What Can You Do?

1. Talk with your parents about school and career interests. Tell them about the things you like to do and the things you are good at. The more they know, the better they can support your career exploration efforts.
2. Take a career exploration class if it is offered at your school, or see your school's career counselor for individual help with interest assessments and career research.
3. Check out career information on the Web. Two recommended sites are the America's Career Resource Network (ACRN) and the U. S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook.
4. Take advantage of every opportunity to explore career possibilities in the areas that interest you most.
5. Talk to people you know who work in related fields to find out more about what their jobs are like.
6. Participate in job shadowing or internship opportunities that are offered by your school, or arrange those kinds of activities on your own.
7. Find part-time jobs that are related to your career interests.
8. Investigate College and Career Transitions opportunities available in your area.
9. Choose courses that give you the opportunity to apply skills, like Keyboarding, Accounting, Graphic Design, Journalism, Marketing, and Technology courses. Skills open doors in today's labor market. These are equally important whether you are planning to attend college or go directly to work or into the military.
10. Find out about technology courses your school offers. Taking courses such as Production, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Design Technology will give you a much better understanding of today's technological world and a chance to take a hands-on look at tools, techniques, and skills involved in a range of careers.
11. Work-based learning means that while you are still in school you can get real-world experience at a professional job through an internship or apprenticeship. Oh, by the way, you might even get PAID while you're learning!