Tips for Career Exploration 

  1. Focus on a few specific areas and career interests.  Visit the Career Services and Counseling Center (CSC) where inventories and career counseling are available to help determine your interests, abilities, personality, and values.
  2. Research targeted areas of interest using career resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook,  The Dictionary of Occupational Titles, career specific books and creative computerized career tools such as SIGI-Plus, and TCIDS (Tennessee Career Information Delivery System program).
  3. Develop a career "eye" or focus.  When going about your daily life, notice what people do in their occupations.  If those occupations appear interesting, do some research.
  4. Interview individuals working in occupations that attract you; learn from their experience, training, expertise and opinion. 
  5. Try Job Shadowing. This enables you to spend time observing someone in a career area you are considering.  Often people are flattered when asked to share information about their career. Make an appointment in advance.
  6. Find a part-time job that relates to your career choice.  You will gain valuable experience
  7. Volunteer for a job in a charitable organization. In addition to helping the community, volunteering can provide networking contacts and help you acquire new skills which can be valuable as you make the transition into a paying job. 
  8. Take specific courses in your field of interest, this can broaden your opportunities.
  9. Transferable skills that are required by and developed in many types of jobs will give you a greater advantage in finding employment.  Examples include communication, interpersonal, cross-cultural, decision-making, critical thinking, problem solving, and computer skills.
  10. Networking is a critical component of the job search process.  It is important to develop business, professional and personal contacts including teachers and classmates.  Networking should be a conscious part of our job growth and development.