Chapter 4Exploring Careers

“We should not let our fears hold us

back from pursuing our hopes.”

-John F. Kennedy

The difference between a job and a career

• Job – Work a person does for pay that does

not require much training, knowledge, or

experience.

• Career – A person’s life work, which requires

planning, preparation, interest, and time.

• Sometimes jobs lead to careers.

• Entry-level – A “stepping stone” or a

beginning job that will take you on a path to

your ultimate career.

Fun Facts!

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average person will have at least 7 jobs before age 30!

It is projected that many people will change jobs 10 to 12 times – and might change careers as many as 3 times before retirement.

Approach these job changes with a positive attitude.

Using Informal Research

One way to explore careers is through informal research, which is learning about careers through a casual and friendly approach.

This research can include observing people where you go to school, family, neighbors, or people you don’t know at all.

When you are making arrangements for informal research, you are networking, or talking to people you know and others in your community to gather and share information.

Discovering Careers Through

Formal Research

Through formal research, which involves

using tools and information to investigate

facts, you can discover even more

information about jobs and careers.

As you begin your formal research, it is

important for you to know that all careers

have been grouped in categories called

career clusters.

A career cluster is a group of occupations

having related interests.

Career Clusters

Career clusters include nearly all

occupations from entry level to

professional level (high-level careers that

require earning a particular degree.)

Although slightly different career cluster

systems are available, the Guide for

Occupational Exploration, groups related

occupations into 14 career clusters.

Fourteen Career Interest Areas

Career Cluster

Arts, Entertainment,

and Media

Science, Math,

and Engineering

Jobs Related to Cluster

Actor/actress, coa

ch, illustrator, writer

Anthropologist, ch

emist, computer

programmer, veteri

narian

Plants and Animals

Law, Law

Enforcement, and

Public Safety

Mechanics, Installer

s, and Repairers

Agriculture

scientist, forester, la

ndscaper, wildlife

biologist

Correctional

officer, detective,

park

ranger, special

agent

Aircraft

mechanic, commu

nication

equipment

installer, medical

equipment repairer

Construction, Minin

g, and Drilling

Transportation

Industrial

Production

Bricklayer, electrici

an, pipe

fitter, sheet metal

worker

Airline pilot, freight

inspector, traffic

technician, transpo

rtation manager

Bakery

worker, electronics

tester, testing-

machine operator

Business Detail

Sales and

Marketing

Recreation, Travel,

and Other Personal

Services

Administrative

assistant, legal

secretary, library

assistant

Advertising

agent, public

relations

specialist, real

estate sales agent

Convention

planner, personal

aide, social

director

Education and

Social Service

General

Management and

Support

Medical and

Health Services

Caseworker, clergy

member, teacher,

urban planner

Accountant, financ

ial

manager, human

resource

manager, purchasi

ng agent

Audiologist, health

educator, medical

assistant, recreatio

nal therapist

Occupational Outlook

Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

provides information about 250 occupations.

The Department of Labor (DOL) updates it

frequently online.

Using the OOH, you can learn about what

workers do, how much they are paid, future

job prospects, and working conditions.

You can also learn about educational and

training requirements, advancement (getting

more responsibility and authority), and job

trends.

O*NET Database

The O*NET database is a government

sponsored computer program that

collects information from workers about

their jobs.

People can compare occupations and

find out about skill changes now and in

the future.

Using other Career Information

Sources

The information at the OOH and O*NET

websites is also printed in books.

The Guide for Occupational Exploration

(GOE) gives definitions and explanations

of each of 14 different career interest

areas.

There are many career

publications, magazines, and other online

sources of career information.

Learning about Careers

Hands-on experiences – actually

spending time on work sites – provides a

realistic way to explore and research

careers.

Employers like to hire people who already

have some experience in the workplace.

Career Shadowing

Career shadowing is observing a worker

and asking questions for a day or less in a

field of work you find interesting.

For instance, a student interested in

becoming a lawyer could spend a day

with a lawyer, following her around the

office, observing what she does in

courtroom as part of her everyday work

schedule, and asking appropriate

questions.

Part-time work

Part-time work is working a

few hours each week over

months or years.

It gives you an opportunity

to gain knowledge and

skills as well as earn money

to prepare for the future.

Temporary work

Temporary work is agreeing to work full-

time or part-time for only a few weeks or

months.

It gives you a chance to gain skills and

earn money for a limited time.

Some examples include summer jobs,

such as detasseling corn or working at an

amusement park.

Internships

Internships are opportunities to work in an industry through a school-related program to gain skills and experience, usually without pay.

Internships are one of the most valuable experiences you can have as you explore career opportunities.

Many employers hire their interns as employees.

Cooperative Education

Cooperative education programs offer

students opportunities to go to school and

work for pay at the same time.

Typically, they spend part of the day at

school and part of the day on the job.

I.C.E. (Interdisciplinary Cooperative

Education) is an example of a program

offered in many high schools.

Volunteering Volunteering is working without pay.

You might choose to volunteer because

you strongly believe in a cause.

Check out local hospitals, nursing

homes, veterinary offices, schools, and

food pantries for volunteering

opportunities.

In many schools and

communities, students have the

opportunity to participate in service

learning (doing community service as part

of a classroom assignment) programs.

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is creating your own job.

You may have started as an entrepreneur

at a young age, did you set up your own

lemonade stand?

If you are a creative person with self-

motivation, you can be quite successful in

operating your own business.

Recording Info. About

Potential Careers

The following questions provide you with a

guide as you research and record

information about different occupations.

What skills are needed to perform this

career?

What is the work environment (the

surroundings) like?

What values and lifestyles best match this

career?

What is the projected job outlook for this

career?