Career Exploration
If you are a student or a parent of a student, please be sure to check out the Youth and Transition page for detailed information about all you can do throughout your (your child’s) school years to prepare for employment.
Throughout our lives, we expand our interests and advance our skills. Our needs change and what we look for in employment changes too. When you first begin exploring employment possibilities, starting with these steps may help:
Assess Strengths
- What are my strengths? (Your Dictionary - Personal Strengths)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
- What do I like? (example: being around a lot of people, working alone, technology)
- How do I spend my time?
- Who are my supporters in my employment journey?
- Have I worked before? If so, where have I worked and what tasks have I done?
- Who do I know? What do they do for work? Who do they know? Check out this video: Social Capital and the Power of Relationships(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
- What are my reliable transportation options and back up plans?
- What technology, accommodations, or accessibility needs do I currently have? (JAN)(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
- Do I have any habits, important routines, or personal idiosyncrasies that need to be accommodated in order to be successful?
- How do I best learn?
- What hours am I willing to work? Am I willing to work (if and when needed) holidays, weekends, evenings?
- Am I looking for a job that makes me happy or a job that pays me well?
- What education or training may I need?
Take Action
- Get your group of supporters together – family, friends, and anyone else who YOU feel can help you identify your strengths and explore possibilities
- At this gathering, you want to take note of what you and the group feels are your: strengths, interests, connections, needs for success (examples: Transportation, medical, quiet versus loud working environment), and your values/purpose. At the end, you’ll determine next steps.
From exploring interests to determining steps in a different career, here are some tools that may be helpful based on this stage in your employment journey:
Free Library of Philadelphia
Sign up for a library card today and gain access to resources from obtaining your G.E.D to using their computers. The Free Library also hosts a variety of programs and events that can build skills too.
- Programs and Services(opens in new tab)
- The Workplace(opens in new tab) – resources for job-seekers
O*Net
Check out O*Net’s Interest Profile which helps you understand how your interests can relate to work. and can help you to begin brainstorming possibilities.
ApprenticeshipPHL
Visit ApprenticeshipPHL to get information on how to find an apprenticeship and learn more!
PA CareerLink Philadelphia
PA CareerLink PHL(opens in new tab) – The following are ways this resource can support you at this stage of your journey:
- “Career Coach” section(opens in new tab) - take a Career Assessment and get suggestions based on interests you rate from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree; browse careers and programs.
- “Career Pathways” section(opens in new tab) - shows entry-level positions in industries that can set the foundation for the job you want.
- Get in touch(opens in new tab) - this section provides information on where you can connect with professionals who can support you in creating a customized career plan.
PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Contact the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to see if you are able to access resources to support you in your journey.
PA Office of Developmental Pograms
Check out the PA ODP's various programs and resources.
