How do you learn about different careers?

1 Identify your preferences

Before you start researching different careers, it is helpful to identify your preferences and priorities. What are you good at and what do you enjoy doing? What are your values and motivations? What are your short-term and long-term goals? You can use various tools and assessments, such as personality tests, skills inventories, and career quizzes, to help you clarify your preferences. You can also reflect on your past experiences, feedback, and achievements, and look for patterns and themes.

2 Explore online resources

Learning about different careers is made easy with the use of online resources, such as websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, and social media. You can find a wealth of information on various aspects of different careers, from job descriptions and duties to skills, qualifications, salaries, trends, and challenges. Additionally, you can gain insight into the stories and experiences of people who work in different fields and roles, getting a glimpse of their daily work and culture. Examples of online resources include CareerOneStop, O*NET Online, CareerExplorer, and The Muse. CareerOneStop offers comprehensive information on hundreds of careers, while O*NET Online has detailed descriptions of occupations based on standardized data and ratings. CareerExplorer provides career tests, guides, and profiles tailored to your personality, interests, and goals. The Muse features career advice, job listings, company profiles, stories and videos from professionals in different industries and functions.

3 Network with professionals

Networking is another effective way to learn about different careers. This can provide you with firsthand information, advice, and referrals that you may not find online or in books. To network with professionals, you can attend events, workshops, webinars, or conferences related to your career interests or goals. Additionally, joining online communities, groups, or forums where people share your interests or work in your desired field is an option. You can also reach out to existing contacts such as friends, family, colleagues, alumni, or mentors and ask for introductions or recommendations. Finally, informational interviews are informal conversations with professionals that can answer your questions and offer guidance.

4 Try out different roles

Gaining practical experience is one of the best ways to learn about different careers. This can help you test your assumptions, develop your skills, and evaluate your fit and satisfaction. You can try out different roles in various ways, such as volunteering for a cause that aligns with your interests or values, taking on a side project or freelance gig to showcase your skills, enrolling in a course or certification program to learn new ones, or applying for an internship to gain exposure to the work environment and culture of a specific field. Exploring your options can be an exciting and rewarding process that can help you shape your career path and reach your full potential. Follow these tips to make the most of the experience!

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?