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| Step 1: Self Assessment Who are you?
| Step 2: Career Exploration What’s out there?
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 | Step 3: Job Search Campaign How do I get there?
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Successful career planning requires a systematic process of self-assessment, career exploration and job search campaigns.
Self-Assessment answers the question “Who are you?” and is the foundation for satisfying career choices.
Career Exploration identifies "What’s out there?” in terms of which career options best fit you as a total person.
Job Search Campaign outlines, “How do you get from here to there?” As today’s working world is constantly changing, this is an on-going process.
Career Exploration
In order to make informed decisions about career options, you need comprehensive and accurate information about required work activities and responsibilities; typical workplace descriptions; difficulties, challenges and rewards; required education and/or training; preferred skills and personality traits; employment outlook projections and salary ranges. There are many resources to help with this research. It’s best to get career information from as several sources.
Written Materials
Thousands of specialized books are available to investigate specific career fields from acting to zoology. In addition, most professional organizations publish trade journals, magazines and brochures that can help you discover more about occupations in their industries. Many employers, professional societies, academic institutions and government agencies maintain on-line Internet resources.
The Internet
There are many sources of career information available on the internet. The office of career development maintains a list of recommended sites at www·fontbonne·edu/career.
Experiential Learning
Credit-bearing cooperative education programs, internships, practicums, or clinicals provide opportunities to test your career interests through theoretical application, skill development, and work world realities. Volunteer experiences and community service projects can also help you define and focus your career plans, develop and strengthen your skill base, and make professional contacts for on-going information and advice.
Informational Interviews
An informational interview is a conversation with someone who is knowledgeable about an occupation or career field that is of interest to you. The purpose of this discussion is to gain information about:
- Preparation and qualifications needed to enter and succeed in the field.
- Job responsibilities, rewards, challenges and outlook.
- Advice and suggestions.
- Names of other professional contacts and resources.
It is important to speak with a number of people to get a reliable consensus of information. Opinions and experiences may differ and the information and advice you receive may be confusing and even contradictory. Sort through everything for this is the most dependable method to get up-to-date information about careers.
While an informational interview is not a job interview and you are not asking for employment, you may be making a contact for future internship or employment opportunities. It is important that you make a good impression with your preparation, presentation and follow-up.
- Research the field and company prior to the interview and make a list of relevant questions.
- Identify people to interview. Start with lists of people you already know: teachers, friends, relatives, fellow students, present or former co-workers, supervisors. Even if these people are not directly in your field they can suggest people to meet. College alumni, professional organizations, and the yellow pages are also good resources.
- Make arrangements to meet your resource people, preferably at their work locations, for a 20-30 minute interview.
- Dress appropriately, as you would for a hiring interview.
- Prepare a list of interview questions. Choose your questions wisely as you will have only 20-30 minutes.
- Ask the person to refer you to other professionals in the field who might have additional information, advice and suggestions to share with you.
- When the interview is complete, demonstrate your appreciation and professionalism by sending a thank-you note. You may also want to update each person on your progress as you meet other professionals.