The Career Planning Process

There are four basic steps to the career planning process. All four steps are important in determining the type of occupation that is right for you. The four steps are: occupational exploration, self exploration, decision making, and plan of action.

1. Occupational Exploration

People can learn details about the work carried out in various occupations by the methods listed below. They also learn the potential income, working conditions, and employment outlook for occupations.

A number of methods can be used to gather occupational information. Usually a combination of methods is used. Methods are listed below.

• Internet Research - The Internet has emerged as one of the primary sources of information about occupations. This site and many others provide excellent information about many occupations. A listing and description of the sites is provided below. The Saskatchewan Job Futures section of the Sask Net Work web site provides excellent information about Saskatchewan occupations.

Real People - Section of this web site where real life experiences of northern people and interviews are featured.

Job Forecasts - Section of this web site that provides information about industries, occupations and training needs in Northern Saskatchewan.

Northern Labour Market Committee - Section of this web site that provides information about the NLMC. The minutes of meetings often identifu upcoming employment and training opportunities.

Saskatchewan Job Futures - Comprehensive information about many Saskatchewan occupations including wage levels, related occupations, and job prospects.

HRDC National Job Futures - Comprehensive information about Canadian occupations.

• Personal Observation - Common sources of information about occupations are friends, relatives, and elders. In addition, people can review and verify their current knowledge of occupations by discussing occupations in a class or with a counsellor, .

• Interviews - people can find out about occupations by talking to those who do that type of work. Events such as career fairs give people a chance to gather information about a large number of occupations in the same place.

• Work Experience Placement - in courses with a work experience component, students can gain firsthand knowledge of occupations by working with employers.

• Books, pamphlets, and brochures - Resource centers such as Can/Sask Career and Employment offices have various sources of hard copy information. Large companies and industry associations also have various sources of printed information about occupations specific to their company or industry.

Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4