Career Exploration

Introduction

How many times have you been asked, What do you want to be when you grow up? What has been your response? If you’re like most teens, you may have little idea of how to answer that question. Deciding on a career path is a difficult process which takes a lot of time and consideration. Chances are you will make several career changes throughout your life

This presentation will help you learn more about the process of career exploration.

Introduction

The career exploration process involves:› Self- assessment› Career research› Planning

Self- Assessment

The first step in career exploration is to learn more about yourself

This includes exploring your….› Personality› Interests› Skills

Personality

Your personality is who you are and what makes you different from others.

When it comes to career exploration it is important to search for a career that works well with your personality.› For example, artistic people are more likely to be

successful and satisfied if they choose to work in an artistic environment with other artistic people.

One of the steps in self-assessment is learning more about your personality.

6 Basic Areas of Interest

Most people are one of six types:› Realistic› Investigative› Artistic› Social› Enterprising› Conventional

Interest Areas

Realistic› Skilled at working with tools, machines,

electronics, or plants and animals.› Values things you can see, touch, and use.› Sees self as practical, mechanical, and realistic.

Investigative› Likes to solve problems.› Generally avoids instructing or persuading

people.› Is good at math and science problems.› Sees self as scientific, and intellectual.

Interest Areas

Artistic› Likes to express themselves creatively through art. › Generally avoids highly structured or repetitive

activities. › Sees self as expressive, independent, and original.

Social› Likes to help people.› Is good at teaching, counseling, or nursing.› Values helping people and solving social problems.› Sees self as helpful, friendly, and loyal.

Interest Areas

Enterprising› Has leadership skills.› Enjoys leading and persuading people. › Values success in politics and leadership.› Sees self as sociable and ambitious.

Conventional› Likes to work with numbers or records.› Avoids unstructured activities.› Values success in business.› Sees self as organized and dependable.

Interests

Make a list of your interests:› What do you like doing?› What challenges you?› What experiences have you had in the

past that you enjoyed?

Skills

What things are you good at? This may include skills:

› You have had training for.› You have from volunteering.› You have from involvement in social

activities. Aptitude tests help identify skills.

› Aptitude= a natural or acquired talent or ability

Learning About Jobs

Personal Contacts› Talk with family and friends

Networking› Talk to people already working in the field of interest.

Job Shadow Research

› Go to libraries, career centers, and guidance offices. Mentoring

› Mentors share job knowledge and demonstrate work behaviors. Internet Networks & Resources

› Such as America’s Career InfoNet, America’s Job Bank & ISeek.org

National Career Information Such as OOH, OIQ, and the Military Career Guide

Career Clusters

What is a career cluster?› A career cluster is a group of occupations

that have certain things in common. Six main career clusters:

› Arts & Communication› Business & Management› Health & Medical Services› Human Services› Engineering & Industrial Services› Natural Resources

Arts & Communications

Product or Service:› Art, Music, and Literature.

Sample Occupations:› Actor› Journalist› Audio Technician› Graphic Designer

Business & Management

Product or Service:› Accounting and Management

Sample Occupations:› Administrator› Financial Analyst› Entrepreneur› Accountant

Health & Medical Services

Product or Service:› Medicine and Nutrition

Sample Occupations:› Pediatrician› Medical Assistant› Hospital Administrator› Physical Therapist

Human Services

Product or Service:› People and Education

Sample Occupations:› Social Worker› Psychologist› Teacher› Child Care Worker› Employment Specialist

Engineering & Industrial Systems

Product or Service:› Manufactured Goods

Sample Occupations:› Chemical Engineer› Biologist› Mathematician› Electrical Engineer› Network Administrator

Natural Resources

Product or Service:› Food and Agriculture

Sample Occupations:› Environmental Engineer› Food Scientist› Animal Scientist› Biochemist› Agriculture Teacher

Career Info To Explore

Educational Requirements Earnings Fringe Benefits Nature of Work Work Conditions Job Outlook Location