Students should start thinking about their future career plans as early as freshman year. Take a career interest assessment, consider your skills, and keep these things in mind as you make decisions about which classes to take and which post-high school pathway to follow.
There are many free resources available to help with the career planning process. You can find in depth information on different types of jobs and careers, and search for programs and colleges that offer training in these majors/careers. Research colleges and/or training programs, and narrow down your list based on your own personal requirements.
Life Values Inventory - The Life Values Inventory Online was developed to help individuals and organizations clarify their values and serve as a blueprint for effective decision-making and optimal functioning.
College & Career Planning for High School Students - Hosted on the Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program website, this site includes grade by grade college and career planning timelines, assessments, and guidance on exploring and incorporating career interests into post-high school planning.
Big Future Careers/ Road Trip Nation - The College Board partnered with Roadtrip Nation to create Career Finder, an online tool that helps students make informed academic decisions about careers based on their personal interests and what truly drives them. Create an account at College Board and start exploring.
Career Coach - Discover majors, in-demand careers and education based on your interests through this tool from Las Positas College. You can even create a resume with the resume tool.
California Career Zone - Assessment tools, interest profiler, skills profiler, and work value profiler. Explore job families.
California Career Center - The California Career Center (CalCC) is your career planning website with tools to help you map your future, whether looking ahead to college, apprenticeship, the military or other options. CalCC is focused on resources for students but also contains resources for counselors, parents, teachers, in short, anyone interested in developing the career self-management skills necessary in today's world of work.
Career One Stop Career Videos - Career videos are organized into 16 clusters, or related types of work. Select a category to view a list of videos related to that cluster. Videos include career details such as tasks, work settings, education needed, and more.
K-12 Student Resources - This government site takes all its labor information and presents it in an easy to use website. The career information is organized by academic studies such as math, reading, science, music, etc.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - Hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor, the OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
O*NET Online - Tool for career exploration and job analysis. O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more.
What Can I Do With a Major In? - Developed by the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, this site is useful for anyone trying to link a major with job titles; you'll also find job, internship, and industry information links.
Explorer Posts are open to young people, typically between the ages of 14-20, although specific explorer program age ranges may vary.
Explorer programs are characterized by career exploration activities, including hands-on training and mentorship opportunities in the area of focus.
If an Explorer Post exists in an area in which you are interested, take advantage of this chance to learn more about a career in the industry while still a high school student.
Law Enforcement Explorer Program
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Explorer Program (Dublin, CA)
Aviation Explorer Post #997, Based out of Livermore Airport
Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Explorer Post