Middle School
Yes SICAN
Explore Your Interests
What Do You Love to Do?
Whether it’s participating in sports, building models, or playing an instrument, your interests today say a lot about what career you may want to pursue.
Here are seven steps to get you started with exploring your interests. Talk about what you discover with your school counselor, parents or guardians, and friends.
Step 1
Make a list of your skills and interests. Ask yourself, “What do I really enjoy doing? In what school subjects do I do well? At what activities do others tell me that I do well?”
Step 2
Find out more about the kinds of jobs that interest you, along with their educational requirements, salaries, working conditions, and any other criteria that can help you decide what the best career fit is for you.
Step 3
Make a second list of possible jobs that you would like to have and compare it with your skills and interests. The job that matches your skills and interests most closely may be the career for you.
Step 4
Choose your career goal, and remember that it’s okay if you want to change your direction as you get older.
Step 5
Develop a career plan. Think about what you want to do and find out more about the kind of training, education, and skills you will need to achieve your career goal.
Step 6
Start looking at schools that offer a college degree or training program that best meets your career goal.
Step 7
Go to your career guidance center (at your middle school, high school, or college) or local library for additional information and help with career planning.
Or visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics to match your favorite activities with possible careers.