Investigating a Career
One of the most interesting ways of getting information about a certain career is to talk to someone who is actively working in that area.
When you visit different work sites, you can ask the people you meet about their careers.
Some questions to ask are:
- What is your job like? How is a typical day spent? What is the working environment like? How many hours do you typically work?
- What aspect(s) of your work do you find most satisfying? Least satisfying?
- What personal traits seem most helpful for this kind of work? What special skills and abilities?
- What types of people probably would not enjoy this line of work?
- How did you make the decision to get in this field? Did others agree with your thinking?
- Was this your first job choice? How many times did you change your mind? Why?
- What kind of salary can I expect to start out with? In five years?
- What courses during training did you find most helpful?
- Are there any preparatory experiences or courses you wished you would have taken prior to entering this field?
- What effect has your job had on your lifestyle? How does your job affect your personal life?
- Has your general philosophy changed as a result of your participation in the field? For instance, are you more realistic now?
- Where do you see yourself going from here? What are your aspirations?
- What advice do you have for someone considering a career in this field?
- Who depends on your work? Upon whom do you depend for your work?
- What kind of need will there be for this occupation over the next 10, 20 or 30 years?
