Doing Homework on a Career Puts You Ahead of the Game

No one has to tell you jobs are scarce, and will continue to be for a long time.

So middle or senior high school is not too early to start preparing yourself for the job market that will exist when it’s your turn to jump in.

Consider some ways you can use school and community resources to investigate an occupation, and then get the required education and training.

First, keep your pursuit organized by using a file folder. Buy one, or ask a teacher for an extra, and use it to collect all phone numbers, brochures and other research.

Begin your hunt for the right job and its requirements at your career counselor’s office. There, you’ll most likely find pamphlets, videos and other materials offering such general information as pay, responsibilities and education on a range of careers.

Explore fields related to your ideal job, and ask the career counselor about any relevant internships, field trips or guest speakers. Check the classified section of the newspaper, too. It gives you information on pay scales, what types of employees are in demand, and the names and phone numbers of companies you may want to contact when you’re ready to work.

The best community resource is, I think, a professional in the occupation you’re interested in. After all, the best way to learn about a job is to talk to someone who’s actually doing the work.

Ask professionals about their training, education, daily routine, favorite and least favorite aspects of the job, and how they would prepare if they had to start over.

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Such a mentor can change your life. As a high school sophomore, I wrote to my favorite news reporter at the local NBC-TV affiliate. I asked which courses I should take in high school and college in order to follow in her footsteps.

Little did I know that my short letter would lead to four years of interning, then producing in that TV newsroom--skills that continue to open career doors for me, even though I later became a teacher.

Start the search for a mentor by calling the Chamber of Commerce (usually listed in the White Pages) and ordering its membership directory. The directories are usually free or inexpensive.

Your career counselor also may be able to help you find a mentor.

If possible, ask to “shadow” the mentor--that is, accompany him or her for at least part of a workday. You’ll see firsthand what the job is like, and whether it suits you.

Incidentally, your upcoming winter vacation is a rare chance to shadow someone without missing school.

Check out your public library or school library for information on jobs, too. Professional magazines exist for many occupations. They offer up-to-date looks into trends, leaders, debates, and discoveries in specific fields. The last few pages of such journals generally advertise training programs and job opportunities.

Once you know the nature and requirements of your dream job, ask your counselor to help you find the appropriate classes--as well as the best colleges, universities or training programs, which you must start aiming for today.

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Depending on your age and the occupation you want, you might just be able to start working in your chosen field now, thanks to Regional Occupation Programs (ROP) at many public schools. Through ROP you can gain experience, skills and contacts, as well as wages and school credit.

Finally, for more help in exploring careers, write for the “Guide for Occupation Exploration” or “Occupation Outlook Handbook,” Supt. of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.