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Project Career Research: how to set yourself up for success in choosing a new career

July 20, 2020

Launching a new career can be an exhilarating process, but also a complicated one. One of the most important steps is the first one—choosing which career to pursue. Whether you’re a college student getting ready to join the workforce for the first time, a mid-career professional looking to make a career switch, or someone returning to the workforce after time away, the challenge is the same—how do you know which career to pursue, and how do you get started?

This article is designed to help you explore potential careers in an analytical way. You’ll learn how to choose the career that’s right for you, and determine exactly what’s required to land your first job in your new chosen field. You’ll do this with a process called Project Career Research .

Project Career Research Overview

In Project Career Research you’ll speak with five professionals working in the career you’re exploring. This will help you develop a well-rounded overview of the field, and a plan for approaching different companies in your job search. 

The goal of Project Career Research is to answer three big questions.

Question #1: What is it really like to work as a [job title]?  

A particular career might sound exciting when you see it featured in a press article, or when you read the job description, or when you see the salaries highlighted on a hiring site. But if you’re going to actually work in the field, you need to understand the day-to-day realities of the role. Conversations with industry professionals can tell you what articles and career sites can’t—what it’s really like to have that job. 

What percentage of time do you spend in meetings, focusing on your own projects, writing emails, planning, etc? Who are the people you work with the most, and how do you interact with them? What skills and personality traits are required for success? What time of day do you usually eat lunch? What’s your stress level? Do you talk to lots of people every day, or are you on your own all the time? Do you collaborate often, or very rarely? How much freedom do you get to decide which projects you work on? How do promotions happen? 

These “real life” concerns can make the difference between loving a job, and just going through the motions. Talking with someone who is already in the field is a great way to understand the actual reality of life as a data scientist, a marketer, a social worker, or whatever role it is you choose to pursue.

Question #2: What skills do you actually need to succeed in this job?

Job descriptions can be very helpful, but they can also be very overwhelming. It’s unfortunately all too common for people to abandon pursuing a particular role, because they look at the long list of requirements in the description, and conclude they’re not qualified. The truth is, these sections are often just laundry lists of every single thing a hiring manager might wish to see in a candidate. They don’t necessarily reflect what’s actually required to succeed. Talking with people working in the field is an excellent way to learn what really does and doesn’t matter.

Questions #3: What do you need to land that job? 

There is a difference between being able to do the job, and being able to get the job. As an applicant, it’s your responsibility to prove that you’re qualified. So, it’s important to know what hiring managers are looking for from a candidate. Being credentialed for a particular skill can be very beneficial for some jobs, but not matter at all for others. Some jobs require that you have a portfolio of pre-existing work to show, while other jobs will ask you to complete a new task during your interview, and prioritize this above your portfolio. Some roles require very specific technical skills, while for others the ability to learn quickly and soft skills are much more important. Before you fully commit your time and energy to your job search, make sure you know exactly what it will take to get the job, so you’re ready when the opportunities come.

At this point, you may be wondering why you have to speak to real people—can’t this all be researched online? While there are many great online resources available, there is no substitute for the real insights and opinions that emerge in direct conversation with industry professionals. Take this step, and you’ll enter your job search well-prepared, and with confidence. Avoid it, and you risk everything from resume missteps and inadequate interview preparation to spending money on the wrong classes or training programs. As an added bonus, when you make contact with industry professionals, you’re expanding your network in your future field, which will be especially helpful once you begin the actual job search process.

How to find people to speak with

Your existing connections . An important first step is to consider your own existing network. This could be your LinkedIn network, other professional circles, or people in your shared community spaces—parent groups, civic groups, volunteer organizations, sports teams, and more. Is there someone you know who’s already in the field? Before you became interested in, say, mobile development as a possible career, you might not have consciously registered the fact that you actually already know a mobile developer! Auditing your own network is a great way to quickly discover people with whom you might be able to schedule an informational interview.

Professional groups. Search LinkedIn, Facebook, and Meetup for groups connecting professionals in your target field and reach out to individuals within those groups. Generally, you’ll find that people who are proactive enough to join professional groups are also the kinds of people who enjoy talking about their careers, and are eager to share their knowledge and their experience.

Here’s a task for you. Search professionals on LinkedIn by your target job title, and your geographic location. Review 100 profiles, and from there, choose 20 who feel most relevant to your career objectives. Reach out to all using the template below. If they respond, follow up right away with a thank-you note, and reiterate your interest in a conversation.

LinkedIn outreach template:

Hi <name>, I discovered your profile while researching digital marketing. Your experience at <company> is very interesting and I’d appreciate an opportunity to ask you a few questions, as I am exploring a career change from office management. Thank you in advance for connecting with me!

Tip #1: Make scheduling easy for the other person by suggesting a specific time to speak, and offer to work around their calendar.

Tip #2 : If they don’t reply, don’t take it personally. Just move on with your list.

Tip #3 : On LinkedIn you can only access profiles of people who are in your network (i.e.,  your 1st-degree, 2nd-degree, and 3rd-degree connections), as well as fellow members of your LinkedIn groups. You can expand your network by adding more 1st-degree connections and joining groups.

