Puzzled about your career path? To find a career that is a good fit for you---with your personality, with your abilities, with your interests, values and work preferences---it's best to give it some thought and take time to get it right.
After all, career exploration is not the same as just a simple job search. A job search is a short-term process while career exploration is a more lengthy approach. It involves choosing appropriate education and training, planning and searching for positions that fit your particular skills and interests and obviously requires more time and thought. It's somewhat like putting together a puzzle. You need all the pieces to form a complete picture.
Use our puzzle or career exploration tool, Planning Your Future, to help break down the career exploration process into manageable steps. It is divided into six practical stages: (1) Understand yourself, (2) Explore occupations, (3) Choose an occupational path, (4) Get equipped, (5) Launch a job search, and (6) Manage your career. Each section has various resources and tools, information and worksheets to help you work through that stage of the process.
In addition, this section of the website provides information on the Career Advancement Plan (CAP), assessments, selection of a major, career or occupational fields, mentors to assist in the career exploration process, and international careers. Whether you are looking for your first or 21st job, you'll find this entire section information helpful.
