Researching possible occupations
Want to know how much you might earn, or whether employment is strong in your chosen career? There are some great websites to help you to research this information.
You can also research information to help you decide whether the job is right for you, such as the types of duties you will be expected to do, and the minimum training requirements.
Key information to look for:
- What are my job prospects?
- How much am I likely to earn?
- What tasks might I have to do?
- What is the trend for the future in how this occupation is growing?
- What skills do I need to perform this job well?
- What related jobs might I be interested in doing?
- What are the different job titles for this occupation?
- What training will I need for this job?
Websites with current data:
- Job Outlook provides a lot of information about every career, including your job prospects, your expected tasks and skills, related jobs and the training you will require. It also has links to job search facilities.
- My Future has information similar to Job Outlook, and includes occupation videos in ‘The Facts’ section of the website.
Occupational/informational interviewing
The best way to understand an occupation and whether it is right for you is by getting information from someone already doing the job.
Contact and interview people already working in occupations you are considering. Explore your options: informational interviewing (100 KB) guides you through the process.
Career mentoring
A career mentor is someone that works in your field of interest that you can communicate with regularly. You can seek one through your networks, or through these formalised programs:
- Deakin's Career Mentoring: Available to all penultimate (second to last) year, final year and postgraduate Deakin University students.
- Willing and able mentoring program (WAM): Available to university students with a disability.
Professional associations
Visit the websites of relevant professional associations to source industry specific research.
