Career Exploration

Research You Can Do From Anywhere
Research career, job and employment options in a variety of industries and locations. The more research you do, the more likely a career path will become evident to you.

• Start your career research with the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and
• education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.
• Take one or more career assessment tests (Self-Assessments).  If you're unsure of your career direction, these tests should be one of your first steps in researching careers.
• Develop a career plan. Conducting career-related research and gathering information about careers is great, but you should consider developing a career plan.
• Review books about specific careers. You can find these books online and in WSU Career Services.
• Talk with your network of contacts -- family, friends, professors, teachers, neighbors, peers, colleagues, mentors -- about potential careers.
• Conduct career research online. Learn more about careers, specific jobs, and jobs for specific college majors.  
  
  
  Get Out and Network
  
• Visit a local job service office
• Visit Career Services, 314 Maxwell. Whether a current student or an alum, we can help you in many, many ways.
• Arrange to job shadow one or more people who have careers that interest you.
• Join a job club.
• Consider volunteering.  
  
  Once you're done exploring careers, the next step is to begin researching companies and geographic preferences. Use an online source such as Hoovers, your on-stop reference for business information.  Salary.com (and others similar) will help you with knowing what to expect for salary in a certain geographic area.

Helpful Links:
Career One Stop
Iseek
Job Choices (from NACE)
JobRadio.fm
O-Net
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Where the Jobs Are (Partnership for Public Service)
Non-profit Careers

(Disclaimer: Please note that the links to other websites are provided as a source of information but are not maintained or endorsed by Winona State University Career Services.)