Welcome to the Real World is an active, hands-on, real-life simulation, which gives young people in grades 6-12 the opportunity to explore career opportunities and make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis. Participants assume that they have completed the basic educational requirements for a job and are single, 25 years of age, and independent with no financial support from family or others. After investigating potential careers, program participants receive a monthly salary for their chosen career and then proceed through the Real World activity, deducting taxes, determining a savings amount, and spending their monthly ?salary? on the necessary and luxury items that reflect the career and lifestyle they have chosen. Welcome to the Real World relates to the Illinois Learning Standards in language arts, mathematics, and social sciences.