CAREER EXPLORATION
The US Department of Labor estimates that today’s learner will have 10 – 14 jobs by the age of 38 and 60% will work in “jobs that don’t yet exist, using technologies that haven’t been invented, in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” (David Warlick- Connect Learning blog) Tomorrow’s workers will need to perform a variety of tasks requiring a broader knowledge base, and skills will need to be transferable from one job to another. The career exploration cycle helps you determine where you want to begin your working life and what the next move should be as you continue to change and grow within your career.
With a greater understanding of your skills, aptitudes, values and preferences, you can begin learning more about careers that may be a good fit for you. In addition, since 80% of the available jobs require some education beyond the high school level, your research can help you determine whether an apprenticeship, a certificate program, and/or completion of college will give you the additional knowledge and experience you will need to succeed in a chosen career.
- Self-Assessment - Who Am I?
Take a look inward and identify your interests, personality traits values, and skills through a variety of activities. Use resources to generate a list of possible careers. - Action - How Do I Get What I Want?
Develop a set of goals to put your plan into action and then follow your plan to achieve short-term, mid-range and long-term goals. - Career Exploration / Occupational Research - What’s Out There?
Learn about different career options through internet research, networking and informational interviewing, job shadowing and volunteer work. - Decision-Making - What Do I Want?
Bring together your knowledge of self (from self-assessment) and your knowledge of the occupation to decide on a career pathway to pursue.
There are a variety of resources to help you think about the world of work as part of your future.