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CAREER PLANNING and EXPLORATION

ACT World of Work Map
worldofwork

The 26 career areas are listed below, arranged within the six career clusters.
For each career area, examples of occupations are provided.

ADMINISTRATION & SALES

  1. Employment-Related Services
    Employee Benefits Manager; Employment Interviewer; Human Resources Manager; Labor Relations Specialist; Training/Education Manager
  2. Marketing & Sales
    Advertising Manager; Buyer; Insurance Agent; Real Estate Agent; Sales/Marketing Manager; Travel Agent
  3. Management
    Financial Manager; Foreign Service Officer; General Manager/Executive; Hotel/Motel Manager; Property/Real Estate Manager
  4. Regulation & Protection
    Customs Inspector; Detective (Police); FBI Agent; Food & Drug Inspector; Park Ranger; Police Officer

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

  1. Communications & Records
    Abstractor; Court Reporter; Hotel Clerk; Medical Record Technician; Title Examiner/Searcher
  2. Financial Transactions
    Accountant/Auditor; Bank Teller; Budget/Credit Analyst; Insurance Underwriter; Real Estate Appraiser; Tax Accountant
  3. Distribution & Dispatching
    Air Traffic Controller; Flight Dispatcher; Mail Carrier; Shipping/Receiving Clerk; Warehouse Supervisor

TECHNICAL

  1. Transport Operation & Related
    Aircraft Pilot; Astronaut; Bus Driver; Locomotive Engineer; Ship Captain; Truck Driver
  2. Agriculture, Forestry & Related
    Aquaculturist; Farm Manager; Forester; Nursery/Greenhouse Manager; Tree Surgeon (Arborist)
  3. Computer & Information Specialties
    Actuary; Archivist/Curator; Computer Programmer; Computer Systems Analyst; Web Site Developer
  4. Construction & Maintenance
    Carpenter; Electrician; Firefighter; Plumber; Security System Installer
  5. Crafts & Related
    Cabinetmaker; Chef/Cook; Jeweler; Tailor/Dressmaker; Winemaker
  6. Manufacturing & Processing
    Printing Press Operator; Sheet Metal Worker; Tool & Die Maker; Water Plant Operator; Welder
  7. Mechanical & Electrical Specialties
    Locksmith; Millwright; Technicians in various fields (for example, Automotive, Avionics, Broadcast, Sound)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

  1. Engineering & Technologies
    Architect, Engineers (for example, Civil, Mechanical) & Technicians (for example, Energy, Quality Control) in various fields; Production Planner; Surveyor
  2. Natural Science & Technologies
    Biologist; Food Technologist; Geologist; Meteorologist; Physicist
  3. Medical Technologies
    Dietician/Nutritionist; Optician; Pharmacist; Radiographer Technologists in various fields (for example, Medical, Surgical)
  4. Medical Diagnosis & Treatment
    Anesthesiologist; Dentist; Nurse Practitioner; Physical Therapist; Physician; Veterinarian
  5. Social Science
    Anthropologist; Criminologist; Political Scientist; Experimental Psychologist; Sociologist

ARTS

  1. Applied Arts (Visual)
    Animator; Fashion Designer; Graphic Artist (Software); Photographer; Set Designer
  2. Creative & Performing Arts
    Actor; Composer (Music); Dancer/Choreographer; Fashion Model; Musician; Writer/Author
  3. Applied Arts (Written & Spoken)
    Advertising Copywriter; Columnist; Editor; Interpreter; Librarian; Reporter/Journalist

SOCIAL SERVICE

  1. Health Care
    Athletic Trainer; Dental Hygienist; Health Services; Administrator; Psychiatric Technician; Recreational Therapist
  2. Education
    Athletic Coach; College/University Faculty; Educational Administrator; Teachers in various specialties (for example, Art, Foreign Language, Music)
  3. Community Services
    Counselors in various specialties (for example, Mental Health, Rehabilitation); Director (Social Service); Lawyer; Social Worker
  4. Personal Services
    Barber; Flight Attendant; Gaming Occupations Worker; Hairstylist/Cosmetologist

 

Government Sites

Interest Inventories 

  • 3SmartCubes Check out their collection of  IQ & Personality tests related to careers.  Must register.
  • Career Info Net   a  Videos

    Explore careers through this online tool. Find the type of work and occupations you would like and find exciting. Use your results to explore the world of work.
  • O*NET Work Importance Profiler
    What is important to you in a job? This tool helps you identify occupations that you may find satisfying.
Free Online Interest Inventories 

Career Interests Game, University of Missouri

The game is based on the RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) model of occupations and is designed to help match user's interests and skills with similar careers. The game may help users to begin thinking about how their personality will fit in with specific work environments and careers.

Career Toolbox, MyFuture.com
Offers two tests to assist with career exploration. The 60 item sample Work Interest Quiz is designed to acquaint the users with a national test called the Interest-Finder. Answers are analyzed and fit into two of the six RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or Conventional) work types. The second test offered is the Personality Test which is based on the Myers-Briggs Typology. Users may fall into four general temperament types Guardian, Artisan, Idealist, and Rational.

Jung Typology Tests, HumanMetrics
Users may take the Jung Typology Test. Results are returned immediately. Users may also take the Jung Marriage Test, and the Risk Attributes and Role Model Profiles.

Keirsey Temperament Sorter, AdvisorTeam.com
Offers a brief character and temperament sorter and a description of the results. The results are based on the sixteen Myers-Briggs Type Indications and then are grouped into the following four temperaments Artisan, Guardian, Rational, and Idealist. Offers information on the four different temperaments and sixteen personalities.

Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP)
Offers an online assessment test identifying a person's motivations and how to use them for success in career and life planning. Matches a users' results to three O*Net job titles for free. Several in-depth appraisals and reports are offered for a fee.

Personal Services, Advisor Team.com
Users may take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II test. The test sorts people into sixteen type formulas and four temperaments. Users who complete the sorter will receive a free temperament description with the opportunity to purchase the full 10 page Temperament Report.

Princeton Review Career Quiz
An assessment quiz developed by the creators of the Birkman Method. Quiz results detail users Interest Color (the kind of job interests and responsibilities that matches user's preferences) and Style Color (the way user's tend to work). Suggested careers are provided with finished questionnaire results.

Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) Sample
The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator may help user's determine their Enneagram type. The Enneagram is a personality test that contains nine personality types. Offers a sample of the RHETI Test.

Tests, HotJobs.com
Provides links to Career Assesment Tests, Resume and Interview Quizzes, and Personality Tests. Includes information on Interviews, Resumes, Relocation, and Salary and Benefits.

Career Interests Game, University of Missouri

The game is based on the RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) model of occupations and is designed to help match user's interests and skills with similar careers. The game may help users to begin thinking about how their personality will fit in with specific work environments and careers.

Career Toolbox, MyFuture.com
Offers two tests to assist with career exploration. The 60 item sample Work Interest Quiz is designed to acquaint the users with a national test called the Interest-Finder. Answers are analyzed and fit into two of the six RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, or Conventional) work types. The second test offered is the Personality Test which is based on the Myers-Briggs Typology. Users may fall into four general temperament types Guardian, Artisan, Idealist, and Rational.

Jung Typology Tests, HumanMetrics
Users may take the Jung Typology Test. Results are returned immediately. Users may also take the Jung Marriage Test, and the Risk Attributes and Role Model Profiles.

Keirsey Temperament Sorter, AdvisorTeam.com
Offers a brief character and temperament sorter and a description of the results. The results are based on the sixteen Myers-Briggs Type Indications and then are grouped into the following four temperaments Artisan, Guardian, Rational, and Idealist. Offers information on the four different temperaments and sixteen personalities.

Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP)
Offers an online assessment test identifying a person's motivations and how to use them for success in career and life planning. Matches a users' results to three O*Net job titles for free. Several in-depth appraisals and reports are offered for a fee.

Personal Services, Advisor Team.com
Users may take the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II test. The test sorts people into sixteen type formulas and four temperaments. Users who complete the sorter will receive a free temperament description with the opportunity to purchase the full 10 page Temperament Report.

Princeton Review Career Quiz
An assessment quiz developed by the creators of the Birkman Method. Quiz results detail users Interest Color (the kind of job interests and responsibilities that matches user's preferences) and Style Color (the way user's tend to work). Suggested careers are provided with finished questionnaire results.

Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) Sample
The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator may help user's determine their Enneagram type. The Enneagram is a personality test that contains nine personality types. Offers a sample of the RHETI Test.

Tests, HotJobs.com
Provides links to Career Assesment Tests, Resume and Interview Quizzes, and Personality Tests. Includes information on Interviews, Resumes, Relocation, and Salary and Benefits.

HEALTH CARE

Fee-based Assessment and Testing Services
Birkman, Birkman International
Provides tools geared toward the specific needs of corporations and consultants, including profiling for success, building teams, coaching, and shaping successful careers. Includes information on Birkman Direct, a Birkman Questionnaire that can be completed online.

Birkman Method, CareerLab
A consulting firm that uses the Birkman Method to develop reports for clients. The reports may be used to streamline hiring, establish job fit, reduce turnover, and improve retention.

Campbell Interest and Skill Survey, U.S. News Online
Provides information on the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (CISS) assessment test. Targeted questions and analysis may help users understand how they fit into the world of work. Survey results are compared to the results of the people who are successfully employed in the field the user is interested.

Career Key, Lawrence K. Jones
The Career Key measures how similar users are to six personality types, helps users identify occupations most likely to fit them, and uses information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook to describe occupations. Offers a variety of self-help modules on the following topics how to make quality decisions, tips for parents, how to choose an appropriate training program or college major, further steps to advance career development, and job skills required for jobs of the 21st century.

CareerPerfect
A career guidance firm that offers online career planning through assessment inventories and testing. Users are tested on career interests, personality, values, skills, and decision-making. Includes information on resumes, interviews, and job search tips.

CareerWay.com
CareerWay.com is a career discovery tool. Users may learn about salaries, job duties, promotion opportunities, and review career information.

DISC Profiles
A personality assessment based on the personality style categories as Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance. Provides information on the paper and electronic versions of the DISC Personal Profile system. Offers the the DISC Personal Profile System test and Online Reports.

Enneagram Institute, Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Proivdes information on the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). Users may take a RHETI samples quiz, read about the nine personality types, and register to take the full RHETI test.

Focus: An Interactive Career and Educational Planning System
Focus is a multi-phase career development system, guiding users through self-assessment, career exploration, career and educational planning, and job search strategizing. The online career assessments will create profiles of interests, skills, values, and personality.

Jackson Vocational Interest Survey (JVIS), Sigma Assessment Systems
Provides career information for Students, Parents, Career Changers, and Counselors. The JVIS is an online career planning tool. The JVIS profile describes areas of career activity users had indicated an interest. Offers a Career Exploration Guide to assist in career and educational choices.

Kuder Career Planning System, National Career Assessment Services, Inc.
Kuder offers career assessment and administers career tests. The online Kuder Career Planning System offers the career assessment tools Electronic Career Portfolio, Interest Inventory, Skills Assessment, and Work Values Inventory.

O*Net Ability Profiler
The O*NET Ability Profiler measures nine job abilities: Verbal Ability, Arithmetic Reasoning, Computation, Spatial Ability, Form Perception, Clerical Perception, Motor Coordination, Finger Dexterity, and Manual Dexterity.

O*NET Career Exploration Tools
An introduction and information on ordering O*NET's self-directed career exploration/assessment tools online. The Interest Profiler and the Work Importance Locator are available. Click on the test name to find an overview, demonstration, ordering, and download information.

O*Net Computerized Interest Profiler
Users may use the O*NET Computerized Interest Profiler (CIP) to receive a profile of their vocational interests. The Profiler measures the following six types of occupational interests: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

O*Net Interest Profiler
Users may use the Interest Profiler to discover the type of work activities and occupations they might find interesting. The Profiler measures six types of occupational interests: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.

O*Net Work Importance Locator
Users may use the Work Importance Locator to identify occupations they may find satisfying based on the similarity between a users work values and the characteristics of the occupations. The Locator measures the following six types of work values: Achievement, Independence, Recognition, Relationships, Support, and Working Conditions.

O*NET Work Importance Profiler
Users may use the O*NET Work Importance Profiler to identify occupations a user may find satisfying, based on the similarity between work values and the characteristics of an occupation. The Profiler measures the following six type of work values: Achievement, Independence, Recognition, Relationships, Support, and Working Conditions.

Selector CareerStep
An assessment that measures a users' interest in particular tasks, experience and skills, and their ideal work environment. The assessment covers six sections: personal details, ability self-assessment, vocation, skills, and experience checklists, and my ideal job.

Self Directed Search, Dr. John L. Holland
A fifteen to twenty minute online test based on the Holland code. The test may assist users in finding careers or educational programs that match skills and interests. There is no charge to take the test, but there is a fee to receive a personalized report.

Strong Interest Inventory, Careers by Design
The Strong Interest Inventory is an assessment that identifies a person's interests and compares them to individuals who are happy in their jobs. The resulting report identifies career choices based on those interests. There are various reports that may be ordered.

Your Career Wave
Fee-based career assessment site to enable users to evaluate, develop and market their employability skills. Includes sections for learners and for advisors.

Tools for Youth
  • America's Career Resource Network - Students
    You can get a jump on your future by exploring your interests, finding out what careers they point to, and making a plan to get the education and training you need to pursue your chosen field.
  • Job Search
    View resources and guides providing job search guidance. Get advice on writing resumes and cover letters. Check out tips on effective networking. Learn about salary negotiation techniques and more.
  • myJobPath
    People get people jobs! This site is a networking resource that includes: informative lessons and videos, a notebook to store contact and event information, and a volunteer database filled with professionals ready to support your job search.
  • Resume Tutorial
    Learn how to create a great resume in a step-by-step approach.

 

Career Area A: Employment Related Services

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER    
HUMAN RESOURCES RECRUITER     
TRAINING/EDUCATION MANAGER

Career Area B: Marketing &SalesINSURANCE AGENT    
MANUFACTURERS’ REPRESENTATIVE     
SECURITIES SALES AGENT    
BUYER    
FINANCIAL SERVICES SALES REPRESENTATIVE    
MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST     
SALES/MARKETING MANAGER   

Career Area C: Management
HOTEL/MOTEL MANAGER    
BANK BRANCH MANAGER    
LOAN OFFICER/COUNSELOR    
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Career Area D: Regulation & Protection
HAZARDOUS WASTE TECHNICIAN   
POLICE OFFICER   
FBI AGENT 

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