Preparing for your conversations

To make the most out of each conversation while being respectful of everyone’s time, do your research in advance, so you can ask valuable questions that only they can answer for you (as opposed to those you can get answers to through an online search). Not only does this help ensure a productive conversation, it demonstrates your respect and appreciation for the other person’s experience, and their generosity in taking the time to meet with you

I know you transitioned from teaching high school to a role as an instructional designer, and I’m trying to do the same. But also noticed that most people in similar roles tend to have formal training in instructional design. How were you able to get recruiters to notice you?

There are many ways to do research but you should always include:

• LinkedIn – review profiles of the person you are speaking with (and potentially their colleagues) to understand their backgrounds and experiences.
• Website of the company the person works for, to get a sense of everything from product catalogues to company culture.
• Industry associations and organizations – staying current with industry trends demonstrates your active engagement with your chosen field and its community, and helps to ensure your career questions are specific and relevant.

Tailoring your questions to be specific to each individual is essential, but it’s also important to prepare a set of core questions you can ask in every interview, in order to gather baseline information. For example:

• Can you describe a day in the life of a [role]?
• What are the on-the-job skills required to be successful in this role?
• Are there similar roles I should look into as well?
• How does someone with my background land a first job in the field?

During and after each conversation

Set the context for the meeting. Begin with an overview of why you reached out and what you are hoping to learn from the conversation. This enables the other person to focus on what’s relevant and will make them feel comfortable, as they’ll understand the goals. Remember: as the one who initiated the conversation, it’s your responsibility to establish both the tone and agenda. 

Introduce yourself. To ensure a productive conversation, it’s important that they understand who you are—this helps to establish context for your questions. Spend a couple of minutes in the beginning explaining why you reached out and what your goals are. Remember that while you are there to learn, this person might be able to connect you to a professional opportunity at some point. Be prepared to speak about your skills, accomplishments, and personal qualities that can bring value to an organization. You might not know how your experience transfers onto this new role but you should demonstrate passion and confidence that you can learn and grow quickly. Keep it short and focused.

Let them speak. Since you are there to learn, the primary focus of the conversation should be on the other person. Some people might be more talkative, while others may need more input from you in order to engage. Ideally, they should be speaking for 50% to 80% of the conversation. Don’t be afraid of short pauses, and be respectful and patient if they need time to gather their thoughts. 

Send a thank-you email. You have created a valuable connection, so stay in touch! A thank-you email is a great way to strengthen the connection by reiterating your appreciation for their time and following up on any action items that came out of the discussion. Also, be sure to think through ways you might return the favor, and, as appropriate, share resources, connections, or thoughts they might find valuable.

Wrapping up your project

Now that you have completed five conversations with professionals working in your target career, it’s time to go back to your main three questions and provide answers based on what you’ve learned.

Upon completing that step, you should have a clear sense of whether your target career is actually the one that you want to pursue. You should know if there are opportunities in your area, and you should have a good sense of what skills are required for the role. 

If all that is in place, then you’re ready to proceed!

Your next steps will involve addressing gaps related to job requirements (skills, credentials, degrees, experience) and building an optimal resume. We’ll cover those topics in future posts. Until then, good luck choosing a great career path, and we’ll look forward to seeing you on Coursera when you need to learn new skills!

About the author: Vera Fishman

Vera Fishman a Career Services Program Manager at Coursera and a career coach. Over the past 5+ years she coached hundreds of professionals from major Silicon Valley companies and ran workshops on every step of the job search process at Lee Hecht Harrison (resume writing, career discovery, interviewing – you name it!) and created an innovative job search curriculum at Udacity. Prior to becoming a coach Vera had a whole different career in marketing, and a shorter one in non-profit community management – so she is no stranger to career-changing herself.  A native of Saint Petersburg, Russia, Vera has spent her adult life in Silicon Valley, where she feels most at home and comfortable – aside from not liking to have to drive everywhere.

Keep reading

• How to answer interview questions with the STAR method
• Coursera Receives Industry-first Authorized Instructional Platform Designation from the American Council on Education
• How to answer “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” in interviews

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How to Conduct Career Research

Going Global

The wellesley hive, occupational outlook handbook, connecting to industry advisors.

Regardless of where you are in your career — whether you are unsure where to begin or you are preparing for a final round interview — conducting research can help you learn more about and prepare for potential career opportunities. There are many ways to gather information when you’re in the beginning stages of exploring your options, including career research and networking. Below you’ll find ideas and general resources to get started. Use the online resources to gain preliminary information about industries and job titles, then connect to professionals for conversations where you can ask questions and hear the details and realities of the paths that interest you. In addition, once you’ve narrowed your interests to a particular industry, refer to the industry-specific resources listed on the applicable Career Community page.

As you learn more about a particular career path, be sure to stop and reflect on what you have learned. Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I still interested in this career path?
• What excites me the most about this role/industry?
• What concerns do I have about this line of work?
• Can I see myself working in this environment?
• Does this path capitalize on my strengths?
• Does this path align with my values?
• What skills do I need to develop?
• What information am I still missing?

As you conduct your career research, we encourage you to make an appointment with your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE) to discuss your reflections, learnings and ideas further. These appointments will be helpful in identifying next sSETPH in terms of your research and exploration.

Going Global Going Global is the leading provider of both country-specific and USA city-specific career and employment information. It is a great resource for international students who are hoping to find opportunities within the United States and any student who is interested in working abroad. Learn about employment practices, workplace culture, and key industries of 40+ countries, and more!  

