| Do you remember when career exploration was | | | | aerobics instructors; database |
| playing make-believe? At any given time you | | | | administrators; veterinary technologists and |
| could switch from being a master chef to a | | | | technicians; and dental hygienists.Get a |
| brain surgeon to an archeologist with just | | | | closer look with internshipsNow that you have |
| the change of a costume. If only choosing a | | | | a clearer picture of what career piques your |
| career were as easy as a wardrobe | | | | interest, dive in! You will need first-hand |
| change.Career exploration involves research, | | | | knowledge to make a well-informed decision. |
| observation, experimentation and relationship | | | | The best way to find out what a career really |
| building. And although stressful at times, it | | | | entails is to find an internship. Internships |
| can be fun and exciting. You just need to | | | | allow you the opportunity to work in your |
| develop the right approach to the process of | | | | desired field, exposing you to the reality |
| looking for the right career.Narrow career | | | | of the job, not the glamour that many careers |
| optionsOne of the biggest mistakes young | | | | enjoy.While you are learning the ropes of |
| adults make in career exploration is giving | | | | your desired profession, don't forget to make |
| themselves too many choices. The average | | | | connections. Many times young adults are |
| person has a few natural skills that can | | | | intimidated by the idea of networking. It is |
| translate into a career. If you don't have an | | | | not as bad as people make it out to be. You |
| aptitude for science, you will not do well in | | | | can start with your internship supervisor and |
| medicine, even if you have always dreamt of | | | | the professionals you work with directly. Ask |
| being a doctor. Identify your natural talents | | | | them if they belong to any national or local |
| and find careers that utilize those skill | | | | professional organizations. If the do, get |
| sets. For instance, if you are extremely | | | | information about membership and upcoming |
| patient and good at explaining things in | | | | events. These are just more opportunities to |
| simple terms, a career in teaching, tutoring | | | | build relationships while learning the |
| or early child care might be a great | | | | insides of your desired profession.No one |
| fit.Choose a career with longevityTechnology | | | | likes to feel overwhelmed. Having too many |
| has continued to shape the job market. Many | | | | career choices is definitely overwhelming. |
| jobs that were in demand a decade ago have | | | | Making your search manageable by narrowing |
| decreased in importance. Others have been | | | | your career options, focusing on careers with |
| eliminated all together. Self-check out at | | | | a future such as the ten hottest careers |
| the grocery store has eliminated many cashier | | | | mentioned above, seeking first-hand |
| positions. It is important that as you | | | | experience through internships and building |
| explore your career options you choose from | | | | relationships with professionals in the field |
| careers that will be around for a while.A | | | | will pay off handsomely in the long |
| great place to start is the Bureau of Labor | | | | run.Nourisha Wells is the College Preparation |
| Statistics (BLS). According to the BLS, there | | | | editor for Search4 Career College News, and |
| are some careers that will experience | | | | site editor for Counselor Companion. She has |
| tremendous growth during the next decade. | | | | published articles on preparing high school |
| Although you might not be interested in a | | | | students for college, finding financial aid, |
| particular job, you might find that your | | | | standardized test preparation, teen health |
| skills are still needed in the specific | | | | and safety issues, parental and teacher |
| industry.The ten hottest careers for college | | | | involvement in college search and career |
| graduates are network systems and data | | | | exploration. She has also written several |
| communications analysts; physician | | | | articles promoting career colleges and |
| assistants; medical records and health | | | | technical schools for adults going back to |
| information technicians; computer software | | | | college, career changers seeking advanced |
| engineers, applications; computer software | | | | degrees and non-traditional students heading |
| engineers, systems software; physical | | | | to college for the first time. |
| therapist assistants; fitness trainers and | | | | |