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  Exploring Careers  
 
"The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas"
- Linus Pauling
 

Time invested in exploring careers is important. Work through these topics to gain a better understanding of where you are going.

 

Career exploration involves gathering recent and accurate information on occupations/careers that interest you. At this point in your career decision-making process you may be evaluating several choices. Choosing a good career path is not an easy task. Effective research takes time and energy.

 

Why Explore Career Options?

How to Explore Careers



 
 

Why Explore Career Options?

You may want to rush right through this step but time invested in exploring careers is important for a number of reasons:

  • the more occupational research you do, the better your chances of finding occupations that fit your interests, values and skills - thus, greater career and life satisfaction;
  • it can lead to other career options that you had not considered before;
  • it leads to a more accurate view of a specific occupation over a romantic or idealized picture; myths are dispelled;
  • you increase your individual circle of contacts, your network, which can lead to greater support and job leads; and
  • it helps in preparation for job interviews which can then:
    • demonstrate your research skills;
      demonstrate your initiative;
      can put you above other competitors; and
      increase your self-esteem and self-confidence.

     

    How to Explore Career Options

    Resources for Career Exploration and Where to Find Them
    Informational Interviews
    Job Shadowing and Work Placements
    Volunteer Work
    Investigating Labour Market Trends
    Considering Entrepreneurship or Self-employment



    Job Shadowing and Work Placements

    Job shadowing is an activity where you spend part of a day or several days watching someone perform the job you would like. In other words, you are that person's shadow for a period of time. Job shadowing can provide you with the day to day realities in the occupation and is a good next step after an informational interview.

    Work placements allow you the opportunity to develop your skills and gain relevant work experience in a selected career area. At the same time, you are helping an employer complete required tasks. Check with your local Career and Employment Services office, schools, colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for work placement programs.

     
       

    Volunteer Work

    Volunteer work is a worthwhile activity that helps individuals, organizations and communities. You gain many benefits as well:

    • work experience
    • seeing first-hand what a particular work environment is like
    • developing new skills
    • networking opportunities
    • unexpected job leads
    • good job references
    • increasing your levels of self-esteem and self-confidence

    Check for volunteer opportunities through reading newspapers, talking with friends and neighbours, calling service clubs and charities directly and checking our bulletin boards in your community. As well you can try the following website:

    Charity Village - Volunteer opportunities are listed for across the country. All communities in Saskatchewan list their opportunities under Regina.

       
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