Researching Your Occupational Interests

There are many ways to identify occupations that fit your personal profile: reading about them, researching them on the internet, talking with professionals in the field, and attending campus career presentations. You can also test out a possible career choice through career-related internship or work experience. To make sure you have the most accurate picture of a career and/or occupation, it’s best to use multiple methods to gather information.  The resources listed below are just a starting place; talk to your career counselor about additional resources.

We suggest you start with these online resources:

Occupational Information Network (O*Net)

Maintained by the Department of Labor, this site allows you to find jobs that fit your interests, skills and experience; explore career profiles from the latest labor market data; search for occupations that use your skills; and view specific details about occupations and identify related occupations.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

The OOH, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, gives you detailed information on 250 occupations. Each listing addresses the employment outlook, job duties, earnings, working conditions, training, education, qualifications and career advancement.

Health Careers

Comprehensive information on health careers including articles, salary information, FAQs, health care issues, student and practitioner profiles and more.

Job Profiles 

A career exploration and inspirational web site where experienced workers share their motivations, basic skills and advice with those just entering the career field. The profiles are of real people and the work covers a wide variety of jobs.

Job Star

Career Information. Originally developed for California job changers, this site includes articles on career information, links to resources, and lists of books to look for in your local public library.

LinkedIn: Lewis & Clark College Career Network (L&C Net)

The Lewis & Clark College Career Network (L&C Net) is a network of 1000+ alumni and parents who have volunteered to act as career “experts” to L&C students and alumni in transition. Hosted as a group on LinkedIn, alumni volunteers live in locations throughout the United States and abroad, and represent a cross-section of industries and professional careers.  Another way to connect with alumni is the Alumni Career Corps (ACC).  Twice a month alumni are available for one-on-one sessions during which they will assist students with practical career advice as well as offer a range of career perspectives.  There are a large number of L&C alums who want to be supportive too.  Talk with your career counselor about getting your PioLink and LinkedIn accounts active.

Once you have done some investigation around career ideas schedule a meeting with your career counselor to learn about informational interviewing as the next step for learning about occupations.  Or, you may feel confident about a particular area and are ready to check it out through an internship, summer job or volunteer role.  Here is where your family, friends and others can assist you in developing connections with professionals.