STEP #1: RESEARCH
                                                YOURSELF

Take stock of yourself. Know what kind of person you are. 

Consider: 
*Interests - hobbies, sports, preferences, amusements 
*Values - helping others, possessions, leisure time 
*Motivations - career, money, status, satisfaction, and training 
*Abilities - verbal, mathematical, mechanical, artistic 
*Personality - outgoing, diligent, task, oriented, persuasive 

Resources: 
*Focus II Computerized Career Guidance Program 
*Career Assessment Tools-Self Directed Search, Strong Campbell Interest Inventory 
*Myers Briggs Personality Assessment 
*Career Development Books - What Color is Your Parachute

WHAT IS FOCUS II? 
FOCUS II is a computer-based career and educational planning system. FOCUS II takes the approach that your career decision-making should take into account the full context of your life, that is your personal attributes, your life plan and lifestyle preferences, the different roles you will play as you move through different stages of your life, and the obstacles you might encounter while making decisions. 

The System Includes: 
* A Self-Assessment section where you can rate your work-related values, interests and abilities. 
* Ways to develop a list of occupations based on features you want in your work and features you want to avoid in your work. 
* A search-by-major capability that allows you to get a list of occupations related to most majors at Ferrum College. 
* Learn facts about any occupation you have in mind. 
* Learn about the kinds of experiences and training you need in order to achieve your career objectives. 
    

                                          
                                            SELF EVALUATION

Evaluate what you want from a job and what you bring to it. 

*Determine if you are educationally and temperamentally prepared. 
*Consider physical as well as mental requirements. 
*Keep in mind your long range objectives. Read books on job hunting. Some contain descriptions of specific occupations; entry level and advanced jobs, requirements, functions, salaries. Others describe job-hunting techniques; researching employers, writing resumes and application letters, planning interviews, etc. 

Resources: 
*Focus II Computerized Career Information 
*Occupational Outlook Quarterly and American Salaries and Wages Survey 
*Informational Interviews with Alumni or Contacts 
*Internship and Externship Experiences 
*Career Services Resource Center 
*Campus Library 
*Professors/Academic Advisors 
 


                                 PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS

Study the field(s) of your choice for present fiscal health and future growth potential. Identify organizations best suited to your needs (size, location, leadership, products/services, and benefits). 

Resources: 
*People should be your primary resource during the career planning process. There is still a great deal of truth to the familiar phrase, "It's not what you know, its who you know." The Career Center can help you connect. 

*Directories and trade journals provide information about the business and names of personnel.  Consult these to learn about organizations you are already considering and additional prospects. 

*Career Services Contact Files. The Career Services Center maintains a large listing of organizations with contact names. 

*Annual reports give details of company activities during the year, finances, new developments, mergers, acquisitions and/or problems. 

*Newspapers list job openings in Classified/Advertising and other sections. Trade journals also carry notices of available positions. 

*Read between the lines. Jobs result when branch offices are opened, executives are transferred, contracts awarded, new buildings planned, laws passed, legislators elected, governments change. 

*Alumni contacts provided through the Career Services Center provide excellent resources for networking and for learning more about specific career fields and organizations. 

*National associations provide contacts and career information, as well as serving as an excellent networking tool. The Encyclopedia of Associations is available in the Career Services Center. 

*The internet is the fastest growing resource which can be a valuable addition to the career development and job search process. Many corporations now have their information on-line.