Investigate
Select a Career Field
Becoming interested in your future should be easy to do. You probably like
yourself. And you would like to to for yourself the best possible things. So the
next natural step is for you to get interested enough in yourself to investigate
what your future might be like with various careers. Certainly you can spare a
few moments to contemplate that you hope for in a career. If you don't have the
time, rather than sign up for a 3 credit class you're not sure about, you may
want to take a course in yourself some term. Schedule three hours under a tree
each week and concentrate. If you need direction for this experience, sign up
for a yoga course.
To get started thinking about careers, just for fun, ask the next ten people
you see how they decided to get into the career they are in. You will be amazed
at the variety of responses. In fact, you probably have had a job or two
yourself.. Think back on how or what got you into that job. It just happened,
you might think. Or you may have planned somewhat. Yet most people seem to fall
into a career area. There might be a better approach.
Rate Your Job Preferences
Before you can settle on a career field, you need to begin to define just the
sort of job you are seeking. What are the working conditions that would please
you the most? And of these conditions what is relatively more or less
important> Now kick off your shoes. Prop your feet up. Let the blood rush to
your head. Then think about each question on the Job Preference sheets you can
print below. On the blank line provided at the right of each question, write in
the words that you choose from the possible underlined answers in the question.
After answering these items, you will be better able to make a comparison chart
between apparently different sorts of work. A comparison chart and instructions
have been drawn up for you. Use the chart as you please to standardize the
ratings you give to various jobs. You may want to make several copies of the
comparison sheet to be used over and over again. Or you can design your own
sheet. The more involved you are the better. But for now, back to your jo-b
preferences. Answer each question with the answer you like best. Or write in a
better answer if you can. Here is a sample of how your sheet might look like:
Comparison Chart
The chart at bottom of this page can help you see how one job compares with
another. In the spaces provided, first enter the job preference items which you
wrote out on the lines to the right of the questions that are important to you.
Do not include it3ems that do not matter to you. Write in other preference items
as they occur to you that are not part of the stock answers in the form which is
provided. Make this your list. Then make several copies of the comparison chart.
On one copy write the job title and level you are considering. Then write a
number in the box to the right of each job preference item to reflect if you
expect to be able to realize your preference item in the job on the top of the
sheet. Here are a few suggestions:
Enter a 10 if you are sure you will realize your preference item.
Enter a 5 if you are not sure if you will realize the item.
Enter a 0 if you do no-t expect to realize this item.
Click HERE
to print Job Preference Form #1
Click HERE
to print Job Preference Form #2
You may use other numbers in between. Set up a scale and be consistent. When
you have a number for each job preference item, add up all the numbers on the
sheet. Take another sheet and enter another job title at the top. Go through the
same procedure. When you have made several evaluations, you can begin to compare
seemingly different jobs.
Here's what it might look like.
The job with the highest score should be the job you shoot for. If you do
not agree with the ranking and the way the numbers turn out, don't be surprised.
You7 must realize there are other job preference items which must be important
to you that are not on the chart. So add additional preference items until the
numbers work out. You may even have to add in negative numbers to reflect job
non-preference items that mean a lot to you.
When you are finished with your ranking, then turn over a copy of your
worksheet with your job preference items written in without the numbers to a
person who has the job written on the top of the sheet today. Ask the worker to
use your scale to enter values based on your scale. You may be surprised with
the results. Alter the chart or methods to suit yourself. Or make up your own
chart. Or only look at the preference items without going through the numbers
aspect. It doesn't matter what you finally do with the chart. The important
thing is the fact that you are giving attention to some of the most important
items necessary to consider when making a career selection. Neat, eh? And even
fun. Good Luck!
There are thousands of occupations which are technology based. Here is a
link rack with only 64 of the larger general career fields hyperlinked. Check
these career fields out. Do not hesitate to look over a career area which you
may only dream about. You might just be able to get in.
Specialties
My career field is electrical technology. I will use it as an example of how
each career field can have many specialties. Just for the fun of it, follow some
of these links to see what you will find.
If you are unable to find the technology area which interests you, then use
this search book to further refine your interest.
Use this link rack to go to the next step you would like to make at
technicianeducation.com.
Use this Google Search box to further refine your information needs.
Follow these hyperlinks to investigate details about each of
the technologies mentioned.
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