Career Exploration

The Basics of Career Exploration

In grades 7–9, starting to think about "What do I want to do when I grow up?" can be helpful. You don't have to make a decision today, but exploring the opportunities can help open your mind to the many possibilities.

Choosing a career might be a decision that you make multiple times in your life. Data supports that most people change their career at least once in their adult years.

There are many things to consider when choosing a career. Below are some questions and tools that may help you get started.

What do I love to do?

If you do not enjoy math, you probably wouldn't want to be an accountant. If you love being with kids, you might love being a preschool teacher. Taking into consideration the activities you enjoy can help you narrow down the careers that would be a good fit for you.

Career Cluster Activity: Take a quiz to find out what Career Clusters are a good match for you.

What skills or strengths do I have?

People who are great at listening might enjoy being a therapist while others who love working with their hands may enjoy construction. Understanding what you are good at can be a great way to begin exploring careers that fit your abilities.

Which Careers Match Your Skills Tool: Take an assessment to determine what you are good at and see careers that match your skills.

What do I value in a career?

Is it important to you to have a high salary, a flexible schedule so that you have time for family or travel, or a job that you can work nightshift? These are also things to consider when selecting a career.

It's Not All About The Money: This tool helps you prioritize your needs regarding job satisfaction and may give you some ideas about how to identify if a job might be a good fit for your desired lifestyle.
Reality Check: Knowing what kind of salary you will need to live the lifestyle you want can assist you in choosing a career. Take this quiz to find out how much it really costs to live the life you want by clicking on "Select My Expenses." Find out how far the salary of a career you choose will go by clicking on "Select My Career."

Are you willing to attend college for one, two, four, or more years?

There are many different types of college. You can attend college for one, two, four, or more years. Taking into consideration how much time and/or resources you may want to put towards education after high school may influence the career you select.

Schools Tool: This tool can help you identify schools that will provide the education you are looking for. Use the filters to help you narrow down options.

Hot Jobs

Hot Jobs are those for which the outlook for openings is good. More openings means that you are more likely to be able to find a job. Use these tools to identify jobs that are on track to grow in the future:

Hot Jobs for the Future

Learn More About Careers

Career Search: Once you know what careers interest you, use this tool to learn more.
Career Videos: See your favorite careers in action.
Khan Academy Careers: Watch interview-style videos about many different careers. Learn about job requirements, education needed, salary, and growth opportunities.

Get Ready for a Career

You can start the path towards a career by taking Career and Technical Education classes that prepare you for work or additional education in that area. Check out the Career (CTE) Pathways page for more information.
Seniors (12th grade) at Davis High School can take an Internship class where they have the opportunity to work in a field of their choice. Talk to your school counselor once you begin attending Davis High School for information.
High school students can attend Davis Technical College to work toward a high-paying career-- and tuition is free before you graduate from high school. (Some fees still apply.) Visit the DTC High School page for more information.
Davis Technical College is a great option for high school graduates, too! The programs here are designed to be completed in one or two years after high school and many programs have a very high job placement rate.