Test an interest

Give one career possibility a closer look through a small experience. Ask a useful question, choose an activity, and record what it teaches you about the work and yourself.

Time: 10 minutes to plan, time for your chosen activity, and 10–15 minutes to reflect • Use: anywhere • Keep: an experience plan and reflection.

Choose a free or affordable activity that fits your circumstances. Bring a career profile from Step 2 if you have one, and keep your notes in a notebook or document. You can work independently or involve a teacher, mentor, adviser, or someone you trust.

1. Choose one question to investigate

Select a career or type of work from your shortlist. Look at its daily tasks and the questions you still have. Choose one question that a small activity could help answer.

Examples: “Do I enjoy explaining a process?” “What does troubleshooting involve?” “How much of this role involves working with other people?” “Which parts of the daily routine would I like to understand better?”

Write: “I am exploring… My question is… I currently think… An experience that could help me learn more is…” You do not need to prove your first impression right.

2. Choose one manageable activity

Start with one option. A conversation, course, project, and workplace visit each reveal something different. Pick the one you can arrange and that best addresses your question.

A. Have a career conversation

Ask someone who knows the work for a short conversation in person, by phone, or online. A school, trusted contact, professional association, or community organization may help you find someone. One person’s experience is a perspective to compare with other evidence.

Possible invitation: “I’m exploring [career] and would like to understand the daily work. Would you be available for a 15–20-minute conversation? I have a few questions and can work around your availability.”

Ask: What does a typical day involve? Which tasks take most of your time? What is challenging? How did you enter the field? What would you suggest a beginner try? What do students often misunderstand? Thank them afterward and note what you learned. Ask permission before recording.

B. Try a beginner project

Choose a small task using materials you already have. For example, explain a process in a one-page guide, design a poster for an imaginary event, organize a simple budget with fictional figures, or write a small program using a beginner tutorial.

Set a clear finish point, such as one draft, one working example, or 45 minutes of practice. Record what you tried and where you needed help. Choose tasks suited to your experience; practical work with tools or equipment may require supervision.

C. Sample an introductory course

Choose one introductory lesson related to a task or subject in the career. Check the level, time, cost, and equipment requirements. Complete a small exercise if available, then note whether you want to explore further.

OpenLearn provides free learning materials. Reading content does not require an account; enrolment and participation records do. Its badges and participation statements do not carry formal qualification credit. Sampling a subject gives one part of the picture of a career.

D. Arrange a supervised workplace visit

Through a trusted school or organization, ask whether a suitable visit or job-shadowing activity is available. Agree the purpose, timing, permissions, supervision, and what you may observe or do before attending. If you are under 18, involve a parent, guardian, or responsible school or organization contact.

During the visit, observe tasks, teamwork, routines, and working conditions. Follow the host’s instructions and privacy rules. Keep to agreed activities and ask which parts of the work you have not seen.

3. Write your experience plan

About 10 minutes. Copy these prompts into your notes. Keep the activity small enough to complete and useful enough to answer your question.

Career or work I am exploring: …

My question and current impression: …

Activity I will try, and why it fits the question: …

Date, duration, place, or online resource: …

Materials, costs, access, or support I need: …

Person to contact and arrangements to confirm, if relevant: …

What I will keep as evidence: notes, a small piece of work, feedback, or an observation summary…

My reflection date: …

If I cannot arrange this activity, an alternative I can try is: …

4. Reflect on what happened

About 10–15 minutes, soon after the activity. Record observations before drawing conclusions. Separate what you experienced from what you expected.

What I did: What tasks did I try or observe? What did the person explain?

What engaged me: Which parts held my attention or made me want to learn more?

What was difficult: Did I lack a skill, need clearer instructions, face an access barrier, or dislike the task itself?

What surprised me: Which assumption changed? What did I learn about working conditions, responsibilities, or the route into the role?

Evidence and limits: What notes, work, or feedback support my view? What parts of the career did this activity leave unexplored?

My question: What can I answer now? What remains uncertain?

Being inexperienced or finding a first task difficult does not settle whether a career is suitable. Consider what practice or a different activity could help you understand. A positive first experience also leaves more to investigate.

5. Choose what to do with your learning

Write: “Based on this experience, I want to… because… My next question is… My next step will be…”

You might explore the same option further, try a different task within it, or return to another career on your shortlist. Update the relevant career profile and your personal profile if you learned something new.

If you want to keep exploring this direction, move to Step 4 to compare education and training routes. Bring your notes and the requirements you still need to verify.

About this guide

This is an original St. James Institute activity and reflection guide. It welcomes students and young adults wherever they live. External learning resources operate independently.

• OpenLearn: access and course information
• For teachers and mentors: OECD research on career conversations

Resource links checked October 2, 2026.