How to Research Careers

Research  Research - Finding out more by reading and talking to people  Spend time observing the career –Visit job site –Talk to workers –See a real work day –Actual work experience

Library  Magazines, books, pamphlets  Reading – narrows the field  Online – information shared through computers connected to the Internet  Audiovisual materials –Videos, films, audiotapes

OOH – Occupational Outlook Handbook  Book to research the most common careers in the U.S.  250 occupations  Information given 1. Nature of the work – what the workers do on the job Job duties – a task you are expected to perform on the job 2. Working conditions – environment of the work place 3. Employment – number of jobs available and where they are 4. Training, other qualifications, and advancement Skills, knowledge, education, chances for advancement

OOH - continued 5. Job outlook – Number of jobs expected to go up or down 6. Earnings – average salary 7. Related occupations – occupations with similar skills, interests, and educational requirements 8. Sources of additional information – where to look for more information

GOE – Guide for Occupational Exploration  Book giving information on career areas  Careers divided into 12 interest areas –1. Kind of work done –2. Skills and abilities needed –3. How to decide if you could learn to do this kind of work –4. How to prepare for entry into the job area –5. Other factors to think about –Very helpful if you know your strongest interest

O*Net – Occupational Information Network  A comprehensive occupational data base, compiled by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.  Online -  Partnership between govt. & private businesses  Designed to react quickly to the changing job needs in the marketplace

Career Cruising  Online   User name = piggott  Password = mohawks  License paid by Northeast Educational Cooperative

Asking People About Their Work  Family  Friends  Teachers, guidance counselors  Yellow pages – addresses (write letters)  Have questions ready

Working – the real thing  Experience – duties or jobs you have done that will help your performance in future jobs. –1. Volunteer work – doing a job which you ae not paid for to gain the experience –2. Temporary jobs – A job obtained for the summer or any other time period that is limited –3. Part-time job – A job less than 40 hours per week, such as an after-school or weekend job –4. Work-study program – Jobs that give students a chance to explore careers while earning school credit –5. Entrepreneurship –Starting your own business

Additional Terms  ArkOTIS – Arkansas Occupation and Training Information System –A computerized career information delivery system containing career information, training and educational opportunities  Salary – Payment for work, usually given on yearly basis  Wages – Payment for work, usually figured by the hour

Full-time job – generally 40 hour work week or more Job Description – A definition of work duties Job Market – The need for workers in a particular occupation or field. Job Outlook – The future prospects for employment in a particular job or field Job Shadowing – Following a person on the job to learn job duties and responsibilities Specializing – Focusing or concentrating in a particular skill Work Environment – The surrounding physical conditions of a work place.