Week #6 Research

Introduction

Researching careers can be overwhelming. There is more information out there than the mind can process.  Don't start in depth research until you've narrowed your list of possibilities down to 2-3 careers.  Here are some steps to move you from the self assessment phase of career decision making into the information gathering phase. You want to spend this week researching one career - I refer to it in the tutorial as your career for the "day." Warning - this week looks simple. Don't be fooled - there is a great deal of work to be done for each of the lessons. Stick to the schedule.

1. The information gathering phase.

• Decide which careers you're going to look into.
• Research industry and functional areas.
• Learn about current events that will effect your interest areas.
• Gather information from associations connected with your occupation.
• Locate useful web sites on the Internet.
• Identify who's doing the hiring.
• Keep notes about your research.
• Find just enough information to decide if you will keep this occupation on your short list of possibilities.  

2. Find out about:

• Duties and responsibilities.
• Qualifications.
• Career path.
• Employment outlook.
• Salary (average and entry).
• Typical employers/companies.
• Key professional and trade associations.
• Work environments.

3. Weigh the Options. Compare what you learn about the occupation with what you've learned about yourself.

In addition to the self assessment you have done as part of this course, here are additional ways to generate career options.  

• Brainstorm as many ideas as possible
• Look at the Sunday classified section of the paper.
• Look through college catalogues.
• Visit bookstores and see which book get your attention.
• Notice careers all around you.
• Write down the names of jobs you wish you had.
• Don't limit yourself to only the "hot jobs."
• Ask your friends and family what they see you doing.
• Speak to a career counselor.

Objectives

Students will:

• Learn how to use several online website to research careers
• Practice gathering occupational information
• Understand the value of experiential learning/service learning
• Learn how to locate internships
• Research labor market trends
• Understand how study abroad can enhance career preparation
• Learn about informational interviewing

Read through the entire Using the Internet to Research Careers Tutorial

If you haven't done so already, complete the assessments and save them to your Portfolio.  Spend time in Career Cruising learning about your top careers.  Make sure to listen to the videos.  Here is a copy of your final Portfolio assignment  It is not too early to start working on it.  The Resume section is due next week and the rest is due on Wednesday of the last week of the course.

Complete the Gathering The Facts Lesson (8 points)

Complete Labor Market Trends Lesson (15 points)

Complete an in depth review of one career and post it on the Discussion Board so we can all learn about your favorite career. (10 points)

Complete Informational Interviewing Lesson (5 points - 5 thoughtful sentences)

Complete Experiential Learning Lesson (12 points)

Assignments Summary