Step 2 - Which career is right for you?
The chances are that there is more than one occupation that is right for you, but unless you look at the full range of possibilities, working systematically through the steps, you may never find out all the options suitable for you.
This exercise is just one way of sorting through the range of options covered on the Job Guide website using your personal interests.
To get the maximum value from this step, continue on with the next seven stages.
Stage 1
The following describes seven types of work categories. Read the description of each of the type of work categories carefully before going on to the next stage.
Analytic or Scientific
These jobs involve working with ideas to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
Creative or Artistic
These jobs involve working with ideas, to creatively express, present or perform them. An appreciation of design, style, form, beauty or related concepts used to develop or interpret an idea are important. Activities include writing, painting, singing, dancing, decorating, designing and performing.
Helping or Advising
These jobs involve working with people, to help, inform, teach or treat them. Activities include discussing personal issues, listening to people's problems, and providing advice, instruction, information or treatment to meet their needs.
Nature or Recreation
These jobs involve working with things in the natural world, such as conservation, handling animals, raising crops or livestock, or sport. Activities include growing and caring for living things, or an involvement with sport, leisure or the environment.
Organising or Clerical
These jobs involve working with data, to order, process, or retrieve facts and figures, or to develop or administer policies and procedures. Activities include organising, using or updating information, such as files or accounts, developing or following procedures or systems, and the planning, budgeting, and staffing of an organisation.
Persuading or Service Jobs
These jobs involve working with people, to sell to, influence, motivate, negotiate with, or serve them. Activities include selling, promoting or providing goods or services, bargaining, or presenting a point of view.
Practical or Mechanical
These jobs involve working with things, using the hands, or special tools or equipment to make, fix, install or adjust them. Activities include doing practical and physical tasks, and may require an understanding of how equipment or machinery works.
Stage 2
Having read through these type of work categories, ask yourself:
- Would I like or dislike this type of work?
- How much would I like or dislike it?
Indicate your likes and dislikes on the Type of Work Chart on the Job Guide website by ticking the appropriate boxes.
Stage 3
Go to the list of occupations by type of work categories (Jobs Chart on the Job Guide website). Look up the occupations for which you ticked 'like a lot' or 'like' on the Type of Work Chart.
You will notice that the jobs listed in the Jobs Chart have been divided into four skill levels.
Skill Level 1
Most occupations in this group have a level of skill equal to the completion of Year 10 schooling, the Secondary School Certificate, Certificate I or Certificate II qualification. Practical expertise or experience may often be more important than academic achievement. Some occupations offering an entry pathway through a New Apprenticeship fall into this category.
Skill Level 2
Most occupations in this group have a level of skill equal to a Certificate III or IV or at least three years relevant experience. In some cases relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification. Some occupations offering an entry pathway through a New Apprenticeship fall into this category.
Skill Level 3
Most occupations in Skill Level 3 require a level of skill equal to a Diploma or Advanced Diploma. Study for this qualification is often undertaken within a registered training organisation, including Institutes of TAFE. Some universities offer studies at the Advanced Diploma and Diploma levels (sometimes referred to as Associate Degrees). In some cases relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.
Skill Level 4
Most occupations in this category require the successful completion of a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Study is usually undertaken at university. In some cases relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.
The classification of occupations into the four skill levels required for entry should be used as a guide only. It may be possible to enter some jobs at different levels.
You should look not only at the level of education required for each occupation, but also at the level you are expecting to reach. For instance, you may be in Year 10 now, but expect to complete a Year 12 Certificate over the next two years, and then do some post-secondary study after that. In this case, you would probably focus on occupations listed under Levels 3 and 4.
Stage 4
One way to start examining occupations is by crossing out those that do not appeal to you. Quite often you know the types of jobs that you do not want rather than those you do. Cross out an occupation only if you are sure of what it involves. If in doubt, do not cross it out. Take a look at the full job description using the Search the Job Guide section on the Job Guide Web Site.
You should finish up with a list of occupations to explore more thoroughly.
Stage 5
Once you have finished identifying the occupations, you can begin to explore them by:
- reading the job descriptions using the Search the Job Guide on the Job Guide website. By looking carefully at these entries you may decide that some occupations on your list are not for you. The contacts listed in each job entry can be a further source of information.
