Occupational Outlook Handbook Activity
These activities are designed to help you focus your efforts in exploring your career choices. First, you'll choose three careers in which you may be interested. Next, you'll answer some questions regarding those careers. Finally, you'll visit the major information in this Web site to see what majors will lead you to the careers you've chosen.
An employer will consider our major as just one of many factors when making a hiring decision. In addition to your major, the skills you’ve acquired, your personal attributes and achievements will all factor into the hiring decision. Some majors lead to a wide variety of career paths. This it is important to have a well rounded college experience.
Keep in mind that some careers require a specialized degree and/or certification. These areas include: teaching, nursing, geology, and speech pathology.
Many people vary their careers during their lifetime. Thus, selecting your major does not have to be a one-time decision. You may be surprised where your career takes you.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is an excellent resource you can use to find out information about careers as they exist in the "real world." Click on the A-Z Index and enter an occupation that interests you. You will be provided with information such as the job outlook, earnings, nature of the work, working conditions, training and other qualifications, and advancement.
Another helpful resource for career exploration is the O*NET Online Occupational Information Network developed for the U.S. Department of Labor. This extensive online database allows for a variety of detailed occupational searches based on categories, skills, interests and much more. A number of other useful online career information resources are also linked to the O*NET Online system.
