Career Exploration Checklist

Do I understand what people actually do? Can I describe the main problems they solve? Have I researched more than one source?

Does this career connect with my natural gifts and interests? Does it fit important personal values? Am I willing to develop the required skills?

What technical and transferable skills are required? Which do I already possess, and which do I need to develop?

What qualifications are normally required? Are there alternative routes? What practical experience would help?

Where do people work? How much independence is typical? How collaborative is the work? What pace and structure are common?

Have I spoken with someone doing the work? Have I explored the less attractive parts of the career? Do I understand the challenges?

After researching, ask: "Am I attracted to the actual work, or only to the idea of the career?"