- finding more information on the website at www.myfuture.edu.au.
- talking to your school careers adviser.
Stage 6
If you found that there were no choices left after Stages 4 and 5, it could mean a couple of things.
- You were a bit too 'hard' on certain aspects of some jobs. You must realise that the 'ideal' job rarely exists and sometimes you have to compromise.
- Perhaps it is not really your type of work interest area after all. You may need to return to Stage 1 and work through the stages again more carefully.
Stage 7
In the final stages of your investigation, you will need to do some in-depth research into your remaining job options with people involved in these jobs (for example employers, employees, unions, employer associations, professional organisations and training providers). You should be able to work out more accurately how realistic and achievable your goals are and make some definite plans for getting into the study or work area of your choice.
You should repeat this kind of exercise every so often, as your interests, and therefore job options, may change as you mature, experience new things or gain new skills.
Other ways to find out about jobs that interest you
There are many other ways to find out which careers might interest you. Some of these are outlined below. You should have a good look at these, as you may find new ideas to consider when investigating occupations.
Ask yourself:
- What careers and jobs interest me when I watch TV, read the newspaper, or listen to the radio?
Read:
- newspapers-career articles and job vacancies advertisements
- university and TAFE handbooks
- Job Guide
- other career publications.
Most are available at Centrelink Offices, and school or community libraries.
Telephone or write to:
- companies asking if they have any information on the type of occupations and opportunities that are available in their company
Talk with:
- teachers, especially your careers adviser
- your parents, family and friends
- human resources staff in organisations where your occupation may be located
- people working in the occupation
- experts at Open Days, Career Nights
- staff at your nearest Centrelink Office
Look at:
- videos on careers at school, on TV or at a Centrelink Office
- people at work
- displays at Open Days, Career Nights
- information on the Internet at www.myfuture.edu.au is a good place to start
Try for yourself:
- holiday jobs
- work experience schemes
- casual or part-time jobs after school or on weekends
- volunteer jobs
Take notes:
Jot down everything you find out about an occupation.
- What would I have to do?
- At what age could I start?
- What level of schooling would I need?
- What subjects should I study?
- What personal qualities are needed?
- What training is needed?
- What opportunities are there?
- What is the salary?
- What are the working conditions like?
- Are there any good or bad points to the job?
- An address or contact so I can write for further information.
- Rating from 0 (not for me) to 10 (I would love this job).
Finding information on entry requirements, wages, and what future there is in an occupation is not hard if you use the methods outlined in this section. Be active. Talk to people in the occupation or spend time in a workplace. Be sure to ask questions. It is important that you get a complete, realistic picture of the occupation so that you can make a fair judgment about whether or not it is for you.
Contact professional associations and employer organisations:
Some professional associations and employer organisations produce career literature that you may find particularly useful. In addition, some employer associations offer assistance in preparing for job interviews and test potential recruits.
Examples of professional associations that could be useful are included in the Further Information section of many of the occupation entries in the Search the Job Guide on the Job Guide website. Information can also be found on the Internet and in the White or Yellow Pages.
Contact Industry Training Advisory Boards:
Industry Training Advisory Boards (ITABs), sometimes referred to as Industry Training Councils (ITCs), provide advice to government and training providers on the skills required for occupations in their particular industries. They can provide you with advice on education and training requirements and employment prospects. Some ITABs also have liaison officers who can give presentations to school students.
Information linking ITABs to occupations may be shown in the job descriptions. Contact details can also be found in the Useful Addresses section of the Job Guide website.
Contact unions:
Unions play an increasing role in providing information about jobs. They will answer any questions you may have about union matters, including information about how the union affects your work life, the advantages of membership and the aims and achievements of the union. You should make a written or telephone approach to the appropriate union for your area of interest. They can provide useful information about award conditions and the working environment of many industries. Contact details for unions may be included with the relevant job descriptions, or can be found in the White Pages. Information can also be found at the ACTU website for secondary students.
Summary
Do you have a clear picture of all aspects of careers that interest you? Do you know how to get that interesting occupation? If not, you may need to do some more work on this step. Remember that job availability changes from year to year as do course requirements. Make sure your information is up-to-date.
Content provided by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website and The Good Guides Group.