Career Planning Resources
Oftentimes, incoming students are unsure of exactly what career they want to pursue. It can be helpful to spend some time discovering your personal interests and abilities in order to find a program area that matches your unique strengths. Below are some on-line assessments that can be helpful with that process.
Links
Interests, Values & Abilities
Wisconsin Technical College Career Interest Questionnaire
Participate in this 10 minute questionnaire about your interests to help identify which clusters (career areas) might be the best fit for you. Based on activities you enjoy, your personal qualities and school subjects you like, the questionnaire ranks the career clusters you may find most fulfilling. Fill out questionnaire now
FOCUS 2
FOCUS-2 is an online, interactive career & education planning system that combines self assessment, career exploration and decision making into one comprehensive program. FOCUS-2 will help you map out a career path and select the right major area of study offered at your school to support your career goals.
- Student portal page URL for self-registration in FOCUS 2 - Self-registration Access Code is: westerntc
- Student portal page URL for logging back into FOCUS 2
TypeFocus
TypeFocus is an online career development tool with the motto "Success through self-awareness." TypeFocus provides practical applications through online personality assessments and personalized reports that help connect you to careers that you may be interested in. The first time using this online tool, you will be asked to register or sign up using your name and email address. You will be asked to create a password and enter an Access Code.
Western's access code is 29HBA835
Personality Profiles
Keirsey Temperament Sorter
The 70 question assessment provides brief descriptions of the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. More comprehensive reports are also available for a fee.
HUMAN METRICS
This 72 question assessment helps to identify preferences and generates a four-letter personality profile. Your assessment will also provide you with a list of occupations and educational institutions where you can get relevant degree or training most suitable for your personality type.
Your Unique Characteristics
Learning Styles
A 24 question assessment designed to help tester’s determine their preferred way of learning (e.g. active, verbal, global, etc).
Strengths Finder 2.0
This on-line assessment helps test takers uncover their innate talents, which can be developed into strengths. Provides strategies for readers to use their talents in all areas of their lives. Can be purchased at most on-line bookstores.
Labor Market Information
These sites can help you determine more about the projected demand, expected salary, as well as detailed descriptions and characteristics of the work.
O*Net System
Provides includes information on key attributes and characteristic of works and occupations, as well as, a variety of career planning resources. http://online.onetcenter.org
Worknet
A Wisconsin based website designed to provide the reader with employment trends http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy.
CareerOneStop
is a comprehensive career site sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration where you can explore careers, find about required education and training for various types of careers as well as labor market information and links to other helpful sites and services. Careeronestop.org
Healthcareercenter.org
Healthcareercenter.org has guides to Health Careers, Degrees, Schools and Job Search Resources.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
This website provider the reader with the latest information relating to projected job openings, earnings, training and education. http://www.bls.gov/oco
Salary Information
CareerBliss
CareerBliss is a comprehensive website that also provides salary data which can be filtered by company name, job title, and/or location. Take a look at their additional resources such as employer profiles, company reviews, job postings, career advice and more!
NACE Salary Calculator Center
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Salary Calculator Center is a hub for compensation data, with salary data for more than 1,000 occupations in 560 regions of the United States.
Simply Hired Salary Information
With Simply Salary, you can see how your salary compares with others in your profession--both locally and nationally.
WI Department of Workforce Development
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is a state agency charged with building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce in the 21st century and beyond. The Department's primary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, at the same time as it works with employers on finding the necessary workers to fill current job openings.
Western's Graduate Follow-Up Report
2010 - 2011 Graduate Success Report
External Job Search Sites
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft in Your Job and Internship Search!
- Don't share your social security number or passport information as a condition of job application or interview. Legitimate employers typically will not ask for your social security information until after a job offer has been made. One notable exception to this is the United States government.
- Don't share bank account information as a condition of job application or interview. After you have accepted an employment offer, you may be asked for bank account information or a cancelled check to set-up direct deposit, but use caution in these situations. See the note below about researching the employer.
- Use caution when posting your personal information on commercial job search sites. Consider not including your mailing address information on commercial websites and perhaps only listing your phone number and email address on résumés posted on these sites.
- Research employers to verify their legitimacy. When in doubt, verify by getting a mailing address and using independent resources like the Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau or online resources like Career Insider or Reference USA. Also check websites that post information about scams like http://www.hotscams.com or even do a Google search for the company name and the word "problem", "scam", "ripoff", etc.
Most importantly, trust your instincts and use common sense, if an employer seems too eager or responds almost immediately to your application or inquiry, this may be a sign of a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
La Crosse Tribune
http://lacrossetribune.com/app/jobs
Dice.com
Search the Top Tech Jobs Available. Dice is the #1 technology job board. If you are a technology expert in areas such as Information Technology (IT), software, high tech, security, and biotech jobs.
Job Center of Wisconsin
The Job Center of Wisconsin is a free, self-service system for job seekers to search job openings and post resumes, and for employers to post job listings.
makingthedifference.org
makingthedifference.org Your source for federal jobs and internships.
indeed.com
indeed.com Find millions of jobs from thousands of company websites, job boards and newspapers, one search, all jobs.
OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES FOR CAREER INFORMATION
CareerJournal
CareerJournal The most important Career News Worldwide. Great link to the latest in career news, job market news, college news, job search, women and work.
careeroverview.com
Careeroverview.com has career information, descriptions, education and job search guide for aspiring professionals.
collegegrad.com
Collegegrad.com Career website for entry level job search for students and recent grads. Provides information on rèsumès and networking, jobs and employers.
myskillsmyfuture.org
myskillsmyfuture.org Explore new career options based on the skills you’ve used in a past job.
rileyguide.com
www.rileyguide.com A guide to the best the Internet has to offer for job search and career information.
The Art Career Project
theartcareerproject.com Learn about careers in the art industry and how to prepare for them.
Professional Networking Website
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network with over 43 million members, 250,000 company profiles and over 350,000 professional groups. LinkedIn connects you to trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas and opportunities with a broader network of professionals.
Job seeking skills and strategies resources
Rèsumè- writing Handbook
Portfolios
Interviewing
Career Development Class
Career Development Course #20890202
This one-credit, eight week course provides an in-depth opportunity for students to participate in personal career development to promote individual growth, academic achievement, and career satisfaction. It is recommended for all students as a means to clarify or validate their current and/or future career aspirations. Topics covered include a foundation of career development theory, assessment of self, understanding of the world of work, developing life/work planning skills, which includes decision-making and goal setting. These topics are presented using lectures, self-directed learning, group exercises, class discussions, guest speakers, multimedia, and panel discussions.
Practice Interviewing
Perfect Interview™ Perfect Interview is an innovative software program that allows users to practice and develop their interviewing skills. You can see videos of tough questions from professional interviewers, which you answer on the spot. A webcam records your answers, so you can see exactly how you will look and sound before going on a ‘real’ first interview. In addition, a career advisor can review your interview to give further tips and pointers. Contact Jackie Newman to schedule a time, newmanj@westerntc.edu 608.785.9257.
