Quality research is the key
to your career exploration. Too many people rush into an occupational
choice without taking the time to do quality research on themselves (so
you know YOUR strengths / interests) and then quality research on the
actual jobs or occupations.
I recommend the following three step plan.
1. KNOW YOURSELF WELL.
What are your interests?
What are your strengths?
How does your personality fit into the search?
What are your work values?
You can discover the answer to these prompts by taking
classes,
working,
volunteering or by taking assessments.
If you are interested in taking career assessments and are
accepted
into a degree
program here at KVCC, contact me to make an
appointment.
If you are not accepted in a degree program here, I recommend
registering for my
Career Decision Making class which I teach at two
different times
each semester.
Jim Peacock 453-5082 or career@kvcc.me.edu
2. SPEND TIME RESEARCHING OCCUPATIONS ON QUALITY WEBSITES
Below are five (5) excellent websites to assist you researching as much as
possible about an occupation or industry.
I also highly recommend talking to people who work in the occupation
you are
interested in.
Here is some information about how to conduct an
Informational
Interview.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) Printed form & website.
www.bls.gov/oco
OOH has detailed descriptions of over 700 occupations commonly found
in the
country. I have found these descriptions of specific occupations to
be very
accurate and helpful. The real “plus” is that you can compare
occupations easily
because each description is laid out the same.
America’s Career Info Net.
www.acinet.org/acinet/default.asp
Has over 450 career videos; fastest growing jobs; wages, and piles of
other
occupational information to help you decide if you’ve found the
right job for
you!
*Great site for learning about specific skills/tasks involved with an
occupation.
O*Net. Website. http://online.onetcenter.org/
This is the governments main site for information regarding jobs/
occupations.
This has info on skills, aptitudes, descriptions of tasks,
related occupations,
and MUCH MUCH more!
Occupational Outlook Quarterly
www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm
This quarterly publication (comes out 4 times / year) has great articles
which
focus on specific occupations as well as a wealth of other
information. You can
search for past issues and find “tons” of great
information & resources to help
you.
U.S. Dept. of Labor Career Guide to Industries
www.bls.gov/oco/cg/
Some people know what Industry they want to work in, but not what
occupation.
This is the place to go. [Manufacturing; Transportation;
Retail; Finance and
Insurance; Services; etc..]
3. Step three is to make a plan, preferably in writing and be as specific as you
can with dates, how you will accomplish the plan, and any resources you will
need to be successful.
Jim Peacock
Advising, Career & Transfer (A.C.T.)
Enrollment Services Center, Frye
Kennebec Valley Community College
453-5082 or 1-800-528-5882 ext 5082 (in state only)
E-mail: jpeacock@kvcc.me.edu
www.kvcc.me.edu/advising
www.kvcc.me.edu/career
www.kvcc.edu/transfer
