Guides: Career Exploration Project: Student Guide

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Project Introduction (Background)

Learn about Yourself (DWYA & Smarter Measures)

Learn about a Career (Research)

Interview a Professional (Interview Tips)

Check Up (Reality Check)

Write Your Paper (Paper Outline and Citations)

Share Your Knowledge (Presentation Tips)

Get Hired (Job Hunting Tips and Resources)

Pick a career that interests you and investigate all aspects of being one.

You are expected to use at least three resources. The Occupational Outlook Handbook will be one of your sources. The box below lists various places to find other useful information about your career.

Take notes about the career and where you are this information. For extra help, use the document below to keep your information organized.

Scroll down the page for an extensive list of citation examples.

Project Notes and Outline
Created by Dr. Kenn Munn, Fall 2016, based off of the LSC-Kingwood Library Project Notes handout.
Career Exploration Project Notes
Created by the LSC-Kingwood Librarians to help keep your notes organized.

Find Information

These databases are the most useful source of information for your career research. The data is collected and organized by the U.S. government.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
The "Contacts for More Information" section of the Handbook is an excellent place to find professional associations that are connected to the career. Learn about the industry and start networking!
My Next Move - Department of Labor
A user-friendly version of O*NET.
Explore careers by groups: Bright Outlook, Green, and Registered Apprenticeship. This database also provides a specialized career exploration tool for Veterans.
O*NET Online - the U.S. Department of Labor
The database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledges, work activities, and interests associated with occupations.
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Each occupational title and code is based on the 2010 version of the Standard Occupational Classification system.
Career OneStop - the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
Create a personal career profile that includes a job description, wage information, employment trends, education & skills requirements, and much more.

Prefer a print book? Search the library catalog. Want an eBook? Search the electronic book databases.

Subject terms: career or vocational guidance

Library Catalog This link opens in a new window
eBook Collection This link opens in a new window
eBook Central This link opens in a new window

How to Search for a Print/Hard Copy Book in the Catalog

How to Search for an eBook on a Career

You have access to a large collection of digital articles that are freely available through the Library's Databases. They are available at any time. Once you click on the database link, an authentication page will come up. You can either:

Enter your Library Card number (14 digits long). It's found on the back of your student ID card next to the LONG barcode. Or,
Click on the link that says "LSC-Online users log in here." It will take you to another page to log in using your myLoneStar username and password.

Vocational & Career Collection This link opens in a new window
Job & Career Accelerator This link opens in a new window
Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Business Source Complete This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Computer Source This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Professional Development Collection This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Science & Technology Collection This link opens in a new window
Teacher Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Small Business Reference Center This link opens in a new window

eBooks

Reality Check Resources

Texas Reality Check
Choose a Texas city you want to live in and calculate the average monthly expenses - see how much money will be left for you to put into savings.
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After taking this reality check compare it to the annual salary of your occupation. Does your lifestyle match what you expect to make working in the industry you are exploring?
Texas Labor Market Information: Wages by Profession
Find entry-level hourly wage in Texas and more narrowly by metropolitan area.
Cost of living: how far will your salary go in another city?
CNN Money Calculator compares the current salary in the city you currently live in with another city.
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Note the difference in grocery and utility bills, cost of housing, transportation, and healthcare.
Money Geek: Cost of Living Calculator
See how far your salary with go in another city.
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Money Geek uses the cost of living data from the Council of Community and Economic Research, Employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Write Your Paper

Your paper should have multiple paragraphs that are organized by ideas. Below is an example of how to structure your paper:

Introduction and thesis statement
Background information about the career
1. Specifications and responsibilities
2. Work conditions
3. Benefits and drawbacks
4. Expected salary
Why did you choose this career
1. How does it fit with your learning style and personality
2. Why are you interested in this career?
3. What are your strengths that will contribute to your success in this field?
4. What potential weaknesses might hold you back?
Next Steps
1. What are the required degrees, certifications, and/or experience for this career?
2. What are your plans to ear these credentials?
3. What are your plans to gain experience?
4. What can you do now to prepare to take these steps?
Conclusion
1. Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?

