How can you find out more about a career that interests you? Try it on! Think about a career that interests you. Determine what suggestion(s) below may best prepare you to sample a career. Talk about your interests with your family as well as your guidance counselor and teachers. They may be able to help you identify the best try-on option for you.

Community Programs
Organizations such as 4-H Clubs, the YMCA, and YWCA offer classes in, training for, and exposure to a variety of careers and hobbies. You may find that the hobby you explore in a YMCA class excites you enough to consider a related career.

Cooperative Education Programs
Your school may have a work-study program which allows you to go to school (usually in the morning) and then go to a job in the afternoon. You are usually paid for your work on the job.

Entrepreneurship
Students across the nation are discovering the responsibility and freedom of being an entrepreneur - individuals who assume the risks and rewards of a business enterprise.

Explorer Posts
Explorer Posts are career orientation groups formed by the Boy Scouts of America and open to young men and women in grades 9-12. As an Explorer, you will get to meet other students who share your career interests as well as people already working in the field. Meetings take place at the "post" so you can see the workplace and its employees, and talk to experts who are interested in young people.

Internships
You will "earn while you learn" in an internship. For the most part, internships are offered to college students; however, some organizations offer internships to high school students to encourage them to consider careers in fields such as science and math.

Occupation Interviews
You will have the opportunity to interview an individual who holds your dream job. By asking him/her questions, you will obtain some answers which might aid your decision-making.

Part-time Jobs
Students often view part-time jobs as just a way to get pocket money. But a part-time job can help you determine the pluses and minuses of a particular career. Determine what type of career interests you have, and contact appropriate businesses or organizations. They may have a need for part-time help and will appreciate your desire to learn more about their business.

School Clubs
Joining a school club that focuses on your career interests puts you in touch with other students with similar interests. Often, the club advisor can arrange for guest speakers, tours, and other career-learning opportunities. Depending on the club, its activities may give you hands-on experience as well.

Shadowing
Shadowing gives you the chance to observe someone on the job. For most of the day, you will watch, listen, ask questions, and learn as the person you are shadowing does his or her job. Shadowing experiences last only a day or two.

Specialized Summer Camps/Schools
You can learn more about careers in data processing, the fine arts, mathematics, journalism, and other fields by attending specialized summer camps. Your day will be spent in classes, defining your skills and learning more about your area of interest.

Temporary Help Firms
A temporary help firm will test your skills and attempt to refer you to suitable short-term or temporary assignments. You can find out how much you enjoy using your secretarial, word processing, data processing, and other skills while you are paid. You will also get the insider's view of companies and organizations in your area.

Volunteer Work
Volunteering your time to an organization allows you to learn more about a job while gaining some experience. Religious and political groups, community service organizations, charities, schools, hospitals, child care, and senior centers often need enthusiastic volunteers willing to give their time in exchange for work experience.