Introduction to Careers
By: Cyrus, Editor in Chief National Edition

November 17, 1999

How is a high school student supposed to decide on a career so early? Is there some kind of magic quiz to take that will tell you what you should do for the rest of your life? What kinds of jobs can you get without a college degree, anyway?

These are only a few of the questions you might be thinking about right now as a junior or senior. People keep telling you that there are options out there, that not everyone has to go to college, but so much information is available about jobs for college graduates and not so much for anyone who doesn't hold a degree.

The job search is as extensive a process as the college search with one great difference - at the end of the college search, you pay money, while at the end of the job search, you earn it! Pretty exciting. But how do you go about getting the first job?

The first step is, of course, deciding which field or fields interest you. The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the United States Government gives a great overview of about 300 different careers and describes the future of those careers. There are career and personality tests on the web (and probably on paper in your guidance office) that can help you figure out which types of careers to which you are best suited.

The next steps involve serious preparation. You need to get together a resume, research possible employers, write cover letters, and start sending out inquiries. You don't have to wait for an employer to advertise an open position to send your resume - human resources departments often keep good resumes on file for future reference. Do search for jobs on the Internet - there are tons of job search sites where you can not only look at ads, but research companies and different types of positions.

After sending out your resumes and following up by phone to make sure they have been received, the next step is waiting to be called for interviews. Read the other articles in Career Headquarters to find out more about the job search.