Exploring Careers

1
Section 3.1
Exploring Careers
2
WHAT YOULL LEARN

• Methods for researching careers formally and
  informally
• How part-time work experience can help you
  explore career choices

3
WHY ITS IMPORTANT
Exploring careers will help you find the
employment options that best match your
interests, values, and personal needs.
4
KEY TERMS

• Internet job services
• exploratory interview
• cooperative program
• job shadowing
• internship
• service learning

5
ResearchIts Right Before Your Very Eyes
You can discover what the world of work has to
offer by simply keeping your eyes and ears open.
6
Informal Career Research
Talk to people you know about their career
experience. Just ask a few basic questions.

• What was your favorite job?
• What was your least favorite job?

continued
7
Informal Career Research

• What was your most unusual job?
• How do you like your current job?

8
LibrariesCheck Them Out
Many libraries have job information centers or
career centers.
9
LibrariesCheck Them Out
Look for these useful resources at the library

• Dictionary of Occupational Titles
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Guide for Occupational Exploration

continued
10
LibrariesCheck Them Out

• Readers Guide to Periodical Literature
• Occupational Outlook Quarterly

11
Internet Job Services
The World Wide Web offers a wide range of
Internet job services designed for job
recruitment and career research.
12
Internet Job Services
Most Web sites list job opportunities in
different industries according to title, key
duties, location, and other criteria.
13
Exploratory Interviews
Ask your family, friends, neighbors, teachers,
and counselors to help you build a list of people
who work in careers that you find interesting.
14
Exploratory Interviews
After doing some initial research into a career,
call the person and arrange an exploratory
interview.
An exploratory interview is a short, informal
talk with someone who works in a career that
appeals to you.
15
Exploratory Interviews
Ask questions such as these

• How did you start your career?
• What education and training does this career
  require?
• What do you like about your job?
• What do you do on a typical day at your job?

16
Part-Time Work
The most direct way to learn about a career is to
work. If your schedule allows it, working
part-time will enable you to observe a career
from the inside.
17
Work Experience Programs
You may be able to find a part-time job through a
vocational educational program. Such programs
give you a chance to learn job skills while you
are still in high school.
18
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing involves following a worker for a
few days on the job. Job shadowing helps you
learn the ropes by watching and listening.
19
Volunteering and Internships
Volunteers dont usually receive a salary, but
they are paid in valuable experience.
20
Volunteering and Internships
An internship is a more formal position that
helps you learn job skills. Internships require
a longer-term commitment than volunteering does.
21
Volunteering and Internships
Service learning is offered by many communities
and schools. In such programs, community
servicefor example, cleaning up a neighborhood
becomes part of your schoolwork.
22
Graphic Organizer
3.1
Sources of Career Ideas
PEOPLE
WORK
READING

• Family
• Friends
• Teachers
• Counselors
• Neighbors

• Jobs
• Internships
• Volunteering
• Cooperative
• Education
• Job Shadowing

• Books
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Internet

Chapter 3 Researching Careers
Succeeding in the World of Work
23
ETHICS in Action
Ethical Attitudes You and a classmate are
volunteering at a local nursing home together as
a service learning activity. However, your
classmate often arrives late and leaves early,
and she frequently works on her homework instead
of spending time with the residents.
continued
24
ETHICS in Action
Ethical Attitudes Her excuse is that she doesnt
need to work hard because she is not getting paid.
THINK ABOUT IT What is your response to your
classmates attitude?
continued
25
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension

1. Why are talking to people and using media
   resources called informal methods of researching
   jobs?

continued
26
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension

1. What kinds of career information can you find in
   libraries and on the Internet?

continued
27
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension

1. What are some benefits of doing unpaid part-time
   work?

continued
28
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Critical Thinking

1. Why is it important to consider several career
   options, even if youre sure of your career
   choice?

29
End of Section 3.1
Exploring Careers