Making Choices

As you plan your career, you will be making decisions. Before you can make decisions, you should know which choices are available to you. Let's say you want to do a program in robotics. (Robotics involves the design, programming, operation and repair of robots.) You must first find out where you can do such a course. Then you compare the different programs and decide which ones to apply to. If you are accepted for more than one training program, you then have to choose which one to do. Make sure you have enough information to make a good decision.

Information on career planning is available from HRD offices, high schools and private employment agencies. The Government of New-foundland and Labrador sponsors a toll-free Career Information Hotline. The number is 1-800-563-6600.

The provincial Department of Employment and Labour Relations has produced a useful booklet called Open Your Own Doors. This booklet takes you through the steps involved in career planning. It gives lists of occupations in different career areas. You can get a copy of this booklet if you ask for it from the Career Information Hotline. Another useful booklet is called Smart Moves. It was produced by people at the HRDC office in Gander.

Career Planning Programs

There are programs to help you with your career plans. One of these is a computer program called CHOICES. You will find this program in many high schools, adult education centres and employment centres. The way CHOICES works is very simple. You enter information about your interests, aptitudes, preferences and other things into the computer. The program then gives you lists of suitable careers and other information. You can get printouts about different careers as well as information on training programs. Make arrangements to do such a program if you can. But don't expect the career program to make decisions for you. You must make your own decisions.

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