Field trips. Field trips are another way for your
child to see workers in many different careers. Before
your child goes on a school field trip, ask him or her
to watch for different types of workers and careers
while on the field trip. Then discuss those careers
with your child afterwards. You may also arrange a
field trip, just for you and your child, to a business or
organization that employs people in your child's
chosen career.
Remember that career choice is a personal decision.
Do not try to steer your child to a particular career
because you think it is something you might like.
Your child may change his or her career interest as a
result of increased exposure to careers. Continue to
encourage your child as career choices change - the
more informed he or she is about careers, the better
his or her career decision will be.
For more information:
The following resources provide you and your child
with important information regarding career decision-
making:
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook
Handbook. Find it at your local library or online at:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm.
Your state’s Career Resource Network Office will
have career information and more information about
the career decision-making process. To find your
state's Career Resource Network Office, go to:
http://www.acrnetwork.org and click on "Network."
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational
Information Network (O*Net) can be found online at:
http://online.onetcenter.org/ and click on "Skills
Search."
America's Career InfoNet, created by a federal/state
partnership coordinated by the U.S. Department of
Labor can be found online at:
http://www.acinet.org/acinet/default.asp.
While your child is in middle and high school, he
or she can participate in many career exploration
activities. These activities may include:
Informational interviewing. Encourage your
child to call people who work in his or her
chosen career. Your child should let each person
know the purpose of the call and determine how
much time the individ