Career Exploration
Explore this page to learn more about various career opportunities and gain a better understanding of what a specific career might entail. There are also very helpful search tools such as O*NET to expand your career exploration and help prepare for your future!
Xello is a career exploration program that all students are required to complete. Log in here to complete required K-12 Lessons.
Your source for career exploration, training & jobs
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
A proud partner of the network
Explore Career statistics: Median Pay, Level of Education Required, On-the-Job Training, Projected Growth Rate, Job Summary and more
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
Military Stories: There’s no better way to learn what the military has to offer than hearing it from those who serve.
Browse some of the profiles below to see real stories from service members.
Air Force Mechanic: Airman 1st Class Laura Lund
Aviation Rescue Swimmer: PO2 Melissa Dixon
Chief of Contigency Planning: Lieutenant Jesse Harms
Combat Medic: PV2 Megan Nichole Paul
Cyberwarfare Students: A fast-growing specialty in the Military
Health Care Specialist: Staff Sergeant Fabiola Surena
Medical- Surgical Nurse: 1st Lieutenant Katie Von Fange
Motor Transport Operator: Corporal Amayah Littlewolf
Systems Control Watch Officer: Sergeant Brian Threat
Army
As the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, founded in 1775, the Army defends the nation by land, sea and air.
The Army offers over 990,000 members 150 career opportunities across various disciplines, including aviation, information technology, health care, aircraft maintenance and Special Forces.
Marine Corps
Also founded in 1775, the United States Marine Corps is known as the nation's rapid response force. These warriors live by the core values of honor, courage and commitment, on and off the battle field.
A Marine is, above all else, a Marine. There are approximately 180,000 Marines skilled in the art of warfare. Marines are the first boots on the ground in most conflicts.
Navy
The U.S. Navy makes the seas safe for travel and trade. George Washington founded the Navy in 1775, but it was too expensive to maintain. Then, in 1794, pirate attacks and increasing international conflicts cemented the Navy as a military branch.
Today's Navy is made up of approximately 320,000 personnel equipped to handle operations both on and under the sea, in the air and on the ground.
The Navy offers careers in over 60 different fields for Sailors, scientists, artists, and aviators to name a few. Elite groups within the Navy, such as the SEALs and Navy Divers, specialize in advanced warfare situations.
Air Force
The Air Force was born as a subdivision of the U.S. Army in 1920. In 1947, following World War II, the Air Force was recognized as its own military branch.
The primary mission of more than 300,000 troops in today's Air Force is focused on air, space and cyberspace superiority.
The Air Force offers 200 careers. Pilots and flight crew, mechanics, electronics technicians, air traffic controllers, medical staff and other personnel all fulfill Air Force objectives.
Coast Guard
In 1915, a congressional act combined two separate federal services to form the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and under the Navy during wartime, or by special presidential order. In addition to protecting our nation's waterways, approximately 40,000 active-duty members of the Coast Guard perform search and rescue, law enforcement, and environmental cleanup operations.
Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical
Skilled Trades are careers that often require less schooling and debt than a four-year degree. These jobs are in demand for fields like healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, construction, and automotive. Once seen exclusively as a world of manual labor, today’s Skilled Trades jobs offer a wide array of opportunities for high school and community college students.
Pathfinder will let you choose multiple paths and compare them with each other. You can even save your choices and view them later.
If you're undecided, Pathfinder can give you the information that's best for you.
Skilled Trades
Find your Best Fit to learn more about Skilled Trades. These are some of Michigan’s most in-demand Professional Trades careers. If you don't see your dream job or where you can get trained, please visit your local Michigan Works! Service Center.