Fran jumped into her home delivery meal service without researching similar businesses. She soon gave it up because she had to work extra hours. Ben knew all about his options before returning to school. He loves teaching. 

Researching career options takes time, but the benefits are numerous. It reduces uncertainty, tempers fantasies and saves considerable time, energy and money. In addition to knowing yourself, researching career options is a key to making a good choice. It's also a great way to expand your thinking about your career and discover new alternatives. 

Before you embark on your new venture, explore more than three career options, and check such things as the number of positions listed in the want ads, salary, benefits, employment outlook, advancement opportunities,  duties, work environment and education and licensing requirements. Find out what personal qualities are best suited to the job, how to get your foot in the door,  what kind of lifestyle the workers have and what kind of occupations are related to the field.  

Also look at yourself, considering the minimum wage you can live on, what education you need to fill the gap between the skills you possess and the job requirements, how you’ll support yourself during training, what you consider as the job’s advantages and disadvantages, and how the job fits your attributes and desired lifestyle.

Here are sources of valuable information.

-- Printed materials. Directories, pamphlets and books, available in libraries, college, university or community career centers contain excellent information. Useful directories include the “National Occupational Classification,” the “Dictionary of Occupational Titles” and the “Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance.” 

--The Internet. This has excellent sites for exploring general occupational fields, job trends and university and college programs.  Most professional and business associations have web pages that provide information and link you to additional resources.

-- Rehearsing. This involves "trying out" an occupation to determine your suitability or "fit." Obtain an evening or weekend job or work as a volunteer or intern during your vacation. Consider taking a job on probation while you enjoy a sabbatical, or enroll in a course offered by an educational institution, professional association or industry. 

-- Shadowing. Spend a few days following a professional in an occupation you're considering. This can illustrate the day-to-day job realities and give you a "feel" for the work environment.  Shadowing can also develop into mentoring relationships and networking contacts. Some large companies have job shadowing programs with   eligibility criteria. But many smaller ones don't.  Speak with the human resources department, or, in a very small company, the manager.

-- Informational interviews. These are excellent information sources and can be fun. People like talking about themselves and their jobs. Interviews are a great networking tool. They can also uncover a prospective employer's needs and may lead to a position. 

Conduct as many as possible with professionals in the field. Contact friends, relatives, colleagues, and personnel in human resources departments or representing professional, trade, labor or business associations to locate knowledgeable professionals. Check the Gale Research Inc.'s “Encyclopedia of Associations” and other guides in the library.  

Ask: How did you get started in this work? What's a typical day like? What do you like most and least about your work? What challenges do you deal with? How are the working conditions -- hours, travel, physical demands? What skills are required? Where can I get these, how long it will take and what financial assistance is available? 

Who else would you suggest I speak with? What professional associations should I contact? Would you enter the field if you could do it over? Do you have any advice? Follow-up with a thank–you note. 

-- Additional resources. You can get good information by attending career fairs, touring businesses, enrolling in career guidance courses, working through a computer guidance system available at some career centers, and viewing audio visual materials provided by some industries. 

After you've investigated each option, write down your thoughts. Do you have the skills or can you acquire those needed to become successful? Does the occupation fit your personality, interests, needs, passion and desired lifestyle? Do your family and friends believe you're suited to this work?

Use your intellect and intuition to determine the right path. Then develop a plan to attain your goal. Remember, if you follow your heart you'll make the right decision. 

For more information, check out Questers Dare to Change, found above.