After assessing one's self, the second step in the career planning process is to locate information about careers. Career information is everywhere. You will want to explore several occupations. This allows you to compare choices, have alternative plans and it stimulates career decision-making.

The purpose of career exploration activities is to learn about resources. You need to learn where resources are located, and what kind of information each resource provides. Resources are books, magazines, videos, computerized information systems, and people. Careers are rapidly changing and career information must stay current and up to date with these changes.

Career Exploration involves looking at areas of interest as well as available jobs and occupational outlook. Listed below are a collection of resources available for more research.

NC State Career Center

NC State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee

An extremely useful career and job search site. This well equipped site contains useful information about conducting a career exploration and a job search. It even includes information regarding resume writing, interviewing and writing cover letters.

Employment Security Commission

A useful site for conducting a job search both in North Carolina and in other areas. You can search for jobs by region, job title, salary or experience.

Career Key

A free career exploration guide which allows you to explore your career interests develop an idea of possible careers.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

A guide of a vast number of careers and information on each of them. This resource includes information on education needed, job outlook and salary or earnings.