Career Exploration

Career Assessment and Research

Allison Mackley - 2009

The Big6 Research Process

Task Definition – Define the research task and information that is needed

Develop an expository research paper to provide information about a career that is of interest to you.

The Big6 Research Process

Information Seeking Strategies – determine possible sources and select the best sources

Internet Site Book – reference or non-fiction Database Interview Periodical

Visit the HHS Library webpage and click on the “Research Pathfinder” link. Choose “Career and Colleges.”

Research Pathfinder link

The Big6 Research Process

Location and Access – Locate sources and find information in the sources

Education Planner

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Career and Occupation Reference/Non-fiction Books

Choose the “Education Planner” link under the “Career Inventories” category of the Pathfinder (bottom of page). Click “Your top career choices.”

Career Assessment Tools to Help You Choose a Career

Choose “Take the Career Key Assessment” link to begin.

Take the Career Key Assessment

Search a Particular Career

Make career choices based on your interests.

Make career choices based on your abilities, your view of yourself and your values.

Click on the link with one of the highest scores. Explore by choosing a link with a low score to see what careers might not suit your personality.

Results are categorized based on personality type.

Higher scores indicate similarity to characteristics of that personality type.

Choose careers based on the recommendations. Click on a career link or add to “My List.”

Add to “My List” to explore later.

As you explore career choices, you can add certain careers to your own list.

My List

The Big6 Research Process

Use of Information – Read, take notes on relevant information, and cite resources

Cornell Note-takingMLA Bibliographic CitationsInternal Citations

Cornell Note-takingLibrary Research – Cornell Note-Taking

After you have chosen your topic to research, you will use this research form to outline pertinent information from your source. You may also use this form to take notes during a lecture.

Verification of your research is necessary in the form of a bibliographic citation of the source you have used.

Bibliographic Citation in correct form:

Notes from Source: (Remember, if you write the exact words of another person, you must use quotation marks to give credit.)

Main Ideas Details (with page numbers, if available)

Reflection of Research/Reading: How did this information help you understand the topic better/differently than before? How does this information connect to what you already know? What questions do you still have?

Cornell Note-taking: Strategies Main Ideas Details (with page numbers, if available)

Types of Main Ideas

Text Features

What strategies might help me take notes?

Categories Topics Questions Vocabulary

bold, underlined, or italicized words information in boxes or with an icon/symbol headers/sub-headers on the page information the book or teacher repeats words, ideas, or events that you might need to remember quotations, examples or details you might use later

Abbreviate familiar words/use symbols Take noted in bullets and indents – not formal outlines Cut unnecessary words Use telegraphic sentences: “Cola wars begin 6/88”

Reflection of Research/Reading: How did this information help you understand the topic better/differently than before? How does this information connect to what you already know? What questions do you still have?

Explain how this information will be important and/or significant in meeting your research goal(s).

Make connections between the research and what you already know and/or what you are studying.

Include questions that you still need to answer.

Adapted from Tools for Thought by Jim Burke

Read the description of your career choice, and click on tabs for additional information.

Tabs with additional information

Experience Skills Knowledge Abilities

Interests Activities Salary

Compare the salary between the United States and a particular state.

Pennsylvania

Another reliable resource is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook

Search Your Career

Explore several categories of information about the career.

bibliographic citation

categories

The Big6 Research Process

Synthesis – Organize the information Essay with introduction, body

paragraphs and conclusionWell-developed supporting detailsSubtle transitions within and between

paragraphsInternal citations and works cited

Evaluation – Judge your product and your research process