Goals:

• Describe the steps in the career planning process.
• Identify the main sources of career information. 
• Discuss career fields with the most growth potential.

Key Terms:

• career
• informational interview
• mobility

Career Opportunities  

• The Career Planning Process
  An occupation is a task or series of tasks that is performed to provide a good or service. People are hired to fill occupations and they are paid for the work they perform. A career is a goal for work that is fulfilled through an occupation or series of occupations.
  
  Career planning is the process of studying careers, assessing yourself in terms of careers, and making decisions about a future career.

The Career Planning Process
Step 1   Personal Assessment
                Determine interests and values
                Identify talents and abilities
Step 2   Employment Market Analysis
                Geographic Influences
                Business and economic trends
Step 3   Application Process
                Application Form
                Resume and cover letter
Step 4   Interview Process
                Prepare for interviews
                Follow-up activities
Step 5   Employment Acceptance
                Salary and financial factors
                Organizational environment
Step 6   Career Development and Advancement
                Practice career success behaviors
                Develop strong work relationships

Your Study of Careers
Too often, a career choice is not made until full-time work begins. This is too late, especially if certain training and education are required.
The study of careers is a continuous process. New career opportunities occur all the time. It is important to view learning about careers as a lifelong activity. Your first decision will likely be a tentative career decision – a decision that is subject to change as new information is received.

Making initial career decisions while you are in school has many advantages. One is that, in school, you have a lot more information readily on hand. More importantly, early career planning will help you choose the right courses.

Career Training
Many careers require education and training beyond high school. These educational alternatives include:
                -  two-year schools, community colleges or junior colleges, offer training in many areas
                -  four-year colleges and universities, public and private, provide education for many    
                   careers and professions
                -  private business schools and other institutions specialize in training students for    
                   specific occupations such as court reporter, computer technician, or medical assistant.
Consider the cost for further schooling as an investment in your future that will help you earn higher wages and expand your potential. Many ways exist to help finance additional schooling. Most schools have financial aid programs including scholarships, student loans, and work-study opportunities. Some financial aid programs are based on your academic record. Others are based on financial need.

• Career Information Sources 
  Print and Media Sources
                  Occupational Outlook Quarterly
                  Occupational Outlook Handbook
                  Career World
                  The Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
                  Newspaper help wanted ads
  Online Sources
                  Web sites are available
                  Web searches
                                  Resumes
                                  Effective interviewing
                                  Creating a career portfolio
  Informational Interview a planned discussion with a worker who is willing to help you find out about the work that a person does, the preparation needed for that career, and the person’s feelings about the career. Helpful to gain insight into what actually happens in a specific career .
                  Suggested questions:
                                  -  How did you get your current job?
                                  -  In what ways do you find your work most satisfying? What are your main
                                     frustrations?
                                  -  What tasks and activities are required in your work?
                                  -  What are the most important qualifications for working in this field?
                                  -  What advice would you give a person who is thinking about this type of work?

Business Contacts
Networking – the process of talking to other people about their jobs. Your contacts are not limited to the people you know. Every person you meet is a potential contact for career information.

Growth Career Areas – The life work you choose could be affected by the careers available in a field. Future employment opportunities are influenced by geography and business trends.
Geographic Influences
You may have to decide whether you want to work in the geographic area in which you now live or whether you are willing to move to where the job you really want is located. There may be reasons why you would prefer to live and work near your home. People who successfully pursue the careers of their choice often have mobility. Mobility is the willingness and ability of a person to move to where jobs are located.
Lack of mobility can lead to locational unemployment. This occurs when jobs are available in one place but go unfilled because those who are qualified to fill those jobs live elsewhere and are not willing to relocate.
Economic and Industry Trends
Career areas with the most potential are influenced by economic trends and current business activities. Consumer demand, changing demographic trends, and new technology are factors that often affect career opportunities. Service industries are expected to have employment potential.