The ONET Occupational Database - The Best Job Descriptions on the Internet

The ONET Occupational Databasewould be related, but found out otherwise.
The information I will describe below was developedI have known several computer programmers and
by United States Government agencies including butmany technical people who are also amateur
not limited to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Themusicians. I've read that the reason is that
ONET database is a treasure trove of occupationalprogrammers and musicians share a love of
data and is the largest of its kind.mathematics and patterns. To test that theory I
At the heart of the process is a concept called theanalyzed the ONET taxonomy to see how closely
ONET Content Model. Go to to read along. It will beComputer Programmers and Musicians were related.
helpful for your career search to be acquainted withComputer Programmers are categorized under SOC
the job titles that the leading occupational source15.
identifies as related occupations.Musicians are classified under SOC 27.
How They Do ItA search for 'Computer Programmer' returned 504
In order for the ONET database to provide what I calloccupations sorted by relevancy.
the 'transition trees' for every occupation, they neededMusic Directors and Music Teachers had a relevance
to develop a codification and classification system thatscore of 1 out of 100. This is the lowest score.
they call the SOC taxonomy. SOC stands forMathematical science teachers also had a relevance
Standard Occupational Classification and theof 1 out of 100.
taxonomy is a group of standardized characteristicsAccording to the experts at ONET, there is a weak
they use to develop job profiles in hundreds oflink between computer programmers and musicians on
occupations. The taxonomy includes 812 occupationalthe ONET Relevancy scale.
classifications/profiles today.Next, I followed the daisy chain of 'related occupations'.
Why It is Important for YouHere is what I found:
The ONET database is the only database thatLevel 1. Computer Programmer (SOC 15) is related to
combines and relates occupational classifications withComputer Operator (SOC 43)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.(KSA's). It is the KSALevel 2. Computer Operator is related to Desktop
library of characteristics that make up the backbonePublisher (SOC 43)
of every occupational profile. Each worker possess aLevel 3: Desktop Publisher is related to Film and Video
unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities - but youEditors (SOC 27)
also share commonalities among and between manyLevel 4: Film and Video Editors is related to Fine
other occupational profiles. These are referred to asArtists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
the 'related occupations' that are discussed and(SOC 27)
analyzed below.I searched on the Musician Occupation and found this:
The SOC TaxonomyLevel 1: Musician (instrumental) (SOC 27) is related to
Here is an example of how the Standard OccupationalFilm