Researching Career Fields
Your first few years as a student
are a great time to explore different kinds of careers open to
you. There are a wide variety of resources to help you understand
the possibilities in terms of the world of work. Growing up,
most of us were not exposed to many kinds of jobs, other than
the work our family does or that which is visible in the community:
doctors, lawyers, sales people, police officers and teachers.
One alumnus from the class of '77 recently said, "There's
a huge chasm between our little isolated dream world and what's
really going on out there. There are so many kinds of work --
peculiar little corners of business -- jobs that sometimes people
made up. It never ceases to amaze me how many jobs are out there
that I never knew of."
What are the various ways one
can research different careers?
RESOURCES AT THE CDO
The Career Development Office
has a wide variety of books in the resource library to help you
understand the kinds of work available in various fields.
Self-awareness is also key in
making career decisions. Assessment tools such as the Keirsey
Personality Inventory are found on-line. The Myers-Briggs
Type Indicator and the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS)
are both available as paper-and-pencil tests through the Career
Development Office. Call or drop in to take the test and to schedule
an appointment with a career counselor for the interpretation.
TALK TO PROFESSIONALS
Professionals working in the
field you are interested in are the best sources of information
about the realities of different careers. Luckily, people love
to talk about what they do for a living. Our own alumni are no
different, and many have said they will gladly speak to students
about their careers. Make an appointment at the CDO to get the
names and contact information for alumni with whom you would
be interested in speaking. One alumnus offered his opinion: "Alumni
can provide a realistic picture of their field, as well as the
pros and cons. They're even likely to provide contacts and do
some networking for the student. It's a great use of fall, winter
or spring breaks. Remember, if you're not desperate for a job,
people are much more willing to be genuinely helpful."
CAREER SPEAKERS ON CAMPUS
Grinnell hosts alumni and other
professionals to speak on campus about their career experience.
Keep up-to-date with the CDO
calendar of events and watch for speakers of interest to
you.
SHADOWING/EXTERNSHIPS
Many alumni have volunteered
to allow students to shadow them at their place of work for a
day or more. As a "mini-internship", this live, hands-on
experience can be very useful in understanding a career field.
Job shadowing and externships are arranged through the CDO. Call
or drop by for an appointment with a career counselor.
INTERNSHIPS
Interning is one of the best
ways to test out a career area of interest to you and to gain
some practical experience as well. There are as many possible
places to intern as you can imagine. Consider what you are passionate
about in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Sometimes
tying your day-to-day interests with your coursework can prove
the best fit.
Students may pursue a variety
of internships through
the The Career Development Office. Learning more about how
to create your own internship is easy with a guide the staff
has created for you.
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