GETTING STARTED
Preparing Yourself for a Successful Career

FINDING A CAREER YOU'LL LOVE
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Simply asking that question isn't enough. You need to do more to decide what you want to do with your life. Finding a career you'll love is going to take some career planning. Take these easy steps to get started.

1. Assess Yourself
Learn about your interests, characteristics and abilities. Self-assessment tests, administered by your school counselor, can give you a better idea of your attitudes and interests as they relate to possible career choices.

2. Get the Facts
What do you want...money, job security, prestige, excitement, public service? Find out the required levels of training or education for career options that interest you. Explore a wide range of occupations in a variety of fields that match your interests and abilities. Make sure to ask lots of questions.

• What education does this career require?
• Where is the education/training available?
• What is the future outlook for this career?
• What is the path for advancement in the career?
• What other careers are closely related to this career?
• What are the everyday tasks performed in this career?
• What are the normal work hours?
• Does this career require travel?
• What health and retirement benefits are generally found in this line of work?
• Do I need to relocate to find a job?
• Do the tasks match my interest and values?

3. Evaluate Your Options
Evaluate and narrow the list of occupations. Begin to "try-on" careers during your middle and high school years.

• Volunteer for an organization that hires people in your career interest area.
• Take a part-time or summer job that relates to your career interest area.
• Find someone who works in your career interest area and job shadow that worker for a day.
• Participate in an internship or other related work-based learning experience in you career interest area. In most cases, you can also earn high school credit for this type of work experience.

4. Make a Choice and an Action Plan
Design a career and education plan with the steps needed to achieve the career goal. Work with your parents, teachers and counselors.

Remember, when you engage in career development activities, the decisions you make for your future will be based on realistic information.