With so many options available, the choice of a career can seem daunting. You may be wondering; How do I choose a career? How do I find more information about different careers? There are many career exploration tools that can help you find the answers to these questions.
What Are Career Exploration Tools?
Career exploration tools assist people in identifying their interests in the workplace and the qualities they value in a job so they can explore careers that most closely match those qualities. Here are a few:
Networking
Networking can be an effective career exploration tool. Through networking with experts from a variety of industries, you can learn about the day-to-day duties of various professions, the skills necessary, and the accessible career routes. By gaining knowledge of various industries and businesses, as well as their cultures and values, networking gives you the chance to make well-informed decisions about your future career options.
By networking with industry leaders, you can create connections that could result in employment possibilities, mentorship, and career-enhancing advice. It can also help you in developing crucial soft skills, such as interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities, which are crucial in many professions.
By meeting people from different backgrounds and industries, you can broaden your professional network and create opportunities for cooperation and career progress.
Conduct an Informational Interview
Most people like to talk about their work, and they want to encourage others who have similar career goals and aspirations. Find someone who works in a field that interests you. Ask if you can visit with that person for a half hour or so for an informational interview.
Come to the interview with prepared questions such as:
- What type of schooling is required to succeed in this position?
- Can you describe your average day at work?
- Do opportunities for advancement exist, and what is expected of an individual to advance?
- What do you find most challenging and rewarding about this field?
- How do you see the employment outlook for this field over the next several years?
- Are there any government or organizational licensing requirements, and how do I obtain them?
- What is a good starting salary for this position?
Gain Work Experience
Other career exploration resources include internships or co-op programs. This can be done through school or found on sites like LinkedIn. You can receive educational credit and often a salary while working in a field related to your study. Not only will this experience become a good addition to your resume, but you will obtain firsthand experience.
A simple part-time job or volunteer experience will also give you valuable insight into a career field. An early investigation of career options will lead to saving time and money down the road.
Other career exploration resources:
- Take a personality test or career aptitude test
- Watch a “day in the life” video of someone working in a profession you’re interested in
- Gain certifications and complete training courses. This can help you know if you’ll like that field.