1. Career and Financial Management
Researching Careers

2. Objectives Differentiate between formal and informal research methods
Identify sources for obtaining career information
List work related experiences that can help explore careers

3. Exploring Careers To learn about any topic you first need a source
Website, book, person, article, magazine
Primary source and secondary source

4. Primary Source
A primary source is a person, event, or document from which you get information directly
Original documents
Creative works
Relics or artifacts

5. Secondary Source
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources
Publications
Hear second-hand

6. Informal Research Informal Research Conducting Informal Research
Initial research
Helpful for generating ideas
Does not provide complete information
Conducting Informal Research
Everyday observations
Interviews

7. Formal Research Formal Research Conducting Formal Research
Fully developed
Formally presented
Enough information available for action
Conducting Formal Research
Look for written reports, speeches, and multimedia presentations
Create a log of sources and a summary of findings

8. Checking Sources
When conducting research, the credibility of sources needs to be determined
Check information against other sources
Check for sources that appear biased
Check to ensure information is complete and accurate

9. The Bottom Line
Sources
Primary
Secondary
Research
Formal
Informal

10. Sources of Career Information
Library
Department of Labor
Exploratory Interviews
School Counselor
Internet

11. Library Career Information Centers Books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Local newspapers
Employment opportunities in the area
Ask the librarian for help

12. Department of Labor Sources
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupation Outlook Handbook
Updated every 2 years
Describes type of work, training, and education required
Future outlook
Guide for Occupational Careers
Groups careers into categories
Many occupations described within each category

13. Exploratory Interviews
Exploratory Interview: a short informal talk with someone who works in a career that appeals to you
Develop questions ahead of time
How did you start your career?
What does a typical workday look like?
What education and training did you need?
What do you enjoy about your job?

14. School Counselor
Trained to assist you in researching and exploring careers
Locate information regarding:
Careers and their educational requirements
Colleges and trade/technical schools
Government service and recruiting information
Local opportunities to explore jobs of interest

15. Internet Wide arrange of career resources Employment Websites
Job Skills Website
Career Databases
Job postings
Local, national, international

16. Internet Pros & Cons Pros Cons Quick, easy Frustrating
Variety of sources
Inaccurate information

17. Website Credibility ONE
Look for sites ending in .edu, .gov,.us, and .(state abbreviation)
TWO
Beware of URLs that contain tildes (~)
THREE
Check the publishing date
FOUR
Determine the purpose of the site
FIVE
Check out the contact information and resources
SIX
Decide of the site is describing facts or the author’s opinion
SEVEN
Did the article answer all of your questions

18. Exploratory Interview Sources of Career Information
The Bottom Line
Library
Exploratory Interview
Books
Sources of Career Information
Internet

19. Learning from Experience
Best way to learn about a career is to work
Part-time work
Gain experience
Make personal contacts
Earn money
Students should only work part-time if their schedule allows it

20. Temp Work Temp Work: short-term employment Agencies place employees
Can last a few days to indefinitely
PROS
Cons
Develop job skills
Limited/No benefits
Experience different work environments
No job security
Develop contacts for permanent employment

21. Work Experience Programs
Vocational Education
Cooperative Programs
Job Shadowing
Volunteer Work
Internships
Service Learning

22. Work Experience Programs
Vocational Education Programs: learn job skills and earn high school credit for working
Cooperative Program: local businesses team up with schools
Hire students to perform jobs that use knowledge and skills taught in the classroom

23. Work Experience Programs
Job Shadowing: following a worker on the job for a few days
Learn about a career through observation

24. Work Experience Programs
Volunteer work: not paid for work, but gain valuable experience
Hospitals, parks, and museums

25. Work Experience Programs
Internship: short-term job or work project that usually requires a formal commitment
Paid or unpaid
Learn vital job skills
Can lead to full-time employment
Service Learning: programs that connect academic work with community service
Explore classroom knowledge through experience and community work

26. The Bottom Line Job Shadowing Volunteer Work Cooperative Programs
Internships
Work Experience
Vocational Education
Service Learning