OU Career Cycle Steps 1 and 2
Self Assessment and Researching Options
Job Shadow/Informational Interview Assignment
A job shadow and informational interview is a great way to learn about occupations.
Be sure to arrange a time for your interview where you will not be interrupted. If you
can, meet your interviewee at his/her office space. It will give you a chance to really
see where they work and get a feel for the atmosphere.
Assignment:
You will contact a professional in the area that you are interested in pursuing a career to arrange for a job
shadow. If possible, spend a few hours with this person so that you can see what their job is like in a typical
day. Ask the questions provided for you, along with any of your own questions.
Due in class:
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Written report outlining your experience and your thoughts about the field (1-2 pages typed)
Short presentation to the class (3-5 minutes)
o Your presentation must be creative and entertaining. Utilize the Student Technology Center for
video and technology assistance.
Send a thank you note to the person who allowed you to job shadow them
Sample questions that you may want to ask during an informational interview.
1. What led you to your chosen occupation?
2. What educational program/major is recommended as preparation?
3. What are your job responsibilities?
4. What is your typical day like?
5. If you were hiring a person for your job, what qualifications would you look for?
6. Could you give me a salary range for your occupation?
7. What do you see as the positives and negatives of your current occupation?
8. What are some other occupations that are closely related to yours?
9. What is the employment outlook for your occupation?
10. What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about pursuing your occupation?
11. What types of technology are used and how are they used?
12. What professional organizations would I benefit from joining?
Be sure to thank your interviewee for their time and send a formal thank you letter.
OU Career Cycle Steps 1 and 2
Self Assessment and Researching Options
Career Research Assignment
Identify three careers you are currently considering, or have considered in the past.
For each career option, follow the Career Exploration Worksheet format to fill in the
information regarding each career. This assignment must be a minimum of 2 typed pages,
following the format below.
To find information, utilize these tools:
 MBTI Personality Assessment completed in class
 Strong Interest Inventory Assessment completed in class
 Online Resources
Major and Career Exploration Worksheet
Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________
Personality Assessments
Personality Style
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Interest Assessments
Interest Code
Strong Interest Inventory
Strengths
Areas to Improve:
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
Majors of Interest:
Occupations of Interest:
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
__________________________
_____________________________________
Online Career Resources
www.oakland.edu/arc
The Advising Resource Center website offers a number of helpful online tools to help you explore majors and careers,
including the following: ‘Degree Requirements’, ‘Degree Options at OU’, and ‘What Can I Do With This Major?’
(located under the ‘Career Resources’ link).
www.bridges.com
Site ID: 0067063
Password: accc
Click on “Choices Explorer” to find out more about occupations and college majors. The “Choices Planner”
includes self-assessments about interests, skills and values.
www.bls.gov/oco
Search numerous job titles alphabetically or by keyword. This site will provide you with job descriptions,
education, salary, related jobs, job outlook and much more.
www.careerinfonet.org
Click on “Occupation Information” for occupation profiles, employment trends and wage information.
www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles
View profiles of college majors and related careers. Major profiles include a description of the major, unique
features and facts, a college checklist and a sample course description. Career profiles provide information about
typical tasks, education, outlook and compensation.
http://online.onetcenter.org
Use the “Skills Search” to select your skill set and see how they match up with occupations. “Find
Occupations” will allow you to search occupations by keyword, browse by job family and explore how
knowledge, skills, abilities, interests and work values relate to various occupations.
Career Research Assignment
OU Career Cycle – Step 2, Researching Options
Use online resources to research THREE careers:
Career:
Source Used:
Description of job responsibilities:
Working conditions:
Training and qualifications:
Job Outlook:
Average Earnings:
Related Majors:
Related Occupations:
What do you like and dislike about this occupation?
Is this occupation a good fit for you? Why or why not?
Group Project: Teach a Step
Teach class about each step of the OU Career Cycle
Lesson: Brief demonstration of the OU Career Cycle and the purpose. Divide class into 6 groups and assign each group a
step of the Career Cycle (1-6).
Assignment: As a group, you will teach the class about your assigned Career Cycle step in a 5 minute presentation.
Points to focus on:
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What can be accomplished in this step?
What are the resources?
Why is this step necessary to move from student to professional?
Which office can assist you with this step and where are they located?