The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has teamed up with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) on a new Going Mobile initiative that will help teens, young adults and those considering career changes to obtain realistic projections and information.
The Reality Check mobile app offers step-by-step instructions on how to evaluate a career, and obtain the education and training needed through a series of questions such as, “Where do you want to live?” and “What will you use for transportation?” Then it summarizes the monthly cost of these choices and generates a list of occupations that have the potential to meet this total. From there, users can explore each occupation’s educational requirements, typical tasks, work setting and salary range.
Reality Check can be downloaded at the Android or Apple app stores by searching “Illinois Reality Check.”
Also, the Career Information System (ilcis.intocareers.org) delivers localized occupational and career information in an intuitive, user-friendly, online format. It includes tools to learn about occupations, financial aid, apprenticeships, post-secondary schools and colleges. Salary information and job trends are available as well as information on self-employment and how military employment translates into the civilian arena.
