-
Why should you explore careers?
Exploring careers will help you learn about yourself and different types of work. Use career exploration tools to help you decide about a career change or to gather information for a job search.
Here you’ll find resources to:
- Assess your interests and current skills.
- Learn more about careers, including which are in high demand in your area, pay good wages, and relate to your current skills.
- Learn ways to enhance your skills through short-term training, apprenticeships, internships, and certifications.
Need help getting started?
Most of the same resources that offer job search help will also help you explore careers. For in-person assistance:
-
Find a match
Career assessments help you match your skills, interests, and values to jobs. Many assessments are available online at no cost. The following are good places to start:
Additional assessments may be available at your nearest CareerForce location.
Career counselors, including those with the Dislocated Worker Program may use additional assessments.
Other Considerations
Besides interests, there are other factors to keep in mind when considering a career change. What skills do I already possess? Could those skills be used in other work?
- Top 30 jobs in demand that don't require a degree - explore jobs currently in demand in Minnesota.
- Occupations in Demand shows state-wide and regional data including typical wage and long-term employment outlook. Includes training (or degree) required and schools that offer training programs for each occupation.
- The Job skills transfer assessment tool will help you find occupations that are a good match based on your work experience.
- Know your work skills provides a list of common transferable skills. Use this to think about and list the skills you possess.
- Identify your work values to help you pick a career that matches your values.
- Reality check and other tools help you think about basic needs such as food, shelter, transportation, and health care.
-
What to consider
After looking at interests and existing skills, there are many other factors to consider, such as:
- What jobs match my skills?
- Where are the jobs? Will I need to commute or relocate?
- What’s the demand?
- What’s the pay?
- If not qualified, how do I get qualified?
Note: If you've already selected a career, these same tools can help you learn more about that job or career field.
Career Profiles
Career profiles can help you explore your options. Learn about education requirements, wages, employment outlook, and required skills for an occupation.
- Career and Education Explorer is an easy-to-use online tool. Use the Explore Careers section to find wages, jobs in demand, job openings, and more.
- Career Profiles is a great place to start your career research. The detailed information can help you get a good idea of whether an occupation is for you.
- Occupation Profiles lets you search for information and occupations by keyword.
- Career videos offer visuals and explanations of the types of work people do in nearly 550 careers.
Job Outlook Tools
Learn which jobs are in demand in your area, typical wages, education requirements, and where to find training.
-
Find the right training for you
Start with these questions:
When you’re making a big life change, like beginning school or a training program, having a budget can help you keep on track.
Where to find training
How does training affect my Unemployment Insurance benefits?