In May 2017, Career Education and the Wellesley College Alumnae Association launched The Wellesley Hive , a platform where current Wellesley students and alumnae can mentor, or be mentored. It is a  platform where you can ask questions and seek guidance, coach and inspire, and find paths to professional aspirations. Think of it as a digital space exclusively for Wellesley.

The Wellesley Hive is designed to be flexible, user-friendly, and interactive. Key features of the platform include the ability to:

• Search and connect with the Wellesley Network as a mentor, mentee, or both
• Customize involvement levels and fully manage your time commitment as a mentor
• Search for opportunities shared by fellow alumnae and Career Education
• Discover and post event listings, including networking mixers, career fairs, conferences, and more
• Join discussion groups to connect with others around shared career interests and identities
• Learn more about forming meaningful mentorship relationships through digital resources  

LinkedIn With over 350 million users across the globe, LinkedIn is a go-to resource for networking, and also a great tool for career research. Here are a few ways to use LinkedIn to explore career paths and options:

• Find and connect with professionals for informational interviews using the Wellesley College Alumnae pages or the “Find Alumni” tool offered by LinkedIn
• See where others with your major now work, and what types of jobs, experiences and education they’ve had
• Research companies using individual company pages
• Stay current of news and events using LinkedIn Pulse
• Participate in career-specific groups with others sharing your interest  

Using O*NET OnLine , you can find detailed descriptions for very specific job types in many different fields. You can browse different occupations by their outlook, by field, skills used, or jobs specific to STEM or in the Green Economy Sectors.  

The Occupational Outlook Handbook , published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, can help you find basic career information on duties, education and training, pay and outlook for hundreds of occupations. To get started, choose an Occupation Group to explore, then learn about common job functions within that interest area of field.  

Wellesley College provides you complete access to Vault.com , an online tool for career research and preparation. Vault provides in-depth knowledge and information on what it’s really like to work in certain industries and professions. You can also use Vault to research background information about companies, schools, and internships.

To start learning about various career fields based on your interests, select “Career Resources” from the top navigation and select “Industries” from the drop-down. For each industry, an extensive overview is provided, along with background on the industry, structure, and helpful resources and specific organizations to continue your specific learning and information gathering. At the bottom of each industry page, Vault will provide you with a list of related professions & companies.

Also under the “Career Resources” section, you can select “Professions.” In particular, if you are not sure where to begin, this is a good place to start. Select “Browse All Professions” which will allow you to search for professions based on your favorite subjects, areas of interest, and personality traits (among other search criteria).

As you get further along in your career research, you may sense your career interests begin to narrow. Particular industries may intrigue you more than others and even within a given industry, you may find yourself more excited by a certain niche area. As your interests become more clear, connecting with one of Wellesley College’s Industry-specific Career Advisors is a great way to further explore career options in these areas. Connecting with these advisors provides you with opportunities to:

• Familiarize yourself with career options and opportunities connected to your interest areas and how to prepare for them
• Look through job specific search engines and read through job descriptions to get ideas of what you might, or might not be interested in
• Attend on and off campus events to learn more about careers in this field
• Gain advice and knowledge from experts, alumnae and employers within this field
• Connect with and learn from professionals with careers you’re interested in through events, job shadows, informational interviews, and mentorship

Wellesley College’s industry clusters

• Business, Consulting,Finance, Marketing
• Education, Nonprofit, Human Services
• Government, International Affairs, Law
• Health Professions  
• Arts & Media
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Public Health

​ Not sure what Industry is right for you? Reach out to your Advisor for Career Exploration (ACE who will be able to help you learn more about your values, interests, personality, and skills and how they might overlap within these industries

Sign Up For Newsletters Finally, if you haven’t already, be sure to sign up to receive industry newsletters and information! To do this, log into Handshake , select “Career Interests,” and complete the brief survey.

For Teachers

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Career Research Projects for High School Students

Immersive projects are a great teaching tool to get students excited about a potential career path.

As a teacher or homeschooler of high school students, you know the importance of in-depth, hands-on instruction. The more your students see how to apply their career planning and exploration skills, the better. Check out these career research projects for high school students that you can use in your classroom immediately! You can head to our careers curriculum center for lesson plans and more materials you can use as well.

Career Research Projects – Essays and Written Products

Sometimes, the best approach is the simplest. These projects require students to research and type up essays or written reports.

• Career Research and Readiness Project: In this project , students take a personality assessment to see what kinds of careers they may enjoy. They research the job application and interview process, narrow their search to a few career choices, and then set SMART goals to help them achieve their dreams. 
• Career Research Project Paper: Students will like this project’s   simple, straightforward instructions and layout. The components are broken into manageable chunks, letting your high schoolers tackle the project in parts. By the end, they will produce a well-researched essay highlighting their career. 
• 3-Career Research Report: In this project , students choose three careers to focus on and create a written report. They learn MLA documentation, write business letters to organizations, take notes, and go through the formal writing process. This project has everything your students need to develop their career research reports with a rubric, parent letter, works cited page instructions, and more.
• STEM Careers Research Poster and Brochure: Students conduct comprehensive research in this project , using what they learn to create several items showing their knowledge. They research and learn about a specific career and make a posterboard presentation. Then they can create a brochure, present their findings to the class, and answer any questions that classmates and others may ask.
• Job Research Project: In this project , students first do research on any career they want. They must look up the various requirements, necessary skills, salary, and other details about the profession. They end with a thorough essay about their career, hopefully armed with the knowledge to help them in the future. The project is customizable to adapt to multiple grades, so your high school students will all benefit from the project. 

