How
To Use The Occupational Section
The Occupational Information section of the Career Outlook
is broken into the six interest areas:
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve
working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression,
and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. Artistic
workers are: Creative; Open; Independent; Impulsive; Complicated; Introspective;
Courageous; Expressive; Emotional; Imaginative; Intuitive; Original; Idealistic;
and Sensitive. Artistic people like to: Attend concerts, theaters, and
art exhibits; Read fiction, plays, and poetry; Work on crafts; Take photographs;
Express themselves creatively; and Deal with ambiguous ideas.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently
involve following set procedure and routines. These occupations can include
working with data and details more than ideas. Usually there is a clear
line of authority to follow. Conventional workers are: Accurate; Methodical;
Conscientious; Persistent; Thrifty; Practical; Orderly; Polite; Efficient;
and Systematic. Conventional people like to: Work with numbers; Type (use
a keyboard); Be responsible for details; Collect or organize things; Follow
defined procedures; and Use data processing equipment.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently
involve starting and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve
leading people and making decisions. Sometime they require risk taking
and often deal with business. Enterprising workers are: Assertive; Persuasive;
Inquisitive; Adventurous; Impulsive; Enthusiastic; Sociable; Ambitious;
Energetic; Popular; Talkative; and Extroverted. Enterprising people like
to: Make decisions; Be elected to office; Win a leadership award; Start
their own business; Meet important people; and Have power or status.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently
involve working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking.
These occupations can involve searching for the facts and figuring out
problems mentally. Investigative workers are: Inquisitive; Logical; Observant;
Introspective; Reserved; Complex; Self-confident; Broadminded; Precise;
Curious; Analytical; Cautious; Scientific; Scholarly; and Intellectual.
Investigative people like to: Explore a variety of ideas; Use computers;
Work independently; Perform lab experiments; Read scientific or technical
journals; Analyze data; and Do research.
• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve
work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They often deal with plants, animals and real-world materials like wood,
tools and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside and
do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. Realistic
Workers are: Practical; Thrifty; Frank; Mechanically inclined; Independent;
Curious; Self-controlled; Stable; Ambitious; Reserved; Athletic; Concrete;
Persistent; and Systematic. Realistic people like to: Tinker with machines/vehicles;
Work outdoors; Work on electronic equipment; Be physically active; Use
their hands; Tend and train animals; and Build things.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve
working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations
often involve helping or providing service to others. Social workers are:
Helpful; Understanding; Cooperative; Empathetic; Friendly; Forgiving;
Insightful; Kind; Outgoing; Idealistic; Generous; and Patient. Social
people like to: Work in groups; Help people with problems; Participate
in meetings; Do volunteer work; Play team sports; Serve others; and Work
with children.
Each of the Interest Areas of the Occupational Section is broken into
the education/training requirements of:
• High School • One or Two Years of College • Four or
More Years of College
These levels of education give a general idea of the amount of education
or training a person would need for an entry level position. The amount
of education and training a person has in a given area will affect their
progress on their career ladder.
Explanation of the six columns in the Occupational Section (of the hard-copy
of the Career Outlook):
• Occupational Title and Description - the most
commonly used title for the occupation and a description that provides
a general idea of the tasks associated with this occupation. The (M),
just after the title, indicates that this occupation exists in the military.
• Suggested High School Program of Study - Relates
to one (or more) of the five Program of Study Clusters found on pages
20 & 21 of the Career Outlook. The high school courses listed in each
of the Clusters provide a guide for students to use in selecting appropriate
courses that are based on the occupations in which they are interested.
• Educational/Training Sites - Relates to one
of the postsecondary education/training program found on pages 23-26,
which lists the post-high school programs that will prepare them for a
given occupation.
• Nat’l Employment, ND Emp/Annual Openings, ND Earnings
- National Employment indicates the number of persons employed in this
occupation in the United States. ND Employment/Annual Openings indicates
the number of persons employed in this occupation in North Dakota with
the projected number of job openings each year shown after the slash.
The arrows indicate the projected growth of this occupation for the nation
and for North Dakota:
Much faster than average (Over 3.6% per year) upward pointing arrow;
Faster than average (2-3.5% per year) arrow pointing up and to the right;
Stable (0-1.9% per year) horizontal arrow pointing to the right; and
Declining in employment (Less than 0% per year) arrow pointing down
and to the right.
ND Earnings is a range of salaries for those employed in the occupation
in the State. Some salaries will have a “US” at the end, which
indicates that North Dakota salaries were not available, so a national
average was used.
• Related Occupations - A listing of occupations
that are similar in work performed on the job.
• Hiring Practices and References - Information
or hints to enhance opportunities for entering this occupation. Preferred
specific training, minimum requirements, preferred experiences, required
licensing, and types of businesses employing the occupation are given.
Three cross-references are provided to assist in locating additional information
on the occupation. The Career Cluster refers to one or more of the 16
clusters of occupations, which arranges occupations by the most predominant
businesses that employ this occupation. The OOH (Occupational Outlook
Handbook) will enable the reader to research the occupation in more detail.
This publication can be found in the counselor’s office, the school
or city library, or at: www.bls.gov/oco/.
The O*NET code will help the reader to further define the occupation.
O*NET occupations are found at: http://www.onetcenter.com/.
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