As the spring of 2025 unfolds, many high school and college graduates in South Dakota are facing the perennial question: “What’s next?” This question is crucial not just for individuals but also for the state’s economy, as these young adults represent the new wave of supply in the job market. In response to this, the South Dakota Labor Market Information Center has become a pivotal resource, offering free online tools to guide residents toward the right career choice.
These tools do not require a username or password, making them accessible to everyone in South Dakota. The tools are designed to reflect the current job market trends and give users insight into their career paths.
Understanding South Dakota’s Career Landscape
Before selecting a career, it’s important to understand personal attributes such as interests, personality, skills, and values. This self-awareness forms the foundation for making informed career decisions. The South Dakota Career Interest Survey (SDCIS) is an invaluable resource in this process. Available online in PDF and Excel formats, it helps individuals identify work activities that align with their interests through a straightforward survey that evaluates enjoyment across 108 activities.
Each survey result falls into six categories: Realistic, Enterprising, Artistic, Social, Investigative, and Conventional. These categories are collectively known as REASIC areas, based on John Holland’s career theory. Participants are encouraged to explore careers within their top three REASIC areas, but they are also free to delve into other interest areas.
South Dakota aims to provide a holistic view of its employment opportunities, ensuring that the career recommendations from SDCIS are precisely tailored to the state’s needs and job market.
Exploring Occupations of Interest in South Dakota
Armed with their survey results, users can access the Exploring Occupations of Interest page to explore a wide range of careers available in South Dakota. This online resource provides detailed insights into what workers do, how much they earn, the projected job outlook, education requirements, and the current job openings within the state. Each job title includes a linked code to O*Net, a comprehensive national database that offers additional details such as necessary skills, tasks involved, and broader job outlook across the country.
The guidance provided by the South Dakota Department of Education ensures that students and job seekers align their career exploration with real-time labor market data.
Exploring Careers by Clusters
Another strategic approach to career exploration is by examining career clusters. Career clusters are broad groups of similar occupations such as Construction, Healthcare and Human Services, or Marketing and Sales. These clusters have been updated to match the new National Career Cluster Framework, offering a more cohesive and organized way to view job opportunities.
Users can navigate the career cluster resources, and by selecting a specific cluster, they will see a list of careers within that category. By clicking on any career title or its linked code, they can learn more about the job’s specifics at both the state and national levels.
Labor Market Information Center South Dakota
This exploration method is particularly beneficial for students, parents, and individuals contemplating a career change, offering a broad perspective on various career options.
Preparing for Future Opportunities
The South Dakota Labor Market Information Center’s updated tools and resources are designed to cultivate a proactive approach to career exploration. Whether it’s understanding personal characteristics through the SDCIS or diving into specific occupations and clusters, South Dakotans can prepare for successful careers that align with the state’s economic needs.
With no “right” or “wrong” career choice, these resources emphasize informed decision-making. As the saying goes, “Don’t wait for opportunity to knock—go out and give it directions!” This guiding principle resonates with the pioneering spirit of South Dakota’s residents, who are encouraged to chart their path in the ever-evolving job market.
For more information or assistance, interested individuals can contact the South Dakota Labor Market Information Center via email at info@sdworkforceinfo.org.
Embrace the journey of career exploration with these robust tools, and equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate the dynamic landscape of opportunities that South Dakota proudly offers.