I am a high-school student, and I would like more information on
different careers as well as college majors.  At school, they have the
ACT Discover program, but I would like to do something from home that
can evaluate my interests, abilities, values, and experiences, and
using this information, tell me more about myself, and what career
paths and college majors I may be interested in.

Hi Brent,

Yeah, my high school guidance counsellors weren't as in-touch with
careers, student interests or the working world as they could have
been.

These days, you're not really locked into making a single life-long
career choice. It is best to determine what interests you and seize
work and educational opportunities that will both broaden and deepen
your skillset. Many jobs are evolving and the more flexible you are in
adapting to new job demands, the better off you'll be. This is not to
say that you should be able to do anything and everything, but that
you shouldn't be afraid if you have broad interests or if you end up
changing careers further down the road.

At the same time, you'll want to work on developing a certain
specialization that will either serve as a general direction for your
career, or that will help set you apart as unique. This is where
college would be very useful.

This may sound a little confusing, but just think of it as setting a
sailboat towards a direction. You can still shift that direction when
the winds change or when you feel like you want to change directions.

At this point, I'd all like to second answerqueen's suggestion of
"What Color Is Your Parachute". This is probably the most referenced
book in career decision making, and a nice off-line alternative.


STEPS IN THE DETERMINING YOUR CAREER GOALS
The Bowling Green University Career Services nicely summarizes the
steps in the career planning process
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/career/process/index.html

Step 1. Conduct a Self-Assessment: Determine your fields of interests,
what you enjoy doing, and what you are capable of doing. "develop an
understanding of self including values, interests, aptitudes,
abilities, personal traits, and desired life style, and become aware
of the interrelationship between self and occupational choice."

Step 2. Investigate Academic/Career Options: "narrow a general
occupational direction into a specific one through an informed
decision making proces." Remember that the results of any assessment
tests as guidelines and not mandates. Find out more about particular
jobs to see if they would appeal to you. Chat with people working in
the domains or jobs that interest you.

Step 3. Determine education and training needs: evaluate occupational
choices and gain practical experience through internships, cooperative
education, relevant summer employment, volunteer work and campus
activities. Find ways to build up the skills you need to get where you
want to go. If you can, get an internship or an entry-level job that
will allow you to get a closer look at what a job that interests you
really involves.

Step 4. Prepare for and begin conducting a job search, or apply to
graduate or professional schools


CAREER EXPLORATION AND INTEREST ASSESSMENT

Jobweb is a great source of career development assessment tools,
career choices and career planning
http://www.jobweb.com/catapult/default.htm
http://www.jobweb.com/Career_Development/

America's Career InfoNet
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/explore.htm
Highlights of this Web site include:
- Understand how you can use career information to explore options for
work and learning.
- Get information from a (USA) State-Based Career Information Delivery
System to help you explore options for work and learning.
- Review the general outlook for occupations to help you better
understand the job market before you make any specific choices.
- Review the potential wages and employment outlook for an occupation
that you are considering.
- Review current job openings to learn about the different jobs that
might be available to you if you complete different education and
training options.
- Find career resources developed for members of diverse groups. 

The Career Developement eManual from the Univeristy of Waterloo,
Canada
http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/
includes self-assessment skills and interest guide, tips on
researching careers, devising a training programme and interviewing
for jobs and internships. See an graphic overview of the steps on
http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/steps.asp

The Career Key - free online service to help you make sound career
decisions.
http://www.careerkey.org/english/
Click "You" in the top right corner, then sign in to begin

iVillage - Which Career is Right for You?  (and other quick quizzes)
http://quiz.ivillage.com/work/tests/career.htm
suggests careers after quiz

US News and Obik Explorer™ career profiling survey (US$25)
http://www.obik.com/welcome/usnews/collstudents.htm
click "Capture your Obik moment"


INVESTIGATING CAREER OPTIONS
Here are some Web sites that tell you more about specific occupations
you may want to explore.

Job profiles
http://www.jobprofiles.org/index.htm
Experienced workers share rewards of their job, stressful parts of the
job, basic skills the job demands, challenges of the future and advice
on entering the field.
   
Univeristy of Manitoba, Canada's career center descriptions
http://www.umanitoba.ca/counselling/careers.html

You can also look at online job postings and read their descriptions
to find out whether those types of jobs interest you, as well as the
kinds of experience and education you'll need. Some popular job sites
are

http://www.monster.com , http://www.dice.com ,
http://www.careerbuilder.com , http://www.flipdog.com ,
http://www.guru.com , and http://www.hotjobs.com


ONLINE PSYCH TESTS
A few of the commenters below have suggested some personality tests. I
personally don't place much stock in these types of tests. They
categorize people into theoretical personality types but don't really
say much about suggested careers based on those personality types: why
they'd be a good match, etc. (The tests homeed-ga suggests may be an
exception.)

