1. Researching Careers
Chapter 3
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2. Research Been there, done that
Talk to people you know about their career experiences. Just ask a few basic questions.
What was your favorite job?
What was your least favorite job?
What was your most unusual job?
How do you like your current job?
U.S. Department of Education Career Clusters (p. 51) – Helpful when selecting classes for next year
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3. Formal Research Libraries – Check them out Books
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
Describes more than 20,000 jobs
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
Updated every 2 years, describes the type of work, training & education required, and the future outlook for many careers
The Guide for Occupational Exploration
Groups careers into categories
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4. Additional Print Resources
The Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature
An index of magazine articles. Use it to find stories about career trends.
The Occupational Outlook Quarterly
Published by the Department of Labor, provides up-to-date information on employment trends
Job listings in your local newspaper
Many labor organizations & industry service groups produce videos of workers in action
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5. Internet Job Services
Websites, newsgroups, & bulletin boards created by trade organizations, companies, & individuals – all designed for job recruitment & career research
I.e. Monster.com
Career info services offered by Govt.
O*Net (online version of Occupational Outlook Handbook)
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6. Exploratory Interviews
Talk with people who have a career that interests you. Try to arrange an exploratory interview (short, informal talk with someone in the career that appeals to you)
Sample questions:
How did you start your career?
What education & training did it require?
What do you like about your job?
What do you do on a typical day?
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7. Part-Time Work Most direct way to learn about the career
Gain experience, make personal contacts, & make money at the same time
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8. Work-Experience Programs
A chance to learn job skills while still in school
Allows you to earn class credit and a grade (Co-Op)
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9. Job Shadowing Following a worker for a few days on the job Internships
More formal position that usually requires a longer-term commitment than simply volunteering.
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10. What information should you get?
Values
Tasks & responsibilities
Working with data-people-things
Work environment
Working hours
Aptitudes & abilities
Education & training
Salary & benefits
Career outlook
International career outlook
4. Your physical & social surroundings at work
5. Flextime – some careers allow you to construct your work schedule around your lives.
8. Benefits – health insurance, paid vacation & holiday time, and a retirement plan
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