Section 3.1

Section 3.1Exploring Careers

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Chapter 3 • Researching Careers Succeeding in the World of Work

Exploring CareersExploring Careers3.1

Methods for researching careers Methods for researching careers formally and informallyformally and informally

How part-time work experience How part-time work experience can help you explore career can help you explore career choiceschoices

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN



Exploring careers will help you Exploring careers will help you find the employment options that find the employment options that best match your interests, best match your interests, values, and personal needs.values, and personal needs.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT



Internet job servicesInternet job servicesexploratory interviewexploratory interviewcooperative programcooperative programjob shadowingjob shadowinginternshipinternshipservice learningservice learning

KEY TERMS



You can discover what the world of work You can discover what the world of work has to offer by simply keeping your eyes has to offer by simply keeping your eyes and ears open.and ears open.

ResearchResearch—It’s Right Before —It’s Right Before Your Very EyesYour Very Eyes



Talk to people you know about their Talk to people you know about their career experience. Just ask a few basic career experience. Just ask a few basic questions.questions.

Informal Career ResearchInformal Career Research

What was your favorite job?What was your favorite job?

What was your least favorite job?What was your least favorite job?continued



Informal Career ResearchInformal Career ResearchWhat was your most unusual job?What was your most unusual job?

How do you like your current job?How do you like your current job?



Many libraries have job information Many libraries have job information centers or career centers.centers or career centers.

LibrariesLibraries—Check Them Out—Check Them Out



Look for these useful resources at the Look for these useful resources at the library:library:


Dictionary of Occupational TitlesDictionary of Occupational TitlesOccupational Outlook HandbookOccupational Outlook HandbookGuide for Occupational ExplorationGuide for Occupational Exploration

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Reader’s Guide to Periodical Reader’s Guide to Periodical LiteratureLiteratureOccupational Outlook QuarterlyOccupational Outlook Quarterly



The The World Wide Web World Wide Web offers a wide offers a wide range of range of Internet job servicesInternet job services designed designed for for job recruitmentjob recruitment and and career career research.research.

Internet Job ServicesInternet Job Services



Most Web sites list job opportunities in Most Web sites list job opportunities in different industries according to title, key different industries according to title, key duties, location, and other criteria.duties, location, and other criteria.

Internet Job ServicesInternet Job Services



Ask your Ask your familyfamily, friends, neighbors, , friends, neighbors, teachersteachers, and , and counselorscounselors to help you to help you build a list of people who work in careers build a list of people who work in careers that you find interesting.that you find interesting.

Exploratory InterviewsExploratory Interviews



After doing some initial research into a After doing some initial research into a career, call the person and arrange an career, call the person and arrange an exploratory interview.exploratory interview.


An An exploratory interviewexploratory interview is a short, is a short, informal talk with someone who works in informal talk with someone who works in a career that appeals to you.a career that appeals to you.



Ask questions such as these:Ask questions such as these:


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



The most direct way to learn about a The most direct way to learn about a career is to work.career is to work.

If your schedule allows it, working part-If your schedule allows it, working part-time will enable you to observe a career time will enable you to observe a career from the inside.from the inside.

Part-Time WorkPart-Time Work



You may be able to find a You may be able to find a part-time jobpart-time job through a vocational educational through a vocational educational program.program.

Such programs give you a chance to Such programs give you a chance to learn learn job skillsjob skills while you are still in high while you are still in high school.school.

Work Experience ProgramsWork Experience Programs



Job shadowingJob shadowing involves following a involves following a worker for a few days on the job. worker for a few days on the job.

Job shadowing helps you learn the Job shadowing helps you learn the ropes by ropes by watching and listeningwatching and listening..

Job ShadowingJob Shadowing



Volunteers don’t usually receive a Volunteers don’t usually receive a salary, but they are paid in salary, but they are paid in valuable valuable experience.experience.

Volunteering and InternshipsVolunteering and Internships



An An internshipinternship is a more formal position is a more formal position that helps you learn job skills.that helps you learn job skills.

Internships require a longer-term Internships require a longer-term commitment than volunteering does.commitment than volunteering does.




Service learningService learning is offered by many is offered by many communities and schools.communities and schools.

In such programs, In such programs, community servicecommunity service —for example, cleaning up a —for example, cleaning up a neighborhood —becomes part of your neighborhood —becomes part of your schoolwork.schoolwork.



Exploring CareersExploring Careers3.1 Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer3.1


Sources of Career IdeasSources of Career Ideas

PEOPLE WORK READING• Family• Friends• Teachers• Counselors• Neighbors

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

• Books• Magazines• Newspapers• Internet



ETHICS in ActionEthical AttitudesEthical AttitudesYou and a classmate are volunteering at a You and a classmate are volunteering at a local nursing home together as a service local nursing home together as a service learning activity. However, your classmate learning activity. However, your classmate often arrives late and leaves early, and she often arrives late and leaves early, and she frequently works on her homework instead frequently works on her homework instead of spending time with the residents.of spending time with the residents.

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ETHICS in ActionEthical AttitudesEthical AttitudesHer excuse is that she doesn’t need to work Her excuse is that she doesn’t need to work hard because she is not getting paid.hard because she is not getting paid.

THINK ABOUT ITTHINK ABOUT ITWhat is your response to your classmate’s What is your response to your classmate’s attitude?attitude?

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Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointComprehensionComprehension

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

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SECTION 3.1 REVIEWSECTION 3.1 REVIEW




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

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

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Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointCritical ThinkingCritical Thinking

4.4. Why is it important to consider Why is it important to consider several career options, even if you’re several career options, even if you’re sure of your career choice?sure of your career choice?


End of Section 3.1Exploring Careers

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Section 3.1