Career Research Projects – Digital Presentations

Fusing technology and research, these projects allow kids to show their knowledge through technology. Students create digital presentations and share them with the class using PowerPoint, Google Slides, and other formats.

• Career Research Project: This project works with many grades, and teachers can customize it to fit their students’ levels. They use PowerPoint to make a comprehensive slide show to demonstrate their knowledge. It breaks down career research into ten slides (you can add more as needed), and students will have a solid understanding of their future career path by the end of the assignment. 
• Career Presentation Project: In this project , high schoolers need to research career clusters, narrow their choices down to only one profession, and find many details about it. They look up median salary, entry-level pay, education requirements, required skills, and any additional benefits or perks that would attract potential applicants. They put all this information into a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation.
• Career and College Exploration Project: This project is broken down into clear and detailed descriptions for each slide of the presentation. It differs from other projects on the list because it weaves college research into the assignment, showing students the connection between education and careers. With 22 slides to complete, students will have an in-depth understanding of their chosen careers and how to navigate school and plan for future success.
• Career Exploration Project: This project is unique as it takes a realistic approach to career exploration, requiring students to find the pros and cons of three potential careers. They see that every job has perks and drawbacks, and part of pursuing a specific one comes down to their personal preference. The project includes a detailed outline, so students know precisely what to research and have on each slide of their digital presentation. Presenting their findings is a significant part of their grade, which helps strengthen their accountability, quality of work, and public speaking skills.
• Life Skills Career Research Project: This project is an excellent blend of hands-on production and digital skill-building, letting students show their findings in multiple formats. They research a career, finding things like education/training requirements, job responsibilities, drawbacks, benefits, opportunities for advancement, specific places of employment, and salaries. Students need to create a functional resume and attach it to the project. They use Google Drive to design poster components and can submit the project digitally or on a poster board.

Career Research: How To Research Career Paths

• 26th September 2023

Navigating the vast landscape of different career paths can often feel like a monumental task. While you may be interested in a particular position, other factors come into play, influencing whether it’s truly the right fit. Do you pursue a role based solely on passion, or should ideas of future growth, stability, and your ability to adapt also weigh in? The myriad of choices available can be both inspiring and daunting, and the decision-making process requires careful consideration. In this blog, we’ll delve deep into effective strategies for career research, ensuring you’re equipped with the knowledge to decide on a path that aligns perfectly with your aspirations and abilities. Dive in and let’s embark on this enlightening journey together.

Quick Links:

The basics of career research, the four main career paths, key areas to focus on in your career exploration, effective methods to gather information, overcoming challenges in career research, utilising uk specific resources, how to conduct career research faqs, highlights and key takeaways:.

• Identify your skills, interests, and values  using self-reflection, self-assessment tools, and career tests.
• Research the requirements and responsibilities  for different occupations and job titles using job descriptions and job adverts.
• Research different industries and companies  by gathering information from UK resources.

Delving into career research often begins with a step that many overlook: understanding oneself. It’s paramount to recognise your unique strengths, passions, and core values before exploring external opportunities. Only by aligning your personal attributes with potential career pathways can you find genuine satisfaction and success.

Understanding and identifying your skills, interests, and values:

• Skills:  Recognise your competencies and proficiencies. What can you do better than most? Perhaps it’s your analytical mind, your leadership qualities, or your knack for communicating. Pinpointing these skills can help guide your career choices.
• Interests:  Reflect on activities or subjects that captivate you. Are you intrigued by technological advancements? Or perhaps the intricacies of human psychology? Matching your career to your interests can lead to a more fulfilling work experience.
• Values:  Determine what matters most to you. Is it work-life balance? Making a societal impact? Being challenged daily? Your values should serve as a compass, ensuring your career aligns with your broader life goals.

Self-assessment tools and career tests can provide an objective analysis of your skills, interests, and values. They often use scientifically-backed methodologies to suggest potential careers that resonate with your profile.

UK self-assessment tools and career tests:

• Prospects Career Planner:  This tool matches your skills and motivations to job profiles, offering a detailed insight into potential career paths.
• National Careers Service Skills Assessment:  A government-backed platform, it helps identify your strengths and suggests careers suited to your skills.
• Morrisby Profile:  A comprehensive assessment that covers aptitudes, personality, and interests, guiding individuals to suitable professions and educational paths.
• Team Technology’s Myers-Briggs Test:  Based on the MBTI framework, it provides insights into your personality type and potential careers that align.
• Career Test from 123test:  This free online test evaluates your career interests and then lists matching professions.

In essence, while introspection plays a vital role in career research, leveraging structured self-assessment tools can offer a clearer direction. They bridge the gap between your intrinsic qualities and the vast world of professional opportunities, guiding you towards a fulfilling career options in the UK landscape.

Navigating the professional landscape requires a deep understanding of the primary career trajectories available. Recognising these paths can be helpful in making informed decisions and aligning personal aspirations with professional long-term goals. Here’s a closer look at the four main career paths:

1. Linear Career Path:

• Definition:  A progression upwards in a specific field or department, often following a clear and structured route.
• Characteristics:  Steady advancement through increasing levels of responsibility and authority. Generally remaining within a single industry or domain. Rewards often include higher pay, more influence, and leadership roles.
• Example:  Starting as a Junior Accountant and progressing to Senior Accountant, Finance Manager, Finance Director, and eventually CFO.