Interpersonal Communication Skills Test - rates your ability to
communicate with others
http://www.queendom.com/tests/relationships/communication_skills_r_access.html

MTBI Myers-Briggs personality type indicator (US$99)
http://www.knowyourtype.com/

Keirsey temperament sorter 
http://www.advisorteam.com/user/ktsintro1.asp
The sorter consists of 70 questions and will take about 10 minutes to
complete. (free for general classification, US$14.95 for analysis)
"Please Understand Me II" is a book by David Keirsey
"Knowing your temperament helps in your search for a career or job,
but it only serves as a guide, rather than giving you any fixed
answer. "

DETERMINING EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Based on the decisions you make for your (current) career direction,
you'll want to look into what universities and academic institutions
will best address those needs.

for more information about Universities and Community Colleges, you
can talk to your guidance counsellor, look up specific universities on
the Web, or look at sites like the US News and Princeton Review
university rankings.

There are many souces of internships and apprenticeships out there,
such as

CIEE - The Council on International Educational Exchange 
http://www.councilexchanges.org/

the Council's USA internships
http://www.internshipusa.org/

AIPT - The American Institute for International Practical Training
http://www.aipt.org/

WetFeet's internship programs site
http://internships.wetfeet.com/home.asp

Rising Star internships
http://www.rsinternships.com/

Americorps/Vista community service
http://www.americorps.org/


PREPARING FOR A JOB SEARCH
Here are some other sites that may come in handy later on, when you
already have an idea of the kind of job you're looking for

US News Career center
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/work/wohome.htm

monster's career guide
http://static.monstertrak.com/careerguide/

search Google for the terms 
Job OR career assessment OR exploration
://www.google.com/search?q=job+OR+career+OR+assessment+OR+exploration&hl=en



Best of luck!

---

Request for Answer Clarification by brentgoldman-ga on 12 May 2002 22:36 PDT

Hey Waggawa,

I appreciate the effort to compile your answer, but it seems as if you
just found a quantity of links that look like they might be of help,
and pasted them one-by-one into your answer, without really analyzing
what each one does apart from copying the sites' own descriptions. 
Most of the links you posted are also alreadyon the Links page at my
school counseling offices' web page.

What I was really looking for was a more personal response to my
question; maybe some resources that have acually helped you in your
own experiences, and which may be of a help to me as well, not just a
list of links and their copied descriptions.

Thanks
-Brent

---

Clarification of Answer by waggawa-ga on 12 May 2002 22:59 PDT

Hi Brent,

Well, actually, many of these suggestions ARE from my own experience.
As I mentioned, my guidance counsellor was awful (she tried getting
everyone to go into forestry regardless of their interests).

I thought about taking a year off and work abroad after high school,
but family pressures convinced me to directly pursue the academic
route. I took a number of exams, including the ASVAB (Armed Services
Vocational Aptitude Battery), career surveys and the Myers Briggs.
(That's how I made my judgement that those psych tests aren't worth
much). But the most useful career decision making influences were
really the courses I took at university, the people I talked to and
the work experiences I had. I never took any real vacation time off,
working all kinds of work-study and summer jobs that were vaguely
related to my career interests.

I did both a CIEE internship and an AIPT internship (overseas) right
after my undergrad, which is how I know about those programs. Some
other people I've met along the way had done the Peace Corps and Vista
(Americorps), finding those to be very influential experiences. The
important thing is go out and experience life.

I'm a bit older than you and wasn't lucky to have the Internet as a
resource when I graduated high school. I did read a lot of books
(including part of "What Color is Your Parachute") and talked to very
many people to find out about their career choices. I still do this
all today as I reorient and fine-tune my career path.

Bowling Green's 4step process is just a formalization of the standard,
logical route to sort out what to do: figure out what interests you,
then go out and try out those avenues. Don't worry so much.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by brentgoldman-ga on 13 May 2002 15:41 PDT

Hi Waggawa,

Thanks for the more personal approach to answer my question.  But it
seems as if your answer clarification was just about how you chose
your career path, rather than the specific resources that have helped
you.  If the various surveys didn't help you, then what did?

You said that the classes that you took at your University helped you
make your decisions.  That really doesn't help me.  You had two
internships, and you your free time during college was filled with
part-time jobs and work study programs.  Since I am a full-time
student, I really don't have time for these, although I have a
part-time job, and I carry out mathematical and scientific study at a
research institute during the weekends, which might be similar to what
you did; I am active in activities that relate to my interests.

