The first step in career planning is career exploration. And, the first step to career explorations is self-knowledge.

Ask yourself, What are my:

Values

• What is important to me?
• What do I want to accomplish in my life?
• What challenges me to be my best?
  
  
  Interests
  
• What do I like to do?
• What classes have I liked?
• What projects do I enjoy most?
• What kinds of jobs have I had that I enjoyed?
• What aspects of the jobs I have had that were the most enjoyable?
• What is it that I’ve done that I hope never to do again?
  
  

  Abilities

• What am I good at?
• What am I not so good at?
  
  

  Personality Characteristics

• On projects, do I enjoy working on teams, or do I prefer to work alone?
• Am I detail oriented, or do I look at the big picture?
• Do I make decisions based on logic and reason or values and compassion?
• Do I plan things well in advance, or do I like to do things on the spur of the moment?
• What kinds of people do I like to be around?
  
  
  In addition, here are some other things for you to think about:
  
• What are your economic needs? What is your minimum annual salary requirement?
  • You may want to do some research on starting salaries in careers in fields  you are considering through Texas Cares or O*NET
• What are your long term goals?
• What is your vision for your life and your career?
  • You may want to look at the Lifestyle Planning Worksheet.
• What abilities and skills do you want to use in your career?
• Assess the skills that you don’t have that will need further development.
• Determine what further training you need and how long it will take.
  • You may want to check with our office about taking e-Discover to explore this in more depth.
  • Speak with an academic counselor about courses, majors, requirements and other academic concerns.
    
    
  Some things to do:
  
• Contact our office at career@accd.edu about taking TypeFocus and e-Discover and make an appointment to come in to discuss your career concerns and options with a counselor jkovacsl@accd.edu. These assessment programs are free for all SAC students.
• Browse through the books and videos in the Career Planning Center to help you identify career options.
• Identify two or three career possibilities to explore further.
• Watch for trends in career fields by reading local and national newspapers and magazines.
• Identify two or three career possibilities to explore further.
• Talk with the San Antonio College faculty and staff about career options in their fields.
• Talk with people already working in the careers you are considering. Find out what they like about their jobs.
• Check out professional clubs and associations. If possible, contact the local president and attend a meeting.
• Get work experiences. Internships are a great way to learn about potential careers.
• Attend Career Seminars offered periodically throughout the year to hear professionals speak about their career paths and get advice.
• Attend Career Fairs and to speak with corporate representatives in your industry field of interest.
  
  

Career Search
http://www.collegeboard.com/planning/
A step-by-step career planning worksheet to help you identify your career interests. A career browser with detailed information on a broad list of career areas is also included.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Information on occupations that includes job descriptions, education and training requirements, salaries, and employment outlooks.

Student Success
http://www.prenhall.com/success/
Information on college majors, what careers are related to those majors, study skills, money matters, and other topics of importance for students.

2+2 Transfer Plans for UTSA
http://utsaweb.utsa.edu/visitor/
Two-plus-two degree plans and other information about transferring to UTSA.

Student Success Handouts
http://www.accd.edu/sac/studdev/handouts/handouts.htm
Websites for a variety of topics such as study skills, career planning, college search, and goal setting.

Texas Emerging Occupations
http://www.cdr.state.tx.us/emerging/candidates.htm
Research this site for information on up and coming careers.

College View & Virtual Tours
http://www.collegeview.com/collegesearch/
Search for a college based on specific criteria, such as a major, location, and student body profile. This site also has virtual tours for some colleges as well as tips on doing college and scholarship essays.

College and University Look-up
http://www.cgf.org
Search over 22,000 community college and universitywebsites. Catalogues, virtual tours, and other relevant
information is available on this invaluable site.

TASP Practice Test
http://www.tasp.nesinc.com/practice.htm
Practice questions and answer key with item analysis to help you prepare for the TASP.

Financial Aid
http://www.finaid.org/
General information on types of financial aid, links to FAFSA, scholarship search, and other resources.

Scholarship Search – FastWeb
http://www.fastweb.com/
A scholarship search based on your personal profile and college interests. Sets up a mailbox that periodically alerts you of new scholarship opportunities.

Scholarships.com
http://www.scholarships.com
Additional scholarship search site.

SAC Information
http://www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/students.htm
Links to Career Planning Center, Job Placement, Financial Aid, Transfer Center, and other helpful SAC sites.

For more information E-mail us: career@accd.edu

This site last updated May 15, 2007

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