Career Exploration Paper Instructions

EDCE 522

Career Exploration Paper Instructions

The purpose of this assignment is to learn how to use O*NET to explore career options for yourself and your future clients. After reviewing the results of the O*NET Interest Profiler, you selected 1 potential career that you wanted to explore further. For this paper, you will use the O*NET SOC code to gather additional information about that occupation. Go to the O*NET website (http://www.onetonline.org/) and select “Occupation Search.” Input the “O*NET SOC Code” you identified as a potential occupation when taking the O*NET Interest Profiler and press enter. A full description of your particular career of interest should appear on the screen.

 

References: For this paper, much of the information that you report will come directly from O*NET. Thus, you will cite information from O*NET in this paper differently than your other references. In the introduction paragraph, include the following sentence:

 

Unless otherwise cited, the career information presented in this paper was obtained from O*NET On-Line (National Center for O*NET Development, 20XX).

 

In addition to O*NET, you must have at least 2 other references. One reference must be from CareerOneStop and the other from the Occupational Outlook Handbook for the occupation. These 2 sources are accessible through the O*NET summary page for your occupation. These resources must be cited in-text using current APA formatting. All 3 references must be included on the reference page. Read the information on p. 3 for more additional information.

 

Instructions: Dividing your paper using the bold headings below (without Roman numerals), write a 4–6-page current APA-formatted paper (no abstract necessary). Remember to bold and center all Level 1 headings. Your paper may be written in first-person. Save your paper in Microsoft Word as: Your last name_first initial_career_exploration_paper (Example: Doe_J_ career_exploration_paper).

Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 8.

 

Address each question thoroughly:

 

I. Career Field and Occupation of Choice

List the occupation you have chosen to explore. Also, include your 3 primary Holland Codes and the O*NET SOC Code.

II. The Nature of the Work for this career, including such things as:

· Duties

· Skills

· Activities

· Typical work day

 

III. Working Conditions for this career, including such things as:

· Work environment

· Hours

· Work alone or with others

· Type of supervision

· Populations worked with (age, socioeconomic level, presenting issues)

· Psychological aspects of work setting (stress levels, crisis situations, deadlines, multiple tasks, etc.)

IV. Preparation and Qualifications for this career, including such things as:

· Education

· Skills

· Experience

· Personal traits

V. Opportunities and Future Outlook for this career, including such things as:

· Occupation workforce size and composition

· Geographic distribution

· Large/small firms

· Security/advancement/related opportunities?

VI. Economic and Non-Economic Benefits for this career including such things as:

· Entry-level/average annual earnings (locally and elsewhere)

· Related benefits (insurance, vacation, sick leave, education)

· Non-economic benefits

· Personal satisfaction factors

· Associated lifestyle

· Psychological rewards

VII. Disadvantages and/or Special Situations for this career including such things as:

· Irregular work hours

· Seasonal work

· Overtime or night work

· Travel

· Hazards

VIII. Conclusion

· What did you learn about the career that you did not know before or that surprised you?

· How do the occupational characteristics and requirements fit with your current interests and values?

· How do the occupational characteristics and requirements fit with your career goals?

· What advantages/limitations do you see in using O*Net in your future career as a counselor?

 

References for this Assignment

 

O*NET: Adapt the following reference format for your selected occupation. The date to use in the reference is marked below. The following information is for Mental Health Counselors:

 

National Center for O*NET Development. (2010). Summary Report: Mental Health Counselors. (O*Net Report No. 21-1014.00). Retrieved from O*Net Online website: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1014.00

 

 

 

At the bottom of this page, you will find links to the following required sites:

 

CareerOneStop: Selecting information for your state will take you to the CareerOneStop site.

 

Occupational Outlook Handbook: Go to the sources of additional information for your occupation. This will take you to the Occupational Outlook Handbook site. Please review APA formatting when citing information from these 2 organizations.

 

 

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