Self-assessment
The following Web sites will help you to better understand your skills, values and interests. They include quizzes, games and exercises to facilitate the process.
http://www.rileyguide.com/assess.html
http://career.missouri.edu/students/explore/thecareerinterestsgame.php
http://www.pressanykey.com/cgi-bin/briggsMeyersTest.cgi
http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz/career_quiz1.asp
Researching Career Fields
The best place to begin learning about different career fields is by reading about what the jobs entail. These sites provide links to explore various career areas and position descriptions.
http://www.wetfeet.com/Careers---industries.aspx
http://jobprofiles.monster.com/
http://jobstar.org/tools/career/spec-car.php
http://www.quintcareers.com/career_exploration.html
http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Informational Interviewing
Speaking to professionals working in various industries is an ideal way to gather information and make contacts. Below are sites that discuss the process of informational interviewing, where you are in control of asking the questions.
http://www.quintcareers.com/informational_interviewing.html
http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/infointerviews/a/infointerview.htm
http://career-advice.monster.com/career-networking/informational-interviewing/home.aspx
Internships
There is nothing that compares to experiential learning. Internships offer hands-on exposure to career fields in a professional work environment. Browse some of these general internship databases.
http://www.dcinternships.org/index.asp
http://www.getthatgig.com
http://www.inroads.org
http://www.internhere.com
http://internships.wetfeet.com/
http://www.internzoo.com
http://www.rsinternships.com/
Selecting a Major
Selecting a major can be a daunting process. These sites can help you narrow down your interests and develop a focus.
http://www.collegemajor.com
http://www.collegeview.com/articles/CV/careers/selecting_major.html
http://www.mymajors.com/
http://www.quintcareers.com/student_jobseeker_guide/choosing_college_major.html
Additionally, we have a new resource that helps you see connections between your major and career choices. For each major you can view information about common career areas, typical employers and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. View the resource.
Networking
More than half of all jobs are found through networking. Networking involves developing relationships with people in order to build your base of contacts and job information. Learn more through the sites below.
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/job_search_networking.htm
http://www.quintcareers.com/networking.html
http://www.salary.com/careers/layouthtmls/crel_display_nocat_Ser16_par35.html
Making Career Decisions
As you struggle to determine the path that’s right for you, these sites may be helpful in covering decision-making strategies.
http://career.berkeley.edu/Plan/MakeDecisions.stm
http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/OCAmakedecision.html
http://www.fastweb.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/110066
Writing Resumes and Cover Letters
Resumes and cover letters are the building blocks of a job or internship search. The following links provide samples and advice.
http://www.rockportinstitute.com/resumes.html
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/index.php
http://resume.monster.com/archives/dosanddonts/
http://www.careerlab.com/letters/default.htm
Preparing for Interviews
Practice makes perfect when it comes to interviewing. Learn how to prepare, how to best present yourself and how to answer the toughest questions.
http://interview.monster.com/
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/wininterview.htm
http://online.wsj.com/article/C60530CAPELL.html?mod=CarJMain_howcanwehelp
http://www.rileyguide.com/interview.html
Job listings
When you are ready to search for jobs, these sites might be good places to begin.
QU Career Connections
http://www.monster.com
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com
http://www.collegegrad.com
http://www.indeed.com
http://www.idealist.org