2. Expert Career Path:

• Definition:  Focusing on mastering a specific skill or specialisation without necessarily moving into traditional leadership roles.
• Characteristics:  Deepening expertise in a particular area, becoming recognised as a subject-matter expert or thought leader. Potential for consultative roles, training, or authoring publications.
• Examples:  A Software Developer mastering a niche programming language and becoming the go-to expert, or a Scientist leading research in a specialised field.

3. Spiral Career Path:

• Definition:  Rotating through different roles or departments but within related fields, thus gathering a broad range of skills and experiences.
• Characteristics:  Diverse experiences within interconnected roles, making regular shifts every few years to acquire new competencies. Building a holistic understanding of an organisation or industry.
• Examples:  An individual working in marketing, moving to sales, and then transitioning into business development – all within the tech sector.

4. Transitory Career Path:

• Definition:  Frequently changing roles, often in unrelated fields, driven by evolving interests or external factors.
• Characteristics:  High adaptability and versatility, embracing change and new learning opportunities. Potentially driven by market demands, personal interests, or life circumstances.
• Example:  A Teacher transitioning to become a Travel Blogger, and later establishing a start-up in sustainable tourism.

Embarking on a career exploration journey can seem daunting with a multitude of factors to consider. Yet, by zeroing in on specific key areas, you can streamline your research and make informed decisions. Here’s a breakdown of the crucial areas to focus on:

1. Job Roles and Responsibilities:

• Why it’s important:  Understanding the day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and overarching objectives of a job helps you gauge whether it aligns with your skills and interests.
• What to consider:  Routine tasks and activities associated with the role, expected outcomes and long-term projects, team collaborations and individual responsibilities, and challenges and aspects that bring job satisfaction. For further information, read –  What Are Job Responsibilities?

2. Industry Trends and Growth:

• Why it’s important:  Assessing the trajectory of an industry helps you determine its future relevance and your potential growth within it.
• What to consider:  Emerging trends that could reshape the industry, technological advancements and their impacts, economic factors and market demands influencing the sector, and industry growth rate and projections for the coming years.

3. Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Why it’s important:  Identifying necessary qualifications ensures you’re adequately prepared for the role and can also highlight areas where you might need further training or education.
• What to consider:  Formal education requirements and desired degrees or certifications, soft skills, like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, technical or hard skills specific to the job, and continuous learning opportunities and professional development courses. For further information, read –  What Are Job Requirements?

In essence, career exploration is not merely about finding a job but about discovering a vocation that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations. By focusing on these key areas, you can unravel the complexities of the job market, paving the way for a fulfilling and dynamic career path.

You can start researching job roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills  by exploring the  job description template  or  job advert template  for a specific job title. You can explore  job descriptions  for hundreds of job titles in the business sectors below to find out if a specific role is a good fit for you:

• Accounting key job responsibilities
• Agriculture key job responsibilities
• Analyst key job responsibilities
• Armed forces key job responsibilities
• Arts key job responsibilities
• Automotive key job responsibilities
• Banking and insurance key job responsibilities
• Bar and restaurant key job responsibilities
• Charity worker key job responsibilities
• Construction worker key job responsibilities
• Customer service key job responsibilities
• Education key job responsibilities
• Engineering key job responsibilities
• Facilities management key job responsibilities
• Finance key job responsibilities
• Healthcare worker key job responsibilities
• Hospitality and leisure key job responsibilities
• Human Resources key job responsibilities
• Information technology key job responsibilities
• Leadership key job responsibilities
• Legal key job responsibilities
• Management key job responsibilities
• Manufacturing key job responsibilities
• Marketing key job responsibilities
• Media key job responsibilities
• Nurse key job responsibilities
• Office administration key job responsibilities
• Personal care key job responsibilities
• Professional service key job responsibilities
• Project manager key job responsibilities
• Public sector key job responsibilities
• Religious worker key job responsibilities
• Retail key job responsibilities
• Sales key job responsibilities
• Science key job responsibilities
• Social care key job responsibilities
• Teacher key job responsibilities
• Telecommunications key job responsibilities
• Transportation and logistics key job responsibilities

In the quest for a rewarding career, the quality of information you acquire can make all the difference. It’s pivotal to tap into diverse sources and employ a range of strategies. Here are some tried-and-tested methods to gather insightful details about potential career paths:

1. Online Research:

• Websites and Online Platforms:  When conducting research, delve into websites like  Glassdoor  and  LinkedIn  to explore company reviews, role descriptions, and networking opportunities.
• Industry Publications:  Subscribe to or visit sites of major publications relevant to your field for news, insights, and trends.
• Webinars and Online Workshops:  Engage in virtual events to gain firsthand knowledge and potentially interact with industry professionals.

2. Networking:

• Industry Conferences and Seminars:  Attending these networking events not only deepens your knowledge but also expands your professional connections.
• Professional Associations or Groups:  Joining bodies related to your desired career can offer a plethora of resources, from training to networking opportunities.
• Alumni Networks:  Your alma mater can be a goldmine of contacts, often willing to offer guidance or share their experiences.

