Thinking Critically about Careers Research Paper:

Getting Started

• Review the Library Guide in the Learning Activities section of this Module. This guide includes:
  • Research recommendations and sources
  • How to determine if your source is reliable
  • APA Style Guide
• Start researching careers in Information Technology that interest you. As you are researching, narrow down your selection to the two you are most interested in. Those are the two you will include in your paper.

Career Questions to answer in your paper

1. Job Title
2. Job Description

This includes a description of the career itself, skills or tasks that one performs in this career, and any additional information that you feel is relevant to this area

1. Education and/or Training Requirements
   • What level of schooling is necessary?
   • Are there any tests or examinations that are necessary?
   • Are certifications required?
   • Is a license required?
2. Salary
   • What is the annual salary or hourly rate?
   • Does education make a difference in salary?
3. Job Benefits & Job Drawbacks
   • What are the benefits of this career?
   • What are some things that may not be so great about the career?
4. Opportunities for Advancement
   • What are the chances for advancement in this field?
   • Would advancement require additional training?
   • Would advancement require additional duties? Explain.
   • Is there a need for continuing education to hold this position? Explain
5. Description of "A typical day in the life of a person in this career choice"

Write the Research Paper

After selecting the two career paths you will be evaluating, write a 3-4 page paper which includes the following sections: Make sure to follow Follow APA guidelines.

1. Title Page 2. Introduction Identify the two career paths you selected and provide an overview of the process you used to determine the IT career paths to select from and what sparked your interest in the ones you selected.

3. Career Path 1 Discuss each of the questions listed in the "Career Questions to answer in your paper". Summarize the aspects of this career path that you found appealing, and summarize the aspects of this career path that you find less appealing. Include citations as appropriate.

4. Career Path 2 Discuss each of the questions listed in the "Career Questions to answer in your paper". Summarize the aspects of this career path that you found appealing, and summarize the aspects of this career path that you find less appealing. Include citations as appropriate.

5. Conclusion Compare and contrast both Career paths you researched and write a summary of which one you are most interested in and why. Include citations as appropriate.

6. References Include at least three web-based resources. To insert your References, use the Built-in References generator in Microsoft Word (References > Citations & Bibliography > Bibliography)

7. Footnote Include minimum ofONEfootnote.To insert your footnote, use the Footnote generator in Microsoft Word (References > Footnotes > Insert Footnotes)

8. Citation

Minimum of three citations included in the document. (References>Citations or References>Insert Citation)