1. Section 3.1 Exploring Careers
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2. Methods for researching careers formally and informally
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Methods for researching careers formally and informally
How part-time work experience can help you explore career choices

3. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Exploring careers will help you find the employment options that best match your interests, values, and personal needs.

4. exploratory interview cooperative program job shadowing internship
KEY TERMS
Internet job services
exploratory interview
cooperative program
job shadowing
internship
service learning

5. Research—It’s 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?
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7. Informal Career Research
What was your most unusual job?
How do you like your current job?

8. Libraries—Check Them Out
Many libraries have job information centers or career centers.

9. Libraries—Check Them Out
Look for these useful resources at the library:
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Guide for Occupational Exploration
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10. Libraries—Check Them Out
Reader’s 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 don’t 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 service—for example, cleaning up a neighborhood —becomes part of your schoolwork.

22. Sources of Career Ideas
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.
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24. ETHICS in Action Ethical Attitudes THINK ABOUT IT
Her excuse is that she doesn’t need to work hard because she is not getting paid.
THINK ABOUT IT
What is your response to your classmate’s attitude?
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25. Key Concept Checkpoint
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
Why are talking to people and using media resources called informal methods of researching jobs?
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26. Key Concept Checkpoint
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
What kinds of career information can you find in libraries and on the Internet?
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27. Key Concept Checkpoint
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
What are some benefits of doing unpaid part-time work?
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28. Key Concept Checkpoint
SECTION 3.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Critical Thinking
Why is it important to consider several career options, even if you’re sure of your career choice?

29. End of Section 3.1 Exploring Careers
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