GHC Counseling and Advising Center

Career Information

How Can I Assess My Interests, Skills, Abilities, Values, and Personality?
The first step in any career decision-making process is to gather information about yourself. It is very important to have an understanding of your interests, skills, abilities, values, personal experiences, and personality. The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be for you to identify the type of career path you want.

At the Counseling and Advising Center we can help you assess these traits through exercises and a variety of online and paper assessment instruments.

Occupational Research
The following resources are available in the Center to help you in assessing your qualities and assist you in the career decision-making process. We suggest you use as many as possible.

For Information on Choosing a Major: What Can I do with this Major?

Online Resources:

WOIS / The Career Information System (link works on-campus only)
Descriptions - Explore job duties, wages, advancement opportunities and training requirements for more than 330 occupations in Washington state. You can also read about schools and educational programs that relate to your career choices.
Tools and activities - WOIS includes a variety of online instruments to assess your interests, skills and values and match them to occupations.
Search - Look for occupations that have titles containing specific words.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook. This is a Department of Labor guide outlining career outlook, preparation, employment & earnings for 250 occupations employing 85% of the US population. TIP : Select the "Index to the Handbook" link or the "Occupational Cluster" link.

Job Profiles
Complete an informational interview on-line! Experience the personal side of work by reading job profiles written by experienced workers in over 200 different jobs. Workers share the rewards and challenges of their job, along with information on basic skill requirements and advice for entering the field.

Whether you are completing high school, enrolled in college, or looking for a fulfilling career change, we can show you pathways to a new teaching career. Most future teachers will select a traditional college-level certification program. Experienced, degree-holding professionals may qualify for alternative certfication programs. Either way, we can help you get started on the right path.

Website for the Washington State Employment Security Office. TIP : You can access current labor market information by selecting the "Labor Market Information" icon.

This website has loads of occupation information with many links. It even has video presentations for over 200 different careers.

Medhunters.com features jobs in healthcare, valuable advice on the job search, and entertaining and informative stories about healthcare professionals and issues in healthcare.

Information Sheets & Booklets:

Brochures for GHC Vocational Degrees
Information brochures are available for each of the vocational degrees offered here at Grays Harbor College. These colorful, easy-to-read brochures provide information on required courses and job opportunities after graduation.

Washington State Occupational Outlook 1995-2005
This is a quick reference guide for identifying fast growing occupations, declining occupations, and occupations in greatest demand based on your education level. Guides for occupational information within specific Washington State counties are also available in the Career Center. Published by the WA State Employment Security Department.

Where Are You Going?
A guide to careers and occupations in Washington State. This 162-page booklet provides adults and students with advice on careers, what opportunities exist, what salaries are offered, and where to obtain training. Also included information on resume writing and job search. Maintained by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Download Career Guide in PDF Format.

Books, Videos, and-- of course, Counselors:

Counselors are always available to assist you either for a brief (10-minute) walk-in visit or scheduled appointments. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone who can show you how to access the resources listed above.

See Also:

For Information on Choosing a Major:
What Can I do with this Major?

Academic Advising | Placement Testing | Transfer Info.

Grays Harbor College
Counseling and Advising Center
Hillier Union Building
Aberdeen, WA 98520

(360) 538-4049, 1-800-562-4830, TDD/YYD (360) 538-4223
e-mail: counseling