| Do you remember when career exploration was | | | | database administrators; veterinary technologists and |
| playing make-believe? At any given time you could | | | | technicians; and dental hygienists.Get a closer look with |
| switch from being a master chef to a brain surgeon to | | | | internshipsNow that you have a clearer picture of |
| an archeologist with just the change of a costume. If | | | | what career piques your interest, dive in! You will need |
| only choosing a career were as easy as a wardrobe | | | | first-hand knowledge to make a well-informed decision. |
| change.Career exploration involves research, | | | | The best way to find out what a career really entails |
| observation, experimentation and relationship building. | | | | is to find an internship. Internships allow you the |
| And although stressful at times, it can be fun and | | | | opportunity to work in your desired field, exposing you |
| exciting. You just need to develop the right approach | | | | to the reality of the job, not the glamour that many |
| to the process of looking for the right career.Narrow | | | | careers enjoy.While you are learning the ropes of your |
| career optionsOne of the biggest mistakes young | | | | desired profession, don't forget to make connections. |
| adults make in career exploration is giving themselves | | | | Many times young adults are intimidated by the idea of |
| too many choices. The average person has a few | | | | networking. It is not as bad as people make it out to |
| natural skills that can translate into a career. If you don't | | | | be. You can start with your internship supervisor and |
| have an aptitude for science, you will not do well in | | | | the professionals you work with directly. Ask them if |
| medicine, even if you have always dreamt of being a | | | | they belong to any national or local professional |
| doctor. Identify your natural talents and find careers | | | | organizations. If the do, get information about |
| that utilize those skill sets. For instance, if you are | | | | membership and upcoming events. These are just |
| extremely patient and good at explaining things in | | | | more opportunities to build relationships while learning |
| simple terms, a career in teaching, tutoring or early child | | | | the insides of your desired profession.No one likes to |
| care might be a great fit.Choose a career with | | | | feel overwhelmed. Having too many career choices is |
| longevityTechnology has continued to shape the job | | | | definitely overwhelming. Making your search |
| market. Many jobs that were in demand a decade | | | | manageable by narrowing your career options, |
| ago have decreased in importance. Others have been | | | | focusing on careers with a future such as the ten |
| eliminated all together. Self-check out at the grocery | | | | hottest careers mentioned above, seeking first-hand |
| store has eliminated many cashier positions. It is | | | | experience through internships and building relationships |
| important that as you explore your career options you | | | | with professionals in the field will pay off handsomely in |
| choose from careers that will be around for a while.A | | | | the long run.Nourisha Wells is the College Preparation |
| great place to start is the Bureau of Labor Statistics | | | | editor for Search4 Career College News, and site |
| (BLS). According to the BLS, there are some careers | | | | editor for Counselor Companion. She has published |
| that will experience tremendous growth during the next | | | | articles on preparing high school students for college, |
| decade. Although you might not be interested in a | | | | finding financial aid, standardized test preparation, teen |
| particular job, you might find that your skills are still | | | | health and safety issues, parental and teacher |
| needed in the specific industry.The ten hottest careers | | | | involvement in college search and career exploration. |
| for college graduates are network systems and data | | | | She has also written several articles promoting career |
| communications analysts; physician assistants; medical | | | | colleges and technical schools for adults going back to |
| records and health information technicians; computer | | | | college, career changers seeking advanced degrees |
| software engineers, applications; computer software | | | | and non-traditional students heading to college for the |
| engineers, systems software; physical therapist | | | | first time. |
| assistants; fitness trainers and aerobics instructors; | | | | |