CAL-SOAP
San Diego & Imperial Counties
Choosing
a Career
What career fields apply to you?
Why is Career Planning Important NOW?
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If you don't make a decision about your life, someone else will make it for you. Have you REALLY thought about what you want to be in five years, ten years, or twenty years from now? If you are one of the students who wants to work right after high school, think about this: How long will you be satisfied earning minimum wage? It is likely that you will eventually have a family. Will this salary be enough for you to take care of them?
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The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 70% of the jobs in the future will require some education beyond a high school diploma.
Career Fields
Language Arts
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Arts
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Media & Entertainment
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Fashion & Interior Design
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Information Technology
Social Science-based
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Hospitality
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Tourism
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Recreation
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Education
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Child Development
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Family Services
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Public Services
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Marketing
Math-based
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Engineering & Design
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Building Trades
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Construction
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Finance and Business
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Manufacturing
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Product Development
Science-based
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Agricultural
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Natural Resources
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Health Science
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Medical Technology
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Energy & Utilities
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Transportation
How Do You Know Which Career Fields Apply to YOU?
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While there are many career searches available to help people narrow down their career interests, Dr. John Holland's CareerTheory is the best known and most widely used by career counselors. His theory proposes that people are more likely to be successful and satisfied when they can work in an environment conducive to their personality type.
For example, if you enjoy working outdoors, (PE Teacher/Coach, Park Ranger), you will be miserable having a job where you are assigned a cubicle by yourself (Engineer, Computer Engineer). Likewise, this can apply to choosing a college major or instructional program; you will be more motivated and get better grades when you do something about which you are passionate. Here are Dr. Holland's six personality types:
Realistic
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Likes to study and solve math or science problems; generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people. An investigative person will dig into work to discover hidden clues, meanings, or data.
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Investigate
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Likes to study and solve math or science problems; generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people. An investigative person will dig into work to discover hidden clues, meanings, or data.
Artistic
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Likes to study and solve math or science problems; generally avoids leading, selling, or persuading people. An investigative person will dig into work to discover hidden clues, meanings, or data.
Enterprising
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Likes to lead and persuade people, and to sell things and ideas; generally avoids activities that require careful observation and scientific, analytical thinking. Aggressive, risk taking, and bold personalities are a must!
Conventional
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Likes to work with numbers, records, or machines in a set, orderly way; generally avoids ambiguous, unstructured activities. Also works well with people, data, and objects: Works best when directed by others.