Choosing Your Career

Methods of Choosing a CareerInterestsAptitudeSkillsExperienceValuesLifestyleStatusMoney, Moola, Dinero, It’s all about the

Benjamins!

What are my Choices?Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Say What?!?!?Career Resources:

Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) http://online.onetcenter.org

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) www.bls.gov/oco

Monthly Labor Review http://stats.bls.gov/opub/mlr/mlrhome.htm

The Good, The Bad, & The UglyWeighing my options

Perform a Job AnalysisEvaluates the positives and negatives of

a job/field

Things to ConsiderSalary

Incentive PayBonusesCommission BasedHourly

BenefitsCommuteWork EnvironmentPromotional

OpportunitiesWork/Life Balance

AutonomyTravelQuality of CompanyCompatibility

With CompanyWith Co-Workers

Work HoursDaily Job DutiesIs the work

Rewarding?

Benefit ExamplesHealth CareVacation TimeSick DaysPersonal Days401k Contributions—

Match?PensionChild CareTuition

Reimbursement

Gym MembershipBonusesStock OptionsTransportation

Sample Job AnalysisPros Cons

Employee Expenses“I have to pay for WHAT?!?!?!?”UniformsSuppliesTravel

Parking, Gas, Public TransportationDry CleaningCell PhoneToolsUnion Dues

Self Assessment Inventory1. Values

Things that are important to you

Ex: Achievement, Status, Autonomy, etc.

2. Interests What you enjoy Ex: Sports,

Dancing, Numbers, etc.

3. Personality Individual Traits;

Motivational Drives; Needs; Attitudes

4. Skills Activities you are good

at Computers;

Communication; Writing; Math; Artistic

Upgrading vs. RetrainingWhat’s the Diff?!?!Upgrading RetrainingAdvancing to a higher

level of skill to increase your usefulness to employers

Enables you to be qualified for a promotion

Increasing your knowledge of a skill you already have

Learning a new or different skill to RETAIN SAME level of employment

Ex: Learning new version of Microsoft Word

Advanced DegreesNon-Advanced AdvancedHigh School DiplomaAssociates DegreeBachelor’s Degree

Master’s DegreeDoctorateProfessional Degree

Does Education Pay?

$81,172

$79,612

$64,116

$52,624

$39,364

$36,348

$32,136

$23,556

Yearly

Networking

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”