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Making good decisions requires a blend of data and intuition. As you explore job opportunities, it is important that you take the time to do some career research. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is a tremendous resource. Developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training, the O*NET database, contains hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors on almost 1,000 occupations covering the entire U.S. economy. Along with the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET is a great tool for career research that is publicly available at no charge.
Using Occupational Data for Career Research
As you engage in career research, it’s important to utilize the vast array of occupational data available to broaden your understanding of potential career paths. Explore the skills and competencies highlighted in O*NET that are in high demand across various industries. This data can help you identify transferable skills that may apply to multiple roles, giving you greater flexibility in your job search.
Additionally, O*NET provides insights into the projected growth and demand for specific occupations. By focusing on roles with favorable outlooks, you can strategically target your job search toward fields that not only align with your interests but also have promising job prospects. The ability to analyze trends in employment data will empower you to make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts and which industries to explore further.
Where to start?
It is okay to be uncertain… in fact it is smart to realize that you are still exploring. Career paths are not always linear, and it is important to regularly assess whether your profession is the best fit for your passion, purpose and practical needs.
- O*NET offers an interest profiler and that helps to prioritize your preference for a career under using the characteristics realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. Once you have determined which characteristic is right for you, you can browse the database by interest
- Identify roles with a bright outlook, and further segment to highlight those with rapid growth, numerous job openings, or those that are new and emerging
- Use the site’s occupational key word search to explore different roles. If you know you enjoy working with data, and enter the word “data” you will find a variety of options including database administrators, database architects, data entry keyers, data warehousing specialists adnd data scientists. You can then dive deeper and get information on what the role entails, what skills or technologies you will need to master as well as worker characteristics and median wages and trends for the role (you can drill down locally). You can see current job openings on the web, get ideas for related occupations, or learn more about the professional associations for the industry.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation through Data Insights
The job market is ever-changing, making it essential to stay informed about industry trends and emerging fields through occupational data. Utilize resources like O*NET and the Occupational Outlook Handbook to track shifts in job demand, required skills, and emerging occupations. Regularly reviewing this data can help you adjust your career plans in response to changing market conditions and identify areas where you may need further education or training.
Consider using the data from these resources to identify continued learning opportunities that align with the skills currently in demand. For example, if you notice a growing need for data analysis skills within certain roles, seek out learning opportunities that can help you acquire those competencies. By continuously adapting your skills based on data insights, you can enhance your employability and remain competitive in a dynamic job market.
