Once you have some ideas about yourself, the next step is to research careers that might fit. Many students choose a direction based on a TV show, a family member’s job or a single conversation. Good research helps you understand what a job is really like, what training it needs and what the future may hold for that field. In this lesson you will learn how to research careers thoroughly.

What to find out about a career

Reliable sources

Official career databases

Many governments publish detailed, free career information based on data. For example:

• In the United States, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and O*NET Online describe hundreds of occupations, including pay, training and outlook.
• In the United Kingdom, the National Careers Service publishes job profiles.
• Many other countries have similar official careers services.

These sources are usually more reliable than social media posts or advertising.

Professional organisations

Most professions have associations, such as engineering institutions, nursing bodies or design councils. Their websites often explain qualifications, specialisms and routes into the profession.

Be careful with online content

Videos like “a day in my life as a…” can be helpful, but they show one person’s experience and may present a glamorous version of the job. Compare several sources and check facts like pay and training requirements against official data.

Learning from people

Informational interviews

An informational interview is a short conversation with someone working in a career you are curious about. You are not asking for a job; you are asking for insight.

Good questions include:

• How did you get into this field?
• What does a typical day or week look like?
• What do you enjoy most, and what is most challenging?
• What skills are most important?
• What advice would you give someone my age?

Ask a teacher, family member or careers adviser to help you find contacts, and always thank people afterwards.

Job shadowing and work experience

Job shadowing means spending a day or a few days following someone at work. Work experience or internships let you try tasks yourself. Both are excellent ways to test whether a career suits you. Schools sometimes organise placements, and some employers run programmes for students.

Example

Leo thought he wanted to be a physiotherapist after a sports injury. He read the official job profile, then arranged an informational interview with a physiotherapist at a local clinic. He learned that the job involves a lot of patient education and record-keeping, as well as hands-on treatment, and that it requires a university degree in many countries. He then shadowed for a day, enjoyed it and decided to choose science subjects that would keep this path open.

Thinking about the future of work

Technology, including automation and artificial intelligence, is changing many jobs. Some tasks are being automated, while new roles are emerging. Skills such as communication, creativity, problem solving, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning are likely to remain valuable. When researching, look for information about how a career is expected to change, and think about the transferable skills it builds.

Keep a career research log

Record what you learn about each career in a simple table: the career, key duties, training required, pay range, outlook, pros and cons, and your interest level. Comparing careers side by side makes decisions easier.

Questions to ask yourself after researching

• Could I see myself doing the daily tasks, not just the exciting parts?
• Am I willing to complete the training required?
• Does the pay range fit the lifestyle I want?
• Does this career match my values from Lesson 1?
• What would I need to do this year to keep this option open?

Key takeaways

• Research daily tasks, training, skills, pay, outlook and working conditions.
• Use official career databases and professional organisations as reliable sources.
• Informational interviews and job shadowing show what a job is really like.
• Consider how technology is changing work, and value transferable skills.

Practice

Choose two careers from Lesson 1. Use an official career database to complete a research log for each, and write three questions you would ask in an informational interview.

Answer: logs will vary. A strong response cites an official source for training and pay, lists realistic pros and cons, and includes open questions such as “What is the most challenging part of your job?”