General Career Information

Until the 20th century, people did not have much choice in their career paths. Children typically followed in their parents' footsteps, regardless of their own desires.

Fortunately, people today have the freedom to choose their own paths in life. We are provided with a seemingly endless list of careers from which to choose. Because there are so many choices, the decision can seem daunting. Instead of having this decision made for us, we must now decide based on our own dreams, interests, and talents.

Are You Looking for a Job or a Career?

Finding a job is usually a short-term goal. You look for a job because you need or want money. A job, according to one definition in the American College Dictionary, is anything one has to do. The same dictionary defines a career as one's life work or the progress of a person through his or her life. Building a career is a lifelong process and reflects both the person you are now and the person you hope to be.

First Step in Career Planning

Commit yourself to finding a career that's appropriate to your interests, needs, and values. The first step in career planning is self assessment, which helps you examine who you are and what you know about yourself.

The self assessment will help you determine your interests, skills, values, and personality, which you may map to a wide range of occupations. Explore the occupations and see if any of them catch your interest. Start now! Take the self-assessment surveys.

The Different Types of Career Training

There are many ways to train for a career. Some careers require education beyond high school. Other careers allow for on-the-job training. Below is a quick guide to the different types of training that are required for various careers.

• On-the-job training: Short-term to medium-term training (less than one year), or long-term training (more than one year of coursework and training which might need to be accomplished on your own time. For example, you might need to attend night school while employed full time during the day)

• Postsecondary vocational training: One to two years of training beyond high school (For example: non-college level business school, non-college level nursing school, and all branches of the military)

• Associate's degree: At least two years of education beyond high school (or GED)

• Bachelor's degree: At least four years of education beyond high school (or two years beyond associate's degree)

• Masters degree: At least one to two years of education beyond bachelor's degree

• Doctoral or professional degree: At least two to three years of education beyond bachelor's degree

More Information

• Choosing a School
• Choosing a Major
• Informational Interviews
• Job Shadowing
• Internships