The Career Essay
The Career Essay is a 2-3 page typed essay that should follow the following
introduction / body / conclusion structure:
Introductory Paragraph
This paragraph should be a general description of the career with specific
mention of why it interests you and how it builds on your personal strengths.
 What is a general description of this career?
 What kinds of jobs do people with this career have?
 Why are you interested in this career?
 What personal strengths do you have that make you a good fit for
this career?
Body Paragraphs
You
 First provide an honest academic reflection on your current and past
academic performance (including your GPA)
 Describe your attendance, punctuality and work ethic
 Are you involved in extracurricular activities (especially those that relate
to your career of interest)?
 What are you are doing presently to gain experience towards your
career of interest?
The Career
 A breakdown of specialized jobs or trades within the career and their titles.
Example: types of doctors or mechanics, different careers within a
radio station.
 The major tasks performed by people in the career
 Options for where professionals in this career work
 A description of the typical workplace environment including typical work
hours and stress level, as well as any common workplace hazards and
drawbacks
 Approximate annual salaries (entry level, mid-career, and experienced)
 Typical benefits (medical, union, retirement and other bonuses)
 A description of how a person advances within this career?
Training and Learning
 What is the academic or technical training required in order to begin
practicing the chosen career? Include information that you learned from
discussions with people who have the actual career. The training or
learning will most likely be
one of the following:
Four-year college
If this type of education is needed…
 What kind of undergraduate degree (and possibly certification or
post-graduate degrees like a masters or doctorate) is required for
entering the profession?
 What education is needed for advancement within the career?
 Mention several (at least two) specific schools that provide such
an education.
Vocational school
This type of school is usually needed for trades such as construction,
mechanics, certain health professions, or culinary work.
If this type of education is needed…
 What kind training and certification (and possibly any necessary
associate or undergraduate degrees) are necessary to get a job
within the trade?
 What education is needed for advancement within the career?
 Mention several (at least two) specific schools that provide such
an education.
People in the career
 Who have you interviewed regarding this career?
 What did he or she have to say about their profession or trade?
 What internships or job-shadowing experiences have you had in this
career? What did you learn from these experiences?
Concluding Paragraph






This is a summary of the information you have gathered
How does this career suit you?
What specific steps are taking at present or could take in the near future
to make this career more of a reality?
What appeals to you most about this career? Why?
What are your concerns or fears about this career? Why?
What is your GPA presently? What do you need in order to get accepted
into schools for your career?
Are there other academic requirements to enter this profession?
The closing sentences should discuss specific tasks you will need to
accomplish prior to graduation in order to move closer to your career.