Created by Tracie Kamenoff, 2014

Below are example citation entries that are commonly used in this assignment.

Note that there are pieces of information that you will have to change:

Change red and ~~crossed-out~~ content to match your researched career, publication date, and url.
Remove the http:/ part of the URL and make sure that it is hyperlinked so that your instructor can click and open up your source of information.
Works Cited list is in alphabetical order by author.
Works Cited is double space with a hanging indentation.

Books/eBooks

United States, Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. "~~Musicians and Singers~~." Occupational Outlook Handbook, ~~18 Apr. 2018~~, ~~www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/musicians-and-singers.htm~~.

~~"Accounting."~~ Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. ~~17th ed. 2018.~~

~~Issit, Micah~~. Careers in ~~Financial Services~~. Salem Press, ~~2017.~~

Websites

"Geoscientists." My Next Move. National Center for O*NET Development, ~~www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/19-2042.00~~.

"LSC-Kingwood Career Services." Student Services, Lone Star College, www.lonestar.edu/kingwood-career-services.

Occupational Information Network (O*NET). "Summary Report for: 29-1141.00 - Registered Nurses." O*NET Online. National Center for O*NET Development, ~~2010,~~ ~~www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00~~.

U. S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, CareerOneStop. "Occupation Profile: Financial Managers: Texas." ~~2016~~, ~~www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=11&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=113031&menuMode=&stfips=48&x=21&y=4~~.

Personal Interview

Smith, Suzy. Personal Interview, 10 Apr. 2015.

Reports

"Personality Type Report Exclusively for ~~Jane Doe~~." Do What You Are. Human eSources. ~~21 Nov. 2014~~.

"SmarterMeasure Assessment Report." SmarterMeasure. Smarter Services, LLC. ~~7 Oct. 2014~~.

Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Education Agency. Labor Market and Career Information. Texas Reality Check. ~~2014~~, ~~www.texasrealitycheck.com/RealityCheckTotal.aspx?city_id=15~~.

Learning Commons Hours

SPRING HOURS

January 17 - May 12

Learning Commons

website: https://www.lonestar.edu/kw-learning-commons

email: Kingwood.LearningCommons@LoneStar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1693

Library Services

email: Kingwood.LearningCommons@LoneStar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1691

Tutoring & Study Skills

website: www.lonestar.edu/lsc-kingwood-tutoring

email: Jennifer.R.Keller@lonestar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1439

Learning Commons Hours

Make an appointment in WC Online Appointment Scheduler

Sunday	Closed
Monday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday	9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Special Hours

In-Service Week (January 8 - 14)

Sunday: Closed

Monday - Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Thursday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. (Coyote Kickoff Fair is in the LC)

Friday: Closed for a staff development day

Saturday: Closed

FALL HOURS

August 29 - December 17

Learning Commons

website: https://www.lonestar.edu/kw-learning-commons

email: Kingwood.LearningCommons@LoneStar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1693

Library Services

email: Kingwood.LearningCommons@LoneStar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1691

Tutoring & Study Skills

website: www.lonestar.edu/lsc-kingwood-tutoring

email: Jennifer.R.Keller@lonestar.edu

Phone: 281.312.1439

Learning Commons Hours

Make an appointment in WC Online Appointment Scheduler

Sunday	Closed
Monday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday	8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday	9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Special Hours

The Learning Commons space and services are closed over the Winter Break, December 17 - January 7.

Career Exploration Project

Ask for Help

Find Information

eBooks

Reality Check Resources

Write Your Paper

Learning Commons Hours

SPRING HOURS

January 17 - May 12

Learning Commons

Learning Commons Hours

Special Hours

FALL HOURS

August 29 - December 17

Learning Commons

Learning Commons Hours

Special Hours

January 16: MLK Day

March 13-18: Spring Break

April 7-8: Spring Holiday

May 13: Graduation