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Career & Apprenticeships

Career Interest Inventories

An interest inventory is a self-assessment tool that assesses one’s likes and dislikes of a variety of activities, objects, and types of people with the premise that people in the same career (and satisfied in that career) have similar interests. They then compare those qualities with the qualities of people who are already working in specific careers. Interest inventories can be a great starting point in your search for a career that fits your personality, strengths and weaknesses.

Inventories contribute to career development as they utilize your likes and dislikes to help you navigate college majors or careers that might suit your interests. Knowing this information can help you to take the next step in researching different careers. Keep in mind that an interest inventory isn't the final step in your career exploration! Even the best inventories only offer suggestions that you will have to research further.

  • Career Interest Profiler in Naviance: "Do What You Are"
    • Naviance provides students with career assessment and personality tests and surveys to help students connect what they are doing in school to what they would like to do once they complete their education.
  • Indiana Career Explorer
    • Helps students learn about themselves, build an education plan, explore and prepare for the options after high school. Students research occupations and begin to develop a portfolio to display to potential employers or educational institutions.
  • 123Test
    • 123 test allows students to take an inventory based on the Holland Code, which is used to describe work environments and occupations
  • Career One Stop
    • Students can explore careers, find training and search for jobs on CareerOneStop.
  • Hoosier Hot 50
    • Provides students with a listing of the 50 fastest growing, high-wage jobs of tomorrow.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training from a master-level practitioner in an occupation with classroom instruction. Admittance to apprenticeship programs is highly competitive.

  • The trade unions consider school attendance very important and are interested in students that show commitment, motivation, and drive.
  • It is advised that students take classes in high school or at Ivy Tech related to the skill that they are interested in.
  • Classes such as Welding, Basic Electricity, Power Mechanics, Basic Construction, CAD, Metals, etc. help build your resume. Math grades are also very important as well as work experience.
  • Students should also be prepared to pass a drug screening.
  • Some apprenticeship programs offer college credits for completing their training. Others may partner with local colleges to provide discounted college tuition for union or apprenticeship members.
  • For more information on a specific trade, visit Indiana’s website for apprentice programs: https://www.inaflcio.org/apprenticeships-training. Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training  - This page is brought to you by the US Department of Labor.  It is a comprehensive site for for information on the various apprenticeship programs.
 
APPRENTICESHIPS
  • PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES FINISHING TRADES INSTITUTE
  • IRONWORKERS
  • HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS
  • BOILERMAKERS NATIONAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
  • ELECTRICAL WORKERS/NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COUNCIL
  • BRICKLAYERS MASONRY INSTITUTE
  • ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS NATIONAL ELEVATOR INDUSTRY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
  • PLASTERERS AND CEMENT MASONS
  • THE SHEET METAL WORKERS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
  • PLUMBERS AND PIPEFITTERS
  • UNITED UNION OF ROOFERS AND WATERPROOFERS
  • OPERATING ENGINEERS