Career Exploration

GEAR UP Iowa promotes college and career exploration. As you discover a path to your future, GEAR UP Iowa helps you explore your options by providing career-centered activities. Schools are encouraged to offer hands-on experiences to students such as business tours, job shadowing and career fairs. Use these opportunities to help develop an academic plan that aligns with your future career goals.

FINDING THE CAREER THAT BEST FITS YOU

After you have thought about the subjects and activities that interest you most, research possible careers that will put those interests to use.

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF

College and career planning websites are great resources to help you discover possibilities and learn how you can match your interests and abilities with a promising career.

RESEARCH CAREERS

There are hundreds of career options to match each type of skill, many requiring more than one skill to succeed. The following resources can help you learn more about the different careers and the skills required as well as discover the fastest-growing fields that offer competitive salaries:

• http://www.IowaWorks.org — Iowa Workforce Development statewide job system
• www.onetonline.org — O*NET Occupational Information Network
• http://www.BLS.gov/ooh — Occupational Outlook Handbook
• http://www.BLS.gov/careeroutlook — Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Outlook

GET EXPERIENCE

First-hand experience is the best way to find out if you will really enjoy a career field. Start by talking to people in careers that interest you. Job shadowing opportunities allow you to follow a professional on the job and help you experience the types of work and tasks required for that career.