Career Information for High School Students
UtahMentor can assist you in discovering your career goals and objectives. Your career goals and objectives are important to consider when you are exploring different educational opportunities.
Here are some good questions to consider:
- Which school is the best fit for me?
- What is the best major for me?
- Have you considered volunteer work?
- What careers may I want to consider?
- What are your long-term career goals?
Self-Assessment
The Career Interest Survey helps identify your interests, skills, values, and personality using Holland codes (R, I, A, S, E, C). In the List of Careers, explore the occupations that match your Holland code(s) and see if any of them catch your interest. Information available to you includes occupation descriptions, worker characteristics, entry-level academic and training requirements, work environment, physical demands, and related occupations.
Deciding on a Major
Much of your decision will be based on the college you attend and what you want to do. Some majors are directly related to specific careers. For example, if you hope to be an English teacher, the obvious major to choose is English. But there are many careers that don't require specific majors or courses. If you don't have a specific career goal in mind, it might be best to choose a major that interests you. By doing so, you will grow intellectually and, hopefully, excel academically.
Virtual Campus Tours - Click on "Academics" within each school's campus tour to view what majors are offered at each school.
www.utahmajors.org allows you to research through the different Utah College Campus programs and majors.
Changing Your Mind
Remember, it's okay to change your mind. If you decide later that you want to work in some profession completely unrelated to your major, you still can. You might have to go back to college and take the core courses you need, but you can still pursue your dream.
Deciding which school is best for you should be dependent on your career track and college major program you're interested in pursuing.
Which School is the Best Fit for Me?
Deciding which school is best for you should be dependent on your career track and college major program you're interested in pursuing. Other factors to consider are the costs at each school, regarding, tuition, housing, and other related school expenses, such as travel. Click on the Comparative View to compare these differences, to allow you to make the best informed decision. Again, take advantage of the Virtual Campus Tours of colleges in Utah.
Job Shadowing
It's hard to know what people in a particular occupation actually do during their typical workday. To get a feel for an occupation, ask someone who works in a career in which you are seriously interested if you can shadow him or her for a day. If he or she agrees, you get to see what the job really entails, both the boring and the beautiful. You also get to make a contact, thereby starting to build your professional network.
Internships
Internships are generally pursued later, either once you're in college or have some work experience. They're designed to provide a more focused exposure to an organization or career. Internships are also a great way to network for future positions, because you gain experience and make personal contacts. Some internships are paid (usually not a large amount) and others are unpaid.
Talk with your school's Work Based Learning Coordinator or Guidance Counselor to find out about internship opportunities in your local area.
Some organizations, companies, and government offices have formal internship programs that you must apply to and even compete for despite the free labor you are offering. Another way to find an internship is to contact a place at which you'd like to work and offer to work as an intern.
Internship Resources
Why Volunteer?
Volunteer work gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to those in need. Volunteering also allows you to observe and try out various professions. Although volunteer work is not paid, it's important to keep your commitment, to call in advance when you are unable to meet your commitment, and, while on the job, to take your volunteer work as seriously as a paid job. Acting professionally and demonstrating your dedication will lead others to think highly of you, and will allow you to leave the position on good terms.
Volunteering Is Admirable
Volunteer work is different from an internship, in which it is understood that you are working either for free or for a small wage to learn about a particular career for an entry-level position after graduation. Volunteer workers are viewed as people who want to make a difference and are generous, committed, and confident. After all, you are acting on a belief that you have something to give.
What You Can Learn
Volunteer service allows you to express varied and undiscovered aspects of yourself. You interact with different types of people, in different settings from those you're accustomed to, and you are given the opportunity to hone skills that you have and possibly learn new skills. You get to observe and participate in different types of work and see if you are interested in pursuing a career in one of these types of work without the pressure and obligation of a paying job. If your work performance is good, you will leave with a strong recommendation and a good letter of reference, both of which are very useful assets in your job hunt.
Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to network, including more than just the people for and with whom you volunteer. Volunteer work, in and out of a work field of interest, adds a huge plus to your resume. Your experience may provide a conversation starter and it may help you assess a future employer.
Finding Volunteer Work That Is Right for You
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I care about?
- What problems have I seen that cause me to say, "Somebody should do something?"
- What touches my heart?
- What skills and talents do I possess?
- What skills do I want to gain or improve upon?
Everyone can find a way to be of service. Something as basic as the fact that you read and write means that you can teach other people to read and write or that you can read aloud to the impaired or at a children's story hour. You can be of service by serving food or sorting clothes in a homeless shelter. Virtually any organization can use you to answer phones and help with mailings. Any special talents such as playing an instrument or computer skills can be put to good use. The important thing is to extend yourself.
Volunteering Resources
Online Information and Referral (Volunteer Opportunities in Utah)
Contacts
Depending on where you live, you can contact the places listed below as a starting point. Tell someone there what you want to do and they will provide you with names and numbers of organizations that will help you find a good match.
- Chamber of Commerce
- Volunteer Center
- YMCA
- YWCA
- Library
