As agents of career change, you guide
students as they search for meaning, purpose, and direction.
In your role, you understand students:
- You
see their talents
- You
know their interests, abilities, and skills
- You
help students plan for the future
- You know that you need to implement colorful,
technological interactive presentations to engage students in using their
senses and imaginations in process of career exploration
Your mission is help the students unlock
their potentials.
Tips for Finding the Right Career Tool
Career awareness tools help your
students explore who they really are. Career resources answer the question
"Who am I?" Career resources point out your students' likes,
dislikes, or interests.
Search for the resource that meets your
students' needs. Look at the benefits. Find resources that are:
- Eye appealing
- Easy to use
- Comprehensive - Full of supplemental resources
With the right resource, students are
ready and willing to:
- Explore
- Investigate
- Learn
- Ask questions
- Enjoy discovering who they are
- Gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding
An effective career tool motivates your
students to explore careers. Creative career tools build a foundation for more
detailed career exploration.
Step One: Select a Career Resource
How do you choose the right career resource?
Look at 3 major areas:
- Format, e.g. Printed or on-line
- Cost
- Resources – Supplemental information on interests,
skills, and careers
When you look at a career test, ask
yourself the following questions:
- What do your students prefer? Printed or on-line career
test?
- What is your budget for the tests?
- What resources do you have? Do you have a computer lab?
Find career tests that your students
are interested in and that provide valuable information about careers and your student's
interests. Look at career tests that use well-known career models. Match
students' interest clusters to career or job codes. Engaging resources improve
attention span, concentration, memory skills, and understanding. As students
grow older, continue to use career models expand their knowledge of careers and
college majors. There are a variety of career tests for youth, college
students, and adults.
Step Two: Explore Careers
Career tests prepare students to
explore careers. Gather information about fun, informative, and attractive
career exploration resources. Look for resources that offer the following
career information:
- Tasks
- Wages
- Career outlook
- Interests
- Education
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Similar careers
Career exploration is a process. As Agents
of career change, use resources that make your students’ journey enjoyable,
educational, and effective. Plan career exploration expeditions.
