OK, this site has been around for a while, so it’s not a new thing. But it’s new to me.

Daniel Seddiqui is setting out to work 50 different jobs in all 50 U.S. states — and he’s doing so in 50 weeks.  Now that’s what I call “career exploration.”

Why pay attention to this job hopper as he puts miles on his car?

1. Daniel chooses each job based on the economy of that state. He often picks occupations that are either unique to that region or are in demand (expected to have higher-than-average job openings in the near future). This is a good snapshot of how a little labor market research can give direction to your job search.
2. Living the Map is a tour of the U.S. that most of us have not experienced. Daniel’s daily blog entries are not just about each week’s job, they are about the varied communities and people that he encounters. It’s good to be reminded of our country’s regional differences — and reminded of what makes us great.
3. This is the ultimate in job shadowing. Reading this blog give a (very) brief insight into what it’s like to work as a night club bouncer in N’Awlins, a meatpacker in Kansas, or work in a general store in Montana.

You don’t have to drive hundreds of miles to experience a new career. You can pick up the phone and do an informational interview with someone working in a job you like. Ask

• How did you get started in this career?
• What type of training is needed for this job?
• What is a typical day like on the job?
• What personality traits do successful people in this career have?

It’s not exciting enough to generate your own travel blog, but an informational interview will give you valuable information on a prospective career. So stop wondering what a job is like and ask someone.