining employment.

The material as presented has been found to function best when used as regular class work in the eighth and ninth grades. The exercises at the close of each section are intended to prove helpful in the study of the text matter. Sufficient outside reading has been suggested to enrich the studies and to permit original research. Used in part-time schools, the matter has been found effective.

In preparation of the book I am indebted to material gleaned from many sources, as well as clippings brought in and suggestions made by students; to Professor Emery T. Filby of the School of Education, Chicago University for reading the manuscript and offering helpful suggestions; and to many others who have offered suggestions on parts of the manuscript. The illustrations were drawn by Irving C. McConnell, head of the art work in the public schools, Miami, Florida. In using the book one is apt to study the text material first and then give more or less casual attention to the exercises at the end of the section. This method might be improved by examining first the "exercises" as a guide to the reading.

Miami, Florida.

J. I. S.