So is your advice basically to just pursue different internships and
jobs, read the "What Color is Your Parachute Book", and don't worry
about the surveys?  Do you have any specific web sites, surveys, or
other resources that have helped you make your decision in a big way?

Thanks
-Brent

---

Clarification of Answer by waggawa-ga on 14 May 2002 11:06 PDT

Hello again, Brent.

Without knowing where your current career interests lie, it's tough
for me to be specific about the links,organizations and other
resources you could look at. I could tell you what worked for me, but
I'm not sure how much in common our career interests are.

Also, different things work for different people. I'm not keen on the
psych tests because I feel results and suggestions are often too
general, don't include new jobs that evolved out of the recent
economy, don't take my interests into consideration (especially the
personality tests), and don't explain to me why I should find them
appealing. While I find them useless, other people may find them a
good starting point for researching job titles and positions.

Books are a great source of exploring domains further. When I became
interested in human-computer interaction, I read whichever books I
could about it, user interface design and software usability. When I
met people working in jobs related to that field (see bit about
networking below), I asked them to recommend titles.

As far as career-choosing books go, "What Color is Your Parachute" is,
in all honesty, the only one I tried to read. Many friends strongly
recommended it to me, since it had been a strong influence on their
own career evaluations. However, I relate better to more active
research styles. Since I know where my general career interests lie, I
spend more of my reading time with journals, books and Web sites
relating to those interests. Earlier on, I just spent a lot of time
trying to find job descriptions that involved as many of my interests
as possible. After several years, I realized it wasn't important if
those job titles didn't exist when I was seeking them because they
eventually appeared. In other words, your mom (or at least my mom) is
right that you should just pursue what you like doing, and the rest
will follow.

What I meant by work and classes are that you should take advantage of
every opportunity to apply your career interests to actual experience.
You don't have to work full time. You can join clubs, do volunteer
work, attend lectures, pursue internships or participate in
international exchanges. Get out and experience life. As a high school
student, you can take summer pre-college courses at universities and
at community colleges. A great source of experience is the summer;
don't just go sell ice cream on the beach. Make sure your summer job
or internship has substance and applies somehow to your professional
interests. Don't forget to consider unpaid internships. People are
more willing to hire talent if it's risk-free. If you do impressive
work (take initiative, be responsible, etc.) and you can sell yourself
well, you might even convince them to give you a stipend.

You have lots of opportunity to actively involve yourself in your
interests during the school year as well (key words being "actively
involved"). I've known friends who decided after doing Model UN, the
debate club or student government to go into international relations,
law, business, or political science. I met a guy who was really
impressed with what he learned with Vista/Americorps and was starting
his undergrad degree in political science and public policy. I met a
woman who had spent some time in the Third World in Asia and ended up
studying civil engineering so as to improve living conditions (she now
works with the Bangkok office of the Red Cross). Another friend was
getting his engineering degree but really liked art and computer
games. He volunteered to help an independent film director create a
film Web site and other promo material. Now he's going to film school
himself and hopes to do computer animation.

The most important piece of advice I have for you is to always
network: talk to people and ask them about what they do, why they like
what they do. If their job sounds enticing you might get to know them
more and ask them what they think of your potential in that job. You
can meet some great mentors this way. I've met people this way in
classes (teachers/professors are included!), professional
organizations (you can join many of them as a student member), free
lectures (e.g. at community centers and universities), internships,
volunteer work, conferences and tradeshows (once again, many offer
student discounts) and other activities. You can find out about free
lectures on departmental Web sites or bulletin boards of universities
near you, in city newspapers under the Events listings, and posters in
cafes. Plan to go early and stay late, and talk to people in the
audience as well as those who are speaking. It's good to start now as
it's something you may end up doing the rest of your life.

Thank you for your very in-depth response!  I appreciate your help
very much.  Thanks for the advice!

There are a few dozen pages with information which you may be looking
for in ( [ http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Employment/Careers/Skill_and_Personality_Assessment
]. I would also recommend speaking to your high school guidance
counselor, college counselors, and college students who have already
been through the choices you are looking to make.

Thanks, Sam, for the quick response.  I have already talked to the
guidance and college counselors at my school, and I am interested in
different research, out of school.

You may wish to pay $24.95 to   http://www.careerplanner.com  to take
their online career planning test which is described on their site as:
Who is it For?

The test is for anyone of age 14 to 55 who wants a successful career
that is satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding.  This includes:

High School Students - College Students - Career Changers

Those in Mid Life Crisis - Anyone Unhappy With Their Career
"What Will it Do For Me?

The test will show you what types of jobs are a good match for you and
what types you should avoid.