3. Hands-on Experience:

• Internships:  Immersing yourself in a role, even temporarily, can provide an authentic taste of a job, the work environment, and its daily demands. It is also a superb way to engage with potential employers.
• Job Shadowing or Volunteering:  Spend a day or more observing a professional in your desired field, allowing you to see the intricacies of their daily tasks.
• Freelancing or Part-time Roles:  These offer flexible ways to experience a job firsthand, allowing you to assess its suitability without a long-term commitment.

4. Consultation and Formal Advice:

• Career Counsellors:  Experts in career planning can provide personalised guidance, drawing on their vast experience and knowledge.
• Informational Interviews:  Arrange conversations with professionals in your area of interest, asking them about their experiences, challenges, and recommendations.
• Mentorship:  Building a relationship with a mentor in your desired industry can offer ongoing advice, guidance, and support.

5. Educational Institutions:

• University Career Centres:  These often provide resources, counselling, and events (such as career fairs) geared towards helping students and alumni make informed career choices.
• Vocational and Training Centres:  Ideal for those looking into more hands-on career opportunities, these centres offer practical insights and training in specific fields.

Navigating the world of career research can sometimes feel akin to treading uncharted waters, filled with obstacles and uncertainties. While challenges are a natural part of the process, understanding and addressing them can significantly ease your journey. Here’s a guide to  6 common career research challenges and strategies to overcome them :

1. Information Overload:

• The Challenge:  In today’s digital age, there’s an abundance of data available, which can be overwhelming.
• The Solution:  Prioritise quality over quantity and seek out reputable sources. Set clear objectives for your research to stay focused, take breaks, and organise your findings periodically.

2. Lack of Clarity on Personal Goals:

• The Challenge:  Not having a clear idea about your own interests, values, and aspirations.
• The Solution:  Dedicate time for introspection and reflect on your passions, strengths, and long-term objectives. Consider taking self-assessment tests or seeking career counselling.

3. Evolving Industry Trends:

• The Challenge:  Rapid changes in industries can make it hard to predict long-term prospects.
• The Solution:  Stay updated with regular industry news and reports. Embrace adaptability and a willingness to evolve with your chosen industry.

4. Negative Feedback or Discouragement:

• The Challenge:  Facing discouragement, whether from personal networks or during informational interviews.
• The Solution:  Cultivate resilience and a growth mindset by seeking out positive role models or success stories in your desired field. Remember, every professional journey has its setbacks.

5. Fear of Making the Wrong Choice:

• The Challenge:  The weight of deciding your future and setting career goals can be paralysing.
• The Solution:  Understand that career paths are often non-linear. Mistakes can lead to unexpected opportunities, so approach decisions with a balance of intuition and research-based insights. Remember, you can always reassess and pivot if a choice doesn’t align with your evolving goals.

6. Financial Constraints:

• The Challenge:  Certain career options might require financial investments, like further education or training.
• The Solution:  Research scholarships, grants, or financial aid options. Consider part-time jobs or internships to support yourself while exploring or training. Seek advice from those who’ve navigated similar financial challenges in their career journeys.

When embarking on a journey of career research, it’s imperative to harness resources tailored for the UK market. Not only will these give you a more accurate picture of your desired career path, but they also ensure that your knowledge is in line with local trends, demands, and legalities. Below are  4 UK specific resources for researching potential career paths :

1. UK-based Career Research Platforms and Job Boards:

The digital age offers a myriad of platforms designed to aid career research. In the UK, platforms like  Reed ,  Totaljobs , and  Indeed  are instrumental in providing insights into various professions, company reviews, and current job openings. These platforms often cater to a wide range of sectors, ensuring that whether you’re looking into finance, technology, healthcare, or arts, there’s a wealth of information available.

2. Academic and Professional Institutions:

Consider consulting UK institutions such as universities, vocational schools, and professional organisations related to your field. They often have career services, workshops, and webinars that provide a deep dive into different professions and the skills required.

3. Staying Updated with UK Industry News and Employment Laws:

A well-informed career decision also requires knowledge about the broader industry landscape. UK-centric publications like The Financial Times or The Guardian’s Business section can be excellent sources for this. Additionally, staying updated with employment laws ensures that you’re aware of your rights, expected work conditions, and any new regulations that might affect your profession.

4. Specialised Blogs and Resources:

While general platforms are beneficial, niche blogs and resources can provide specialised insights:

• Hiring People Blog :  An excellent destination for those on the job hunt. This blog offers invaluable articles such as  I Can’t Find A Job (What Can I Do?) ,  How Do I Get My First Job? – A UK Guide ,  What Job Should I Do? , How Do I Know What Job Is Right For Me? , and understanding the nuances of the UK job market.
• Check-A-Salary Blog :  When determining a career path, understanding potential earnings is crucial. Check-A-Salary not only offers comprehensive  average salary guides  but also provides  career advice ,  job search , and handy  CV templates  to give your applications an edge.

In conclusion, while international resources can provide a broad overview, leveraging UK-specific tools and platforms ensures a more tailored and accurate understanding of your chosen career path in the local context. Whether it’s through  job boards , academic institutions, or dedicated blogs, the UK offers a plethora of resources to guide you on your career journey.

Next, we answer any remaining questions you may have on researching different career paths:

HOW DO I RESEARCH MY CAREER PATH?

