The document contains two sample career research reflections. The first reflection is about researching a career as a veterinarian. It summarizes that the career is expected to grow 33% by 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, but is very competitive. It will require over six years of education at a selective college. The average veterinarian income is $79,050. The second reflection is about researching a career as a registered nurse. It summarizes that the Bureau of Labor Statistics website provided useful information about the various responsibilities of registered nurses, the education needed including a BSN or AND, and an average salary of $64,690. Registered nursing jobs are expected to increase 22% by 2018.

1. SAMPLE REFLECTIONS: CAREER RESEARCH
Sample 1
NAME
Graduation Project
DATE
Career Research Reflection
For years I have had the goal of being a veterinarian. In order to achieve that goal, I have
been researching the qualities of the job. One way that I have researched this job is through
electronic research. I used the site called Bureau of Labor Statistic (www.bls.gov) to research
my career. By learning more about the job, I will be more informed and more prepared to enter
the work field.
The veterinary field is one that is expected to grow in the next decade. Although this
field is expanding, veterinary science is very competitive as many people will enter the field. The
veterinarian field is expected to grow 33% from 2008-2018, according the US government’s
official statistics on the website www.bls.gov. In addition, demand for farm animal vets will be
exceptionally high because rural areas which require vet assistance don’t have enough
veterinarians in close proximity. For this job, I will need more than six years of education. The
very long schooling is due to the fact that students have to learn every animal’s body, unlike a
doctor who learns just the human body. Choosing the right college is important to get a
veterinarian job upon college graduation. My plan is to attend either Cornell or Ohio State which
are two schools that are extremely selective in their admissions. To get into a good college

2. program and then to advance in this career, students should have a lot of prior experience with
animals and veterinary medicine. Students also have to work really hard to keep a high GPA
during all levels of college. As a veterinarian, the average income is $79,050. This is a very
substantial wage that could provide me with the essentials that I need to live. As long as I plan
ahead and stay on track, I should achieve my goal of becoming a veterinarian.
Completing this research was extremely useful to me. Reading about the different
qualities included in the job showed me what parts of the job would challenge me. In contrast I
also learned the facets of the job in which I would excel. The Bureau of Labor Statistic
(www.bls.gov) site helped me learn even more about my career and what it will take to get there.
The more informed I am, the easier it will be to succeed in my job.
Sample 2
NAME
Graduation Project
DATE
Career Research Reflection
Thinking you will enjoy a career field is one thing; knowing you can make a living from
that field is another. To help confirm my career choice as a registered nurse, I did extra research
about nursing in general. The website that I found very helpful was an official government site
called the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). From this website, I learned all about a
registered nurses job in general, the education needed, average wage, and much more
information that was important to know about Registered Nurses.

3. There are numerous facts to know about RNs. I learned that registered nurses have
several different responsibilities. They treat patients, educate their patients of their medical
condition, provide emotional support to patient’s family, record patient’s medical history, assist
in diagnostic testing, and teach their patients how to deal/cope with their illness. The education
that is needed to become a RN includes a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an
associate degree in nursing (AND), and a diploma. The average wage for a RN is 64,690 dollars
per year. Registered nurses' jobs are expected to increase twenty-two percent by 2018, which is
an advantage. There are also ways for advancement. Most RNs begin as a staff nurse. The site
explains that you can advance through experience and good performance, which often means you
will move to another setting or are promoted to higher positions with more responsibilities. Some
areas that have the best demand, both job and money wise, include Alaska, California, and
Nevada. Some related fields that I might consider include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical
sonographs, and physician assistants. A professional organization that I might be interested in
joining some day is the ANA (American Nurse Association).
In conclusion, I learned several new facts from the official government website called the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), about registered nurses. From my research, I now feel
confident that I have reliable information that confirmed my career choice. My next step is to
research more and to do a project related to nursing. I am at last sure that the nursing field is
ideal for me.