Looking for work is much different now than five or ten years ago. This is true even in a strong and diversified economy. Today, one needs to take a different approach in a job search, one that is more structured and formalized.

 1)  Self- Assessment (Who Am I?) My interests, values, and skills

     Go to :  The Steps for Self Assessment

Self-Assessment Resources:

• Self-exploration - http://www.careervoyages.gov
• Self-assessment - www.ioscar.org
• Self-assessment and decision-making - http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd

 Odessa College Career Services administers the following Career Assessments:

• The Self-Directed Search (SDS)
  The SDS is a guide to educational and career planning. It is based upon the theory by Dr. John Holland that people can be loosely classified into six different groups; Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (R I A S E C). The SDS Interpretive Report will give you occupations and college majors tailored to YOUR interests, values, skills & abilities.
   
• The Career Clusters Interest Survey - This survey will give you your top 3 career clusters based on your interests and 25 occupations that fall under each cluster. For more information about your clusters go to  www.careerclusters.org
  
  The following are career and learning style assessments that you can do on your own at your computer - The OC Career Counselor is available to help you with interpreting the results!
  
  click on 
  

• A career assessment based on the Myers-Briggs Inventory
  
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• This Learning Style Inventory will help you determine your specific learning style and offer tips for using your learning style to improve your study skills and grades.

All assessments are free of charge.
All assessment results are interpreted by an Odessa College Career Counselor.
To determine what vocational testing would be appropriate for you please contact us.

 2)  Academic/Career Options (Where am I going?)

The second step allows individuals to investigate the world of work in greater depth, narrow a general occupational direction into a specific one through an informed decision making process, and declare a major.

• Occupational Outlook Handbook – http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm 

• Dictionary of Occupational Titles -  www.wave.net/upg/immigration/dot_index.html

• Occupational Information Network – http://online.onetcenter.org/

• Texas Work Force Commission -  http://www.twc.state.tx.us/

• Career Clusters – www.careerclusters.org

• Reality Check -  http://www.cdr.state.tx.us.realitycheck

3)  Relevant/Practical Experience (How Am I Going to Get There?)

In Step 3 individuals evaluate occupational choices and gain practical experience through internships, cooperative education, relevant summer employment, volunteer work and campus activities. Informational interviews with people who are currently working in the career field you are researching is a great way to get first-hand knowledge about the field. In addition, more specific decisions about occupational choices are made.

Step Four:  Job Search/Further Education Preparation

Which colleges offer your major?  www.collegeboard.com  

What are employers looking for in an employee?   Check out: 
     The Balanced Graduate