This is not a personality test... it is a career oriented assessment
of your strengths, weaknesses, interests and capabilities.  The test
will allow you to reach deep inside yourself to help you find your
ideal career.

The test report will give you insight and clarity into the fundamental
nature of the careers that will work well for you.   You will learn
what makes up your ideal career and why certain careers are absolutely
bad for you.

You can use this knowledge to make career decisions for the rest of
your life.

The test report also provides a long list of specific job titles that
match your career type.

If you have any doubts whatsoever about your career direction, take
this test now."

Hope this helps

The career test that seedy recommends is a good idea.

If you are still at the exploring stage, you might want to take a free
online personality test that points to likely professions.  Everyone I
know that has taken them have said the descriptions fit them to a T. 
The careers that they pointed to for my personality type contain every
job I've ever loved *s*.

Free online ones that have career indicators may be found at:
www.personalitytype.com
www.typelogic.com (the descriptions are a favorite of mine)
http://annehart.tripod.com/personalitywriting.html (for writers who
have already taken a Myers-Briggs-type personality indicator)

Thanks, Homeed.  PersonalityType and TypeLogic are two really great
sites.  I found out that I am mostly INTJ, although I can identify
myself with the other NT's as well - INTP, ENTJ, and ENTP.

Another great site that I found was http://www.socionics.com.  Do you
know of any other great sites like these, that give information, and
maybe even little quizzes, for free?

Thanks!

Brent,

I have two pieces of information for you:
Email a Career Counselor for Free,
http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/counseling/request.shtml
and 
This book:
What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters & Career-Changers
by Richard Nelson Bolles

How great that you’re planning your career, not based on how much
money you want to make, but what you’re really interested in doing–
who YOU are. Homeed is correct; the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a
valuable resource for determining your preference for career area.  As
it turns out I have worked with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for
over 12 years (and I am an INTJ as well), so I know where you are
coming from.

A great resource you may want to check out is the book:  “Do What You
Are” by Paul D Tieger and Barbara Barron Tieger.  (Available online
and in most large bookstores)

It is based on the Myers-Briggs Type Theory and will help to guide you
towards career that suits your personality.

Good Luck –   Knowledge_Seeker

Hi Brent,

It’s great that you’re beginning to think about your career options. I
wouldn’t worry too much about completing formal assessment programs if
you’re taking advantage of whatever career services are available at
your school. Beyond that, the best thing you could do is to simply pay
attention to what interests you as you go through your day-to-day
activities at school, at home and in all your activities.

Start an exploration journal to collect your findings and reactions.
Whenever you notice something that gives you satisfaction, arouses
your curiosity, gets you excited or makes you feel good, jot some
notes about it in your notebook. Include ideas you want to think
about, people you’d like to talk to, places you would like to go,
companies that look interesting, activities you’d like to try and
anything else that appeals to you. Write yourself a memory-jogger
capturing your thoughts.

After a period of time (a week to a month) review your exploration
journal and see if you notice any patterns in what you’ve collected.
Do some research on the topics that look interesting. Use the Web or
magazines for your explorations. Talk to everyone you know about your
explorations. Ask people about their current and past jobs and ask
them if you could job-shadow them for a day – follow them around at
work and observe what is involved with their work. Ask people what
they like and dislike about their job, how they got into it, would
they do it again, what they predict for the future. Talk to people
about school and colleges. Ask about their majors and how their major
affected their jobs and work.

Most of all, have fun with your explorations. In addition, here are
some Web sites that are dedicated to high school student school and
career explorations.

Good luck,
czh

http://usa.careercurrents.com/
Career Currents is an excellent Canadian school-oriented careers site
from Bridges. Read Daily Career Profiles. Sign up for weekly e-zine.
They also offer assessments

http://highschoolhub.org/hub/hub.cfm
The High School Hub is a noncommercial learning portal for free
educational resources for high school students.

http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/
The Next Step Magazine –articles for teenagers..

http://www.jobprofiles.org/
Providers Career Explorations with personal profiles from people doing
interesting jobs:

http://www.quintcareers.com/teen_jobs.html
Job and Career Resources for Teenagers

http://myroad.collegeboard.com/globals/sitemap.asp
MyRoad is the Internet-based guidance service from the
collegeboard.com, the publishers of the SAT and other tests.

http://www.petersons.com/
Since 1966, Peterson's is one of the oldest information providers for
admissions services.

http://www.kaptest.com/
Kaplan’s is another big test prep, admissions, and success in school
and career information provider.

Hi brent --

you might want to check out these useful sources:

WetFeet:
http://www.wetfeet.com/asp/home.asp

Emode:
http://www.emode.com