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