Selecting a Career

Selecting a career can be challenging. There are resources, including your counselor, to assist you in the process. This section will give you some ideas to get you started as well as external links to some useful websites.

Questions to Get You Started

• What kind of hobbies or interests do you have?
• Do you like being outside or inside?
• Do you want an 8-5 job or a more flexible work schedule?
• What's important to you? Healthcare? Environment concerns?
• What kinds of things do you enjoy doing? Cooking? Writing?

Vocational Exploration Testing

If you really aren't sure at all what you want to do, ask your counselor about getting tested for career interests. There a many assessments available. Your counselor can help you select one.

Work Experience or Volunteering

If you have some idea of what you might want to do for a living but still aren't certain, ask your counselor to help you get a work-experience or work with you in getting a volunteer position. The benefit of work experiences and volunteering include picking up skills you can use in a paying position and having job experience to put on your resume.

External Website Resources

Two external websites are listed that might help you in the process of selecting a career. A brief description of what you will find on the site is provided.

AFB Career Connect

AFB Career Connect (AFB CareerConnect: A Resource for Job Seekers with Vision Loss) provides tips for career exploration as well as opportunities to contact a mentor who is already working in the career you are interested in.

Occupation Information Network (O*NET)

The O*NET system (Occupation Information Network) serves as the nation's primary source of occupational information. The site provides comprehensive information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations. There is also a link to search Jobs that are currently in demand.