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Career
exploration is the process of researching
and exploring various career fields and
job opportunities to determine the career
that is right for you. Exploring various
career fields, job opportunities and work
options allow you to:
-
Identify new employment opportunities
related to your education, training, skills,
experience and qualifications.
- Identify
occupations that fit your values, interests,
skills, life and family
- Determine
what education and training you need to
remain competitive, marketable, competent
and proficient in your job and career
field.
HOW TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT
CAREERS
Making career choices involves researching
and learning about various careers, industries
and jobs. In the career exploration process
gather and research career information based
off your self-assessment results and your
interests, wants and needs. Process take
your time to think and learn carefully.
Then think about what you have learned,
talk it over with a person you trust, decide
on other things you need to learn, use more
information, and so forth.
Here
are some of the best ways to research careers:
Internet
- Career Exploration Tools
The Internet is one of the fastest growing
resources available to explore various careers
and jobs. Internet sites have been developed
and sponsored by government agencies (city,
state, and federal), non-profits organizations,
colleges and universities, school systems,
private companies and foundations to allow
persons to find occupations by using keywords
and codes and browsing by Job Families and
descriptors.
Internet
Search Engines
There are several search engines including
like Google, Ask Jeeves, Metacrawler, Yahoo,
Lycos, and others available to do searches
for information on various careers. When
using these sites, do a search by typing
in a keyword, such as Law Enforcement, Careers
in Accounting, etc. to go to the information
you are searching for.
Job
Search Sites
Job listing sites on the Internet include
Career Success Center, Careerbuilder, Monster,
America's Job Bank, Hot Jobs, Idealist and
others. If you find jobs that interest you
take time to read the job descriptions and
determine if it is the job you want and
will enjoy. Also determine if you have the
education, training, qualifications and
skills required by the employer to fill
the job.
Company/Organization
web sites
Most companies, organizations, and government
agencies list jobs in the employment, jobs
or career opportunities section of their
website. As you continue the career exploration
process look for companies and organizations
in your areas of interest. Look for the
Careers, Employment or Job Opportunities
section on the home page or in the About
Us or Contact Us section. If you cannot
find the section there look for the site
index or search area and look for them there.
After
you find the Careers, Employment or Job
Opportunities section of a company or organization
conduct a keyword and career field/job category
search to find jobs that match your interest
you. Read the job descriptions and determine
if this is a job that you are interested
in and will enjoy. Also determine if you
have the education, training, qualifications
and skills required by the employer to do
the job.
Newspapers
Most newspapers in major cities have a large
employment listing. Most newspapers have
a daily listings as well. Also check the
free weekly papers "Help Wanted"
or "Employment" sections. Read
the job descriptions and determine if this
will be a job that you are interested in
and will enjoy. Also determine if you have
the education, training, qualifications
and skills required by the employer to do
the job.
Direct
contact
Most employer/organization has directories
& phone book with listing by departments
or activities. You can find contact information
for companies in these resources. Look for
the human resources department or the department
that interests you and inquire about employment
opportunities.
Career
Centers
Most colleges and universities have career
centers with many resources to help you
explore various careers. You can also receive
guidance from Career Counselors and other
support professionals at the center. You
can read about different careers in books
and journals located in the Career Center
library. You can also browse through employer
literature found at the Career Center library.
Many of these Career Center's have a website
with plenty of helpful information and links.
Career
Books
Career centers, colleges and public libraries
as well as bookstores have career sections
where you can find books on various careers
and directories of employers in certain
industries. You can use these books to explore
various career opportunities and employers
in the career fields of your interest.
Career
Fairs
Career Fairs by colleges and universities
are held in many major cities throughout
the year. Career Fairs are events where
employers set up booths and have recruiters
and employees talk to people about their
company, organization or agency. During
the fair the organizations representatives
discuss job opportunities, collect resumes
of potential candidates You can also collect
literature on the company get more information
on various employment opportunities in the
industry.
Alumni
Alumni from the college or university you
are attending can be a great source for
information on employment opportunities
in their career field or place of employment.
Colleges and universities generally keep
track of their Alumni and the current careers
they are involved in. Contact the Office
of Alumni Relations for Alumni contacts
in your field(s) of interest.
Association
& Membership Organizations
Most career fields or industries have associations
or membership organizations that represents
their interests and the members working
in the field. These organizations, such
as, American Management Association, American
Counseling Association, Society of Human
Resources Management, American Marketing
Association, represent various career fields
and provide opportunities to network and
meet people in the field of interest. These
organizations also have career centers on
their websites and may even have guides
to careers in that industry. They may also
have networking events or seminars/workshops
related to careers in the field. When exploring
various career fields always do a search
for associations.
Network
Contacts
Networking is very important in your career
development. Joining professional organizations,
attending professional events, seminars
and job fairs will help you build your network.
Utilize network contacts to help you determine
what opportunities are available in your
field(s) of interest and who you can talk
with to conduct an informational interview.
Professors/Professional
Staff
Many professors or professional staff persons
will have contacts outside the university.
Talking with them about your interests may
yield great contacts.
Volunteering
Volunteering can provide internship or externship
experience and opportunities to explore
various career fields and employment opportunities.
Many non-profits, non-governmental organizations,
government agencies and foundations have
volunteer opportunities. Doing volunteer
work is a good way to give some of your
time and energy to a worthy cause and allow
you to learn about various career and connecting
with some professionals who can provide
contacts and additional information.
Parents,
family, and friends
Share your career interests with your parents,
family member and friends. They may know
of a contact that can help you explore other
areas of interest.
Temp
or Placement Agencies
Many companies use these placement agencies
to hire temporary or permanent employees.
The more skills you have the better the
placement opportunities. Temporary assignments
will provide you an opportunity to learn
about various jobs and employers in a particular
field or industry. It is also a good way
to gain valuable experience and build your
resume. Temporary positions can turn into
a full-time position with the company...
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