To research your career path, start by identifying your skills, interests, and values. Delve into online resources like job boards, company websites, and career advisory platforms. Seek advice from professionals in your desired field, and consider obtaining additional qualifications or training if required. 

The four types of career paths are 1. Linear Career Path – progressing upwards in a specific field or department. 2. Expert Career Path – mastering a specific skill or specialisation. 3. Spiral Career Path – rotating through different roles or departments but within related fields. 4. Transitory Career Path – frequently changing roles, often in unrelated fields. 

During your career exploration, focus on: 1. Job roles and responsibilities – to understand daily tasks and long-term objectives. 2. Industry trends and growth – to gauge the future demand and stability of a profession. 3. Required qualifications and skills – to identify any training or education needed. 

Gathering information about a career involves a combination of online research, networking, and hands-on experience. This includes reading industry publications, joining relevant associations or groups, attending workshops or seminars, and speaking with professionals in the desired field. Internships and job shadowing are also invaluable for gaining firsthand insights. 

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Your Assignment & Rubric for Grading

Guidelines for Career Research Project  ​ - This is your guide to what goes into the project. Follow it closely to ensure you include all requirements in your final project. You may also use the NoodleTools Links  in this guide ( at left ) to take notes, generate in-text citations, and create a list of your sources cited in MLA style ( see guide at bottom right on this page ). Please use NoodleTools to properly cite all images, database articles, websites, personal interviews, etc. Essentially, anything that is not your own words, thoughts or work must be cited whether you use direct quotes or paraphrase. 

Rubric for Career Research Project   - Periodically revisit the rubric to ensure you are meeting the highest standards for your research, writing, documentation of sources, mechanics and formatting. 

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How to Avoid Plagiarism LibGuide

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, to "plagiarize" means:

• to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own
• to use (another's production) without crediting the source
• to commit literary theft
• to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward.

Source:  P.org  sponsored by  Turnitin

The librarian is always happy to help you!

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Citation Helper LibGuide: MLA, APA & Chicago  - This guide includes information about citing your sources, including MLA, APA and Chicago / Turabian citation styles.

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Find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on your goals and needs. Then use comprehensive reports to learn about requirements, characteristics, and available opportunities for your selected occupation.

Take advantage of the customized OnLine Help feature available throughout the site. Or, use the available Desk Aid .

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Bright Outlook occupations are expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, will have large numbers of job openings, or are new and emerging occupations.

Career Clusters contain occupations in the same field of work that require similar skills. They can be used to focus education plans towards obtaining the necessary knowledge, competencies, and training for success in a particular career pathway.

Hot technologies are software and technology skills frequently included in employer job postings.

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Industries are broad groups of businesses or organizations with similar activities, products, or services. Occupations are included based on the percentage of workers employed in that industry.

Job Families are groups of occupations based on work performed, skills, education, training, and credentials.

Job Zones group occupations into one of five categories based on levels of education, experience, and training necessary to perform the occupation.

Occupations are listed that require education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

There are 1,016 occupation titles and codes within the current O*NET system.

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Use your job duties to find occupations that perform similar work. The search uses the O*NET database of over 19,000 occupation-specific task statements.

Professional associations are a great source of additional information on jobs, specialties, and industries. They also serve as an excellent starting point for networking in your career of choice. Get seamless access to professional associations by searching the O*NET database of almost 3,000 organizations related to the occupations in the U.S. economy.

Use activities performed across different types of jobs to find occupations. The search uses the O*NET database of over 2,000 detailed work activities performed across a small to moderate number of occupations.

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STEM Career Research Project for Middle School

• December 18, 2022
• Engineering , STEM
• Career Exploration , Engaging Lessons , Real World Connections

How do you inspire future scientists and engineers? Do your students know what careers are STEM careers and what it means to have a career in STEM? You can answer these questions and more with this multi-day STEM career project !

STEM Career Research Project

In this project, students will choose an engineering career to research. They will discover the job roles and responsibilities, possible work environments, education requirements, average salaries, helpful skills and traits, and projected job growth in that field. Then students will imagine a company that is looking to hire a person in that career field. They’ll examine real-world job postings and then design and create a “help wanted” poster for their chosen career. Next, students will present their work and learn about other careers in a gallery walk activity. Finally, they’ll complete an independent reflection activity.

This STEM career research project is independent and low-prep. Grab this resource today! You will save your prep time, and know your students will be engaged and inspired while learning about STEM careers.

What’s included in the STEM Careers Research Project?

This no-prep project includes everything you need for 3-5 days of engaging STEM activities, including: 

• Printable PDF, Google, and Easel versions of the student activities and worksheets
• A webquest that guides students to choose and research a STEM career
• Detailed guidelines and  templates for the “Help Wanted” job advertisement project
• A graphic organizer for capturing student learning during the Gallery Walk activity
• An independent reflection worksheet to be completed at the end of the project
• Embedded links to quality background research websites
• Detailed teacher notes for easy facilitation
• An easy-to-use grading rubric

What materials do you need?

You only need to provide printed or digital copies of the student worksheets and devices with internet access for research. 

How can you use the STEM career project in your classroom?

You can use the research project as a week-long study of STEM careers. You will open your students’ eyes to career options that they may have never before considered. This is a great introductory activity for your STEM class, and it can be used to celebrate National Engineering Week in February.

