Career Exploration

Learning Objectives

After completing, should be able to:

1. Analyze thoughts and feelings about career choices.
2. Evaluate the importance of occupational considerations those that are important in career choice.
3. Develop and enhance ability to successfully gather and compare occupational information to reduce career indecision.
4. Evaluate and prioritize career goals.

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Upon completion of degree, the goal is to obtain professional employment or to advance professional career. The purpose of this assignment is to enhance career exploration skills and to increase occupational knowledge and decision-making self-efficacy. It provides an opportunity to carefully consider career goals, gather and compare occupational information, and record reflections, thoughts, and feelings using the Career Exploration Framework detailed below.

Career Exploration Framework

Using the Career Exploration Framework, analyze thoughts and feelings about chosen career choice and position. Evaluate and identify which of the frameworks' considerations are most important in career choice.

Please center and bold without underlines each of the six occupational considerations as subsections in paper. As a reminder, are evaluating the position relative to personal beliefs and feelings not the position itself.

Challenge: Positions can range from exceedingly demanding to not demanding. In a demanding position, are likely to be constantly busy, may work a significant amount of overtime, and are generally under time pressure. In a less demanding position, there is little to no stress and the days may seem to drag on - basically show up and get paid. Evaluate selected position with regard to preference of the level of demands by considering some of the following position -related attributes: ability to attain goals, task difficulty, outcome controllability, time pressures, stress levels, professional certification requirements and performance-based pay.

Compensation (Financial Rewards): Compensation is the financial reward expect to earn for services, including salary, insurance, vacation pay, retirement, family leave options, and other benefits. It is highly unlikely the position posting will list all financial rewards. Based on the position selected, should research the following compensation related attributes: starting salary, long-term salary range, commissions or bonuses, retirement plans, stock options, medical and dental insurance, tuition reimbursement and paid and unpaid time off. Once have an idea of the position's compensation and benefits, evaluate their importance to in selecting the position. Remember, expected compensation should be in the form of a salary (e.g., $35,000 per year) rather than an hourly rate.

Culture (Working Environment): Culture is the internal environment of the company, encompassing how their employees are treated, their ethical practices, work life balance and physical working conditions. To understand a little about company culture, might read ratings from the position posting from current and past employees. Are trying to evaluate whether the company culture is a fit for. After determining the company/organizational culture, evaluate the importance of the company's culture in selecting the position. May consider some of the following position culture attributes: company values, working hours per week, work-life balance, inclusive and collaborative, communication and feedback, teamwork, remote work possibility, progressive, company image, work related travel, and sustainability/corporate social responsibility.

Location: Location is primary physical location of the position (i.e., where will work). When evaluating location, consider and discuss attributes such as climate, commute time/distance, distance from family/loved ones, proximity to home, affordable housing, size of the city/town, access to cultural, sports and/or outdoor activities, access to health care, public transportation and distance from an airport. Generally, will fall into one of three position location preferences, willing to go anywhere; open to several locations, but not willing to work just anywhere; or needing to stay close to home.

Opportunity for Advancement (Career Prospects): Might also read this as potential for growth within the company. When evaluating opportunity for advancement, consider the size and location of the company relative to other criteria. Ask how important growing with the current company or future company is for. When thinking about opportunities for advancement, should consider training, mentorship and professional development opportunities with the current company as well as short and long-term promotion potential.

Purpose (Intrinsic Value): Purpose represents the belief(s) that have an overarching aim (i.e., contribute to society) that informs the development of goals and goal-oriented behaviors. When have purpose, are creating or doing something, feel energized, and motivated. If consider work (position) a "calling" rather than "just" a job, work has purpose. When contemplating, purpose consider if the position would be intellectually stimulating, give have a chance to make a contribution, enhance social prestige, enable to achieve personal and professional goals while feeling appreciated as part of the team.