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A&M Home>> SCS Home>> Self-Help>> Infosheets>> Five Ways to Research an Occupation>>
Five Ways to Research an Occupation
  1. Identify what you need to know about the occupation

    • What is the work itself like?

    • Where would you work (type of organization)?

    • What training or education is required?

    • What are the rewards (e.g. salary, advancement potential)?

    • What is the job outlook?

    • Does this occupation fit with your abilities, work needs, interests, lifestyle preferences, etc.?

    • Will you be able to complete the required training?

  2. Conduct general research on occupations

    • Use the resources available in the Academic & Career Resource Center.

    • Guide for Occupational Exploration (GOE) - categorizes occupations by interest areas and explains the type of work, qualifications, required preparation, job outlook, related occupations, etc. Available in the Academic & Career Resource Center.

    • Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) - gives information about the nature of the work, work environment, places of work, training, education and other qualifications, job outlook, related occupations, etc.

    • Vocational Biographies - provides information from the perspective of someone currently employed in the occupation, including path taken to arrive at that career, typical work day, and basic information about the occupation.

    • DISCOVER - a web-based career exploration tool in which you will have the chance to take three inventories to learn more about your interests, work-related abilities and values and develop a personalized list of occupations and majors. To use Discover, click here.

  3. Conduct specific research

  4. Go to an informational interview

    • After researching occupations through other resources, talk to people in fields that particularly interest you.

  5. Get some experience

    • Consider an internship or obtaining academic credit for working. The Career Center provides information on cooperative education and internship possibilities.

    • Get a part-time or summer job in an environment that interests you.

    • Do volunteer work in a field of interest.

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