This STEM career project is also perfect for giving yourself a bit of a break when you are feeling burnt out or feeling frustrated with challenging student behaviors. For example, you could use the project to keep students engaged before a school holiday. You can also use the project to keep students learning when you have unusual schedules or low attendance due to field trips, testing, assemblies, or other interruptions. Or, you can leave the low-prep project as a multi-day STEM sub plan.

Looking for other STEM Career activities?

If you’d like more ideas for inspiring your students and teaching them about STEM careers, check out this blog post on exploring STEM careers !

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How to Plan an Art Career Research Unit

Teaching your students about art careers is exciting. From discussions to hands-on exploration, there are many ways to accomplish the goal.

One effective way to expose students to art careers is through research. The ability to research is an important life skill and something they can hone in the art room. Letting your students research different art careers will give them a broad sense of the possibilities.

Here are 5 Steps to Plan Your Own Art Career Research Unit

This unit takes students from researching to creating to presenting. It’s an exciting way for them to get to know about many different art careers in a short period of time.

1. Introduce Art Careers

Begin this unit by introducing a variety of art careers to your students. Be sure to include popular, well-known options alongside more obscure choices.

Here is a list of art careers you could share.

Or, check out a complete list of sixty choices here !

• Illustrator
• App Designer
• Photographer
• Tattoo Artist
• Special Effects Makeup Artist
• Art Therapist
• Art Director
• Video Game Designer
• Art Historian
• Costume Designer
• Digital Illustrator

You can introduce these using a slide presentation, class discussion, handout, or another method.

2. Begin Research

After your introduction, it is time for students to begin to dive deep and start their own research. Students can look into art careers you shared or search for their own. Give your students books and access to technology to help them gather more information. If you haven’t already, this is the time to talk about plagiarism and the importance of citing sources.

At this time, think about whether you will let students work in pairs or groups. This unit can easily accommodate collaborative learning.

A handout is an effective way to help guide students through the research phase. This is especially important for students who are new to research.

You can develop your own or use the one below !

Download Now

3. Plan Projects

Next, students must decide how they are going to present what they learned to the class. Creating a thorough plan will help them have a solid foundation for their project.

Allowing choice is important. Doing so will create more buy-in. Two options for projects include creating a slide presentation or creating an original piece of art, like a drawing or a sculpture. Whatever options you decide to include, make sure you spell out the exact requirements for each. Here are a few examples.

Slide Presentation Requirements

• Share why this career interests you.
• Include 5-6 images of work that comes from your chosen career. Make sure to include a link to the original source for each.
• Share 4-5 facts about one famous/notable person in the field.
• Share one new thing you learned about this career.

Original Art Requirements

• Create an original piece of work that exemplifies the art career you researched.
• Share why this career interests you.
• Share three facts about the career.
• Share one famous/notable person in the field.

4. Create Work

At this point, your students have done their research and made a plan. Now, give them the resources they need in order to create their presentations and make original art. During this time, make sure you are circulating the classroom to help facilitate learning.

After their work is complete, students are ready to share. This is where all the hard work comes together. As their classmates present, students are able to learn about a variety of art careers.

Creating a Dynamic Hallway Display

It’s always a good idea to share what happens in your classroom. However, figuring out how to display a presentation can be difficult. One way to overcome this is by using QR codes. Take a photo of each student or group of students as they present.

For students who created original art, hang the photo next to the finished piece. For students who created slide presentations, hang the photo next to a QR code that links to the presentation. This way, your viewers will be able to see all the work created in your class!

Overall, this unit is a great way to give your students research experience, to explore technology, and to learn more about art careers.

How do you expose your students to art careers?

What type of research opportunities do you give your students?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Wynita Harmon

Wynita Harmon is AOEU’s Chair of Faculty Development and a former AOEU Writer and elementary school art educator.

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Your Career Doesn’t Need to Have a Purpose

• Stephen Friedman

Focus on making your work meaningful instead.

Outside of popular anecdotes and social media stories, there is little evidence that a single, defined “purpose” is necessary for a rewarding career. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. It’s surprisingly common to go after what we think is our purpose only to discover that we hate it. Instead, shift your focus from “purpose” to “meaning.” Ask yourself:

• What do I like, prefer, or enjoy doing? Let go of yearning for a career purpose. Dial it back and consider what you liked about any of your previous jobs, school projects or other ways you spend your time. Perhaps you liked helping your peers organize their work or enjoyed researching sources for group projects. Or maybe you liked working on a team than alone. Use that as a starting point. 
• What am I good at? Early on in your career, you will have many bourgeoning skills. These are skills that you are good at now and can get even better at with more practice. Think about stuff you are progressively getting better at. Getting to use and improve skills that you’re already good will energize you, and provide you with a feeling of recognition and usefulness.
• Would this role provide growth and learning that I can use later? Research shows that what scholars call “ability development” (i.e. getting better at what you do) brings with it greater happiness, satisfaction, and meaning.

As an organizational studies professor at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Canada, I get the opportunity to help my students with various aspects of their career development. In the process, I’ve noticed two common threads. First, most of my students are not only eager to enter the world of work, but also to be excellent at what they do. Second, they want their post-graduation job to be loaded with purpose .

• Stephen Friedman is an Adjunct Professor of Organizational Studies and a Senior Faculty of Executive Education, at The Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto. He teaches and writes about leadership development, organizational behavior, complexity science, career development, human resource management, workplace inclusion, and mental health.

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