Test Drive a Job
You might know the type of career you want, but how do you know if it's really for you? Like trying on clothes or buying a car, you can test a career before committing to it.
Any type of on-the-job experience will give you the inside scoop on what it's really like in a specific job. Work-based learning offers opportunities to gain important training in a specific industry.
Internships, job shadowing, apprenticeship and other work-experience opportunities build career awareness, provide ways to explore career options and often allow you to learn job-specific skills.
Why bother?
The more you understand about the working world, the easier your transition will be. Besides, what do you have to lose? If you do a short-term, work-based learning opportunity and don't like the job, then find another job to test drive.
This is your chance to learn about workplace expectations you don't hear about in the classroom, gain inside facts about the roles and responsibilities of work, or simply get a taste of the day-to-day experience of the job.
Finding a first job can be tough, especially when so many job ads call for previous experience. Solve this challenge by taking advantage of work-based learning opportunities. The practical work experience you'll gain will help to build your resume and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Job shadowing is a short-term visit to a worksite. You'll spend anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days watching an employee perform a job. Experience the work environment first hand and see tasks being performed. More importantly, you'll learn which skills are required for the job and discover if it's even something you'd like to do. To find a job shadowing opportunity, talk to your career counselor or call companies directly.
An internship helps develop career-related skills at a worksite. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and are most common for 11th and 12th graders, and college students. Completing an internship increases your chances of working in a career that fits you. Some provide school credit. For more about internships, visit the Career Exploration tool on CareerOneStop.
A youth apprenticeship is a formal, state-approved, paid instructional program for a set amount of hours giving training in a specific occupational area to high school juniors and seniors. Unlike other work-experience opportunities, it's best to choose an apprenticeship when you're certain about your future career. Credits toward high school graduation may be earned. Programs are coordinated through your high school in partnership with local employers. ISEEK has more information about youth apprenticeship: www.iseek.org/sv/22631.jsp.
Click here to find out about Registered Apprenticeship.
Having a mentor allows you to partner with an experienced worker in a specific career. A mentorship is similar to job shadowing, but is usually more in-depth, with a longer relationship between the people involved. A good mentor is a role model who's committed to showing the knowledge, skills, abilities, education and training needed to succeed in a career. For ideas on choosing a mentor, contact your career counselor.
A worksite field trip is a guided tour of a business. During the visit, ask for information on the industry, types of careers and skill requirements. Often, the importance of interpersonal skills needed in the workplace is stressed. Use this opportunity to explore a wide variety of occupations. To take part in a worksite field trip, contact your job coach or call companies directly.
Interested in finding out more?
Visit the "Work-based Learning" section of ISEEK (www.iseek.org/sv/20204.jsp). It provides a listing of resources, benefits and requirements for each of these activities and other on-the-job learning opportunities.
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