Name:

Project #2 Career Research

Gathering information is a
critical step in making an
effective career decision.
Considering all the
knowledge you now
possess about yourself
and possible careers,
narrow your list to a few
careers you would like to
explore further. Use the
resources in the toolkit to
complete this exercise.
Do not limit yourself to
the information
requested. Add
information if it is helpful
to you.

The goal of this exercise is

for you to take time to
explore careers in depth
and add this “career
knowledge” to your “self-
knowledge” to further
your career journey. Ask
yourself, “Can I really see
myself in this career?”
“Would I be passionate
aboutsystem
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities my career or would
is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
it just be a ‘job’?” If 2015
Jennifer Parta Arno,

applicable, how does your

military experience fit into
these careers?

There are many helpful

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
Jennifer Parta Arno, 2015
 Career Research Worksheet
Career Title:
Provide a brief description of the job.
Include the nature of the work,
environment, responsibilities,
average work week, etc.
Describe key skills, abilities, and
personality traits important for this
career.
What is the average or median salary
range for this career both nationally
and locally?
What is the outlook for the future of
this career? Does research show
growth or decline in hiring?
Describe the education and training
required for this position. Are there
any licenses or certifications
required?
What is your overall impression of
this occupation?
After learning more about this career,
are you still interested? Would this
career fit with the lifestyle you want?
Does it match your interests,
personality, skills and work values?
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
Author/Novelist
(It depends on the type of Author) They write longs stories. They
need to be able to execute and plan their work and it requires
patience and dedication. Their work environment is anywhere really.
It depends on where the author writes best. Usually, it's at home.
Skills and abilities: They have to be able to communicate, know how
to problem solve and be creative. They need to be somewhat
organized. They have to be able to edit.
Personality traits:
National: $62,820
Local: About $43K
It's really hard to say. I found many things that said that because
of E-Books it's going to be harder to be a author, but I also saw
many things that being an author would be a great idea.
A Bachelor's Degree is typically needed for a full-time job as a
writer. Specifically an English degree.
Pros: I love writing stories, so I would be doing what I love. When I
have kids, I would be there for them all the time since authors work
from home. I would get to be creative and plan out stories.
Cons: Writer's block would be a huge problem. Also, it isn't a for
sure job, which means it depends on if any publication places will
take my stories.
☐ Still Interested ☐ Not Interested (skip question below)
This career is a good match for me because: I love writing. It's
somethings that I enjoy doing. I get to be creative and sometimes
people are too much for me so I would get to be away from people
jhhohhhfsometimes.
Jennifer Parta Arno, 2015
List two occupations that are similar Similar careers:
that you may be interested in
1. Journalist
researching.
2. Script Writer

Career Research Worksheet

Career Title: English Teacher

Provide a brief description of the job.
Include the nature of the work,
environment, responsibilities,
average work week, etc.
Describe key skills, abilities, and
personality traits important for this
career.
English teachers teach grammar, reading comprehension and
more to help students understand books. They work in a
classroom with many students that they have to teach. They are
responsible for making sure that the students know what they
have to so the students can pass their class and graduate.
Skills and abilities: They need to be able to teach. They also need to
know grammar and reading comprehension. They need to be
organized and have problem solving skills. They also need to be
able to communicate.

Personality traits: Strong Work Ethic, Friendly

What is the average or median salary National: $41,376

range for this career both nationally
and locally? Local:
Local: $45,861
There has been rising student enrollment, which means that there
What is the outlook for the future of has been a higher demand for teachers.
this career? Does research show
growth or decline in hiring?

Describe the education and training

required for this position. Are there
any licenses or certifications
required?
They need a bachelor's degree in
Teaching and English. Also they
need a teaching licence.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
Jennifer Parta Arno, 2015
What is your overall impression of Pros: I'd get to teach young minds about my favorite subject. I could
this occupation? maybe even inspire a student to do something amazing.

After learning more about this career,
are you still interested? Would this
career fit with the lifestyle you want?
Does it match your interests,
personality, skills and work values?
Cons: I'd have to deal with parents that think there kids are entitled.
I'd have to deal with entitled kids. I'd also won't be able to do
anything if a child was being abused.
I honestly don't know if I am still interested in this career. I would love to
be a teacher and teach students, it's just I don't know how I would be able
to deal with not being able to do anything about a student being abused.
☐ Still Interested ☐ Not Interested (skip question below)
This career is a good match for me because:

List two occupations that are similar Similar careers:

that you may be interested in
1. Librarian
researching.
2. College/University Academic Advisor

Career Research Worksheet

Career Title: Receptionist

Provide a brief description of the job.

Include the nature of the work,
environment, responsibilities,
average work week, etc.

Provide a brief description of the

job. Include the nature of the
work, environment,
responsibilities, average work
week, etc.
They welcome visitors, answer
the telephone and direct visitors
by giving them instructions.
They maintain security and
logbooks. They give out visitor
badges if they have to. They
typical work in a business. They
have to deal with people a lot.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
Jennifer Parta Arno, 2015
Describe key skills, abilities, and Skills and abilities: They have to have people skills and
personality traits important for this communication skills. They have to be able to use telephones and
career. computers.

Personality traits: They have to be friendly.

What is the average or median salary National: $29,640

range for this career both nationally
and locally? Local: $30,504

What is the outlook for the future of The need is growing at about the same rate as other jobs.
this career? Does research show
growth or decline in hiring?

Describe the education and training They need a high school diploma or something equivalent. They
required for this position. Are there will have short-term on-the-job training.
any licenses or certifications
required?

What is your overall impression of Pros: It would be almost the same thing everyday. It would be a
this occupation? steady job as long as I do everything correctly.

Cons: I would have to worry about people cussing me out, but I

guess that wouldn't be that bad.

After learning more about this career, ☐ Still Interested ☐ Not Interested (skip question below)
are you still interested? Would this
This career is a good match for me because: I am a pretty friendly
career fit with the lifestyle you want?
person and it matches well with my work values.
Does it match your interests,
personality, skills and work values?

List two occupations that are similar Similar careers:

that you may be interested in
1. Secretary
researching.
2. Customer Service Representative

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is an Equal Opportunity employer and educator. www.mnscu.edu
Jennifer Parta Arno, 2015