SEARCH
AID
PROCESS
LIFE
& MAJORS
LOUNGE
Career Exploration through O*NET OnLine
Match your abilities and interests with job-related information
Do you have what it takes to be a middle-school teacher? What are your career options in the field of engineering? Which profession is a perfect match for your combination of speaking and time-management skills? Through the Occupational Information Network, or O*NET OnLine, you can take advantage of customized career exploration by accessing job-related information tailored to your unique abilities and interests. The site offers three main portals of data. From the home screen, click on the category that meets your needs:
Find Occupations
Type in your search terms (e.g., "court reporter") or browse occupations by job family (e.g., "legal"). From there, you'll get a list of tasks that each job entails. The Wages and Employment Trends section of each occupation page offers salary information for most states in the nation, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Choose your desired location from the pull-down menu, and you'll be linked to CareerOneStop, where you can tailor an occupational profile to meet your unique concerns. You'll also find career-specific Web links.
Skills Search
This link generates a list of occupations that match your personal skill set. The skills are organized by category, including basic, social, and technical. Simply check off the proficiencies you have, or intend to acquire, and click "Go." A list of dozens of pertinent careers will appear, with the best matches appearing first. Click on the one that interests you, and you'll get a summary of tasks and skills required, along with a breakdown of the personality traits most suitable for the position.
Crosswalk Search
If you happen to know the occupational code for your desired profession, then this is the quickest way to access information. However, you should be able to find what you need without much hassle by performing a normal keyword search. The Related Links at the bottom of the page are also worth checking out; they lead to dozens of Web sites for job seekers. Those with health problems or disabilities should peruse the Job Accommodations category for resources related to your rights as an employee.
Dalia Wheatt-Colón is a staff writer for the St. Petersburg Times. Visit her Web site at www.WholeWheatt.com.
Share this page:
