CareerPlan - Step 2: Explore Careers

STEP 2:  EXPLORE   CAREER  OPTIONS
 
                                   Step 1       Step 2        Step 3       Step 4

Once you have a clearer understanding of
yourself through activities from Step 1,
you can now turn your attention to
researching various career paths.

Consider connecting in person with your
Century College Counselor as you enter
or complete Step 2 (Call 651-779-3285
for an appointment).

Be sure to print out all useful information
you gather in Step 2, or save it in your GPS eFolio.
To create your GPS eFolio, link here.
You will be using it in Step 4.

Career Exploration Worksheet 
Start here if you would like a worksheet to print off and complete while collecting your career research. 

Occupational Outlook Handbook
(The link above will open a new window)
This site is annually updated by the Federal Government.  The A-Z index routes you to thousands of careers.

Minnesota Careers - I SEEK
(The link above will open a new window)
Use this site for guidance on Minnesota careers.  Use "Investigate Careers", then "Occupation Index" to get quick information on salaries, job outlook, and training needed.  Many other helpful links can be found from this main page.

Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)
This in-depth site allows you to link to a handy occupations information site, an occupations sort to match factors that are important to you, self-employment guides, and so much more.  When entering MCIS you must log in.  For the free username and password, call the Century
Career Center at (651) 779-3285.  Once you indentify yourself with your Century ID#, the staff will give you these codes.

Century College Career Center
While on campus, visit the Career Center in W2400 and look over a variety of materials. Books, catalogs, transfer information, and career guides await your exploration in person.  Use the computers to access career exploration tools online.

Trends
(The link above will open a new window)
Here you can view current trends in Minnesota's future work outlook.

Job Profiles 
(The link above will open a new window)
This link offers you job profiles, challenges, and career advice from experienced workers.  Additional links are available, too.

Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men 
(The link above will open a new window)
Consider all of your options; don't limit yourself to common gender-specific careers.  Nontraditional careers focus on work that typically has had 75% or more involvement by one gender.

Informational Interviews
Many students feel this method of research is the most powerful - see what you think.  This link discusses the technique of informational interviewing, gives you sound advice, then links to a worksheet that you can print and take along to your research interviews.

Unusual Jobs
(The link above will open a new window)
This site is great if you are searching for something beyond the norm.  Permission to link granted by Richard N. Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute, and JobHuntersBible.com. 

The Cost of Living in Minnesota
(The link above will open a new window)
The Jobs Now Coalition has created a helpful tool to assist you to match hourly wages to your monthly budget planning.  If finances are an important factor in your career search, review this site.  It identifies a family's basic needs and what it costs to meet them.  You input your location in the state, your family size, and monthly budget factors.  Be mindful that it does not include items like entertainment, loan repayments, or training costs.  Link to "Wage and Budget Calculator" to get started.

Have you finished with Step 2?  Great!
Move on to Step 3.

CareerPlan Home
Contact a Counselor