This document discusses various ways to explore careers, including both informal and formal research methods. It defines the differences between jobs and careers, and encourages pursuing hopes and changing jobs positively. Formal research tools covered include career clusters, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and O*NET database. Hands-on experiences like shadowing, part-time work, internships, volunteering, and entrepreneurship are recommended to learn about different fields. Key questions to consider when researching careers are also provided.

1. Chapter 4
Exploring Careers
“We should not let our fears hold us
back from pursuing our hopes.”
-John F. Kennedy

2. The difference between a job and a career
• Job – Work a person does for pay that does
not require much training, knowledge, or
experience.
• Career – A person’s life work, which requires
planning, preparation, interest, and time.
• Sometimes jobs lead to careers.
• Entry-level – A “stepping stone” or a
beginning job that will take you on a path to
your ultimate career.

3. Fun Facts!
 According to the U.S. Department of
Labor, the average person will have at
least 7 jobs before age 30!
 It is projected that many people will
change jobs 10 to 12 times – and might
change careers as many as 3 times
before retirement.
 Approach these job changes with a
positive attitude.

4. Using Informal Research
 One way to explore careers is through
informal research, which is learning about
careers through a casual and friendly
approach.
 This research can include observing
people where you go to
school, family, neighbors, or people you
don’t know at all.
 When you are making arrangements for
informal research, you are networking, or
talking to people you know and others in
your community to gather and share
information.

5. Discovering Careers Through
Formal Research
 Through formal research, which involves
using tools and information to investigate
facts, you can discover even more
information about jobs and careers.
 As you begin your formal research, it is
important for you to know that all careers
have been grouped in categories called
career clusters.
 A career cluster is a group of occupations
having related interests.

6. Career Clusters
 Career clusters include nearly all
occupations from entry level to
professional level (high-level careers that
require earning a particular degree.)
 Although slightly different career cluster
systems are available, the Guide for
Occupational Exploration, groups related
occupations into 14 career clusters.

7. Fourteen Career Interest Areas
Career Cluster Jobs Related to Cluster
 Arts,
Entertainment,  Actor/actress, coa
and Media ch, illustrator, writer
 Anthropologist, ch
 Science,Math, emist, computer
and Engineering programmer, veteri
narian

8.  Plants and Animals  Agriculture
scientist, forester, la
ndscaper, wildlife
biologist
 Law,Law  Correctional
Enforcement, and officer, detective,
Public Safety park
ranger, special
agent
 Mechanics,Installer
s, and Repairers  Aircraft
mechanic, commu
nication
equipment
installer, medical
equipment repairer

9.  Construction, Minin  Bricklayer, electrici
g, and Drilling an, pipe
fitter, sheet metal
worker
 Airline pilot, freight
 Transportation
inspector, traffic
technician, transpo
rtation manager
 Bakery
 Industrial worker, electronics
Production tester, testing-
machine operator

10.  Business Detail  Administrative
assistant, legal
secretary, library
assistant
 Sales
and
 Advertising
Marketing
agent, public
relations
specialist, real
 Recreation,
Travel, estate sales agent
and Other Personal  Convention
Services planner, personal
aide, social
director

11.  Education and  Caseworker, clergy
Social Service member, teacher,
urban planner
 General  Accountant, financ
Management and ial
Support manager, human
resource
manager, purchasi
ng agent
 Medicaland  Audiologist, health
Health Services educator, medical
assistant, recreatio
nal therapist

12. Occupational Outlook
Handbook
 The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
provides information about 250 occupations.
 The Department of Labor (DOL) updates it
frequently online.
 Using the OOH, you can learn about what
workers do, how much they are paid, future
job prospects, and working conditions.
 You can also learn about educational and
training requirements, advancement (getting
more responsibility and authority), and job
trends.

13. O*NET Database
 The O*NET database is a government
sponsored computer program that
collects information from workers about
their jobs.
 People can compare occupations and
find out about skill changes now and in
the future.

14. Using other Career Information
Sources
 The information at the OOH and O*NET
websites is also printed in books.
 The Guide for Occupational Exploration
(GOE) gives definitions and explanations
of each of 14 different career interest
areas.
 There are many career
publications, magazines, and other online
sources of career information.

15. Learning about Careers
 Hands-on experiences – actually
spending time on work sites – provides a
realistic way to explore and research
careers.
 Employers like to hire people who already
have some experience in the workplace.

16. Career Shadowing
 Career shadowing is observing a worker
and asking questions for a day or less in a
field of work you find interesting.
 For instance, a student interested in
becoming a lawyer could spend a day
with a lawyer, following her around the
office, observing what she does in
courtroom as part of her everyday work
schedule, and asking appropriate
questions.

17. Part-time work
 Part-time work is working a
few hours each week over
months or years.
 It gives you an opportunity
to gain knowledge and
skills as well as earn money
to prepare for the future.

18. Temporary work
 Temporary work is agreeing to work full-
time or part-time for only a few weeks or
months.
 It gives you a chance to gain skills and
earn money for a limited time.
 Some examples include summer jobs,
such as detasseling corn or working at an
amusement park.

19. Internships
 Internships are opportunities to work in an
industry through a school-related program
to gain skills and experience, usually
without pay.
 Internships are one of the most valuable
experiences you can have as you explore
career opportunities.
 Many employers hire their interns as
employees.

20. Cooperative Education
 Cooperative education programs offer
students opportunities to go to school and
work for pay at the same time.
 Typically, they spend part of the day at
school and part of the day on the job.
 I.C.E. (Interdisciplinary Cooperative
Education) is an example of a program
offered in many high schools.

21. Volunteering
 Volunteering is working without pay.
 You might choose to volunteer because
you strongly believe in a cause.
 Check out local hospitals, nursing
homes, veterinary offices, schools, and
food pantries for volunteering
opportunities.
 In many schools and
communities, students have the
opportunity to participate in service
learning (doing community service as part
of a classroom assignment) programs.

22. Entrepreneurship
 Entrepreneurship is creating your own job.
 You may have started as an entrepreneur
at a young age, did you set up your own
lemonade stand?
 If you are a creative person with self-
motivation, you can be quite successful in
operating your own business.

23. Recording Info. About
Potential Careers
 The following questions provide you with a
guide as you research and record
information about different occupations.
 What skills are needed to perform this
career?
 What is the work environment (the
surroundings) like?
 What values and lifestyles best match this
career?
 What is the projected job outlook for this
career?