Step 1 - Know Yourself

The first step in career exploration is discovering who you are. You do that by identifying your values, interests, and skills. This information will give you a foundation for making your career and life decisions. You need to know what you want in your work and life, and what you have to offer a prospective employer.

Ask yourself
• What’s important to me?
• What do I do well?
• What skills have I developed?
• What type of work environment would I like to be in?

The constantly changing work world means that you must continually ensure your “marketability.” By going through the process of identifying your skills, aptitudes, and abilities you will...

• have a better understanding of what you have to offer potential employers
• recognize your own strengths and preferences

There are a number of online tools to help you understand yourself better, and to offer suggestions of occupations that might be a good match for you. Visit our "Career Quizzes" section to explore.

Once you feel you have a good sense of ‘who you are’ and ‘what you’re looking for’, you’ll want to explore Step 2: ‘What’s out there”.