Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? If you don鈥檛 know, you鈥檙e not alone. Some students come to college having already chosen their career path. Many others come to college unsure of their academic major and career choice. And students who have chosen a major sometimes decide to change their major. Feel free to contact the Waldorf Career Center if you鈥檙e undecided. We鈥檇 like to help!
As you explore careers and majors, you may find the following resources helpful.
is a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 Bureau of Labor Statistics that includes information about what workers do on the job, working conditions, training and education, earnings, and the job outlook for hundreds of different occupations. The handbook is revised every two years.
is the nation鈥檚 primary source of occupational information. Find detailed information on job tasks, skills, interests, education, wages and employment trends, related occupations and more. The O*NET, developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration, is continually updated by surveying a broad range of workers from each occupation.
is an interactive tool where individuals can learn about career options. The site has tasks, skills, salary information, and more for over 900 different careers. Find careers through keyword search, by browsing industries that employ different types of workers, or through the O*NET Interest Profiler, a free career assessment that helps individuals learn about themselves and their work interests. My Next Move is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The site offers a wealth of information including an interest assessment, a skills assessment, and a work values activity, as well as a collection of videos on hundreds of different careers.
Learn about career options that relate to different academic majors: ?
Job shadowing is an excellent way to learn about careers. During a job shadowing experience, you follow a professional through his or her workday. You鈥檒l have the chance to observe workplace activities and the company culture. Make the most of your experience by asking lots of questions. Be sure to dress appropriately for this professional activity. If you鈥檙e not sure what to wear, ask the individual that you will be shadowing. After the experience, send a thank you note to the individual you shadowed to express your appreciation for the time he or she spent with you. Quintessential Careers website offers advice on how to . Contact the Waldorf Career Center for additional information and guidance with job shadowing experiences.
Informational interviewing is a career exploration activity that involves making an appointment to visit with an individual who works in a career that you would like to learn more about. Be sure to dress professionally for the meeting and be prepared with your , a notepad, and pen. When preparing your questions, keep in mind that these meetings generally last about 30 minutes. After your meeting, send a thank you note to the person you interviewed to thank him or her for the time spent with you. To learn more about informational interviewing, contact the Waldorf Career Center or review the on-line found on the Quintessential Careers website.