Mrs. Nelson's SLHS Counseling Blog: Career Planning

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. ~Confucius

IntoCareers

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College/Career Planning for SLHS Students

Planning for college and a career doesn't happen overnight. It's a process, filled with research and exploration!

Step 1: Self Exploration

Who are you? What are your interests/preferences? What don't you like? What makes you happy? Etc. EXPLORE!

A. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The best way to understand your personality or psychological type is to take an
official MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) instrument from a qualified professional. For $50 you may do so here. However, listed below are some self-scoring inventories that do not substitute taking the MBTI ®, rather provide a free opportunity to approximate your MBTI preferences.

Quick & easy assessment to determine your four letter code (MBTI)

Another quick & easy assessment (MBTI)

More personality details of four letter code (MBTI)

Suggested career for your four letter code (MBTI)

More career details for your four letter code (MBTI)

B. Holland Code

Research shows that personalities seek out and flourish in career environments that "fit" their personality type. Each letter or code stands for a particular personality type: Realistic (Doers), Investigative (Thinkers), Artistic (Creator), Social (Helpers), Enterprising (Persuaders), and Conventional (Organizers). Your Holland Code will not only describe your personality, but allows for you to search for careers that align or match your Holland Code.

Quick & easy assessment to determine your Holland Code

Another quick & easy assessment

Personality details, suggested careers & college majors dependent upon Holland Code

Holland Codes and their respective career clusters

Enter your Holland Code and see your suggested careers here

Step 2: Work Environment

After you've discovered more about your personality and interests, it's time to think about your ideal work environment.

A. Ideal Work Environment

According to the authors of What Color is Your Parachute for Teens, the term "environment" is more than just the location where you do your work (e.g. office, lab, farm), it also includes your work space (e.g. desk, cubicle, ranch, machine shop), physical conditions (e.g. noisy or quiet, inside or outside), atmosphere (e.g. formal, casual, working style), company size, and clothing (e.g. uniform, scrubs, jeans).

B. Ideal Community

In addition to the importance of your preferred work environment, it is equally as important to take into consideration your ideal community (i.e. geographical features, people, neighborhood, culture, educational opportunities, recreation, transportation, etc.).

C. Ideal Salary

What is the amount it will take to finance your preferred lifestyle? If you don't know what your preferred lifestyle might cost, you may explore this at the following websites: Reality Check and Jump Start.

D. Level of Responsibility

What is your preferred "level of worry?" Be mindful that although you may start out at one point in the level of responsibility hierarchy, over time you may gain the education and experience you need in order to advance.

Step 3: Job Shadow

At this point, your well aware of your personality, interests, and preferences on various factors, and should have a list (doesn't matter if it's short or long) of potential careers you're interested in.

The next step should be to schedule and set up a job shadow or job interview. This would consist of locating someone in your interested profession to contact and schedule a job shadow. At the job shadow you would have to opportunity to observe the work environment and ask the professional questions that you may have about the profession. It is suggested to job shadow the occupation three times (each at different locations with different professionals) before completely ruling it out as each profession can change drastically given the company or other factors. Please see me if you have questions, are hesitant about this step, or would like assistance.

Freshmen	Sophomores	Juniors	Seniors
Career Advising Program	Career Advising Program	Career Advising Program	Career Advising Program
Career Exploration Unit(English, Level 1)	PSAT (optional)	ACT (optional)	ACT (optional)
Accuplacer	College Visits	PSAT (optional)	College Visits
College Visits	Feature Fridays	ASVAB (optional)	ASVAB (optional)
Feature Fridays Tour Days	Tour Days	College Visits Feature Fridays Job Shadow Opportunities Tour Days	Senior Internship(J-Term) Feature Fridays Job Shadow Opportunities Tour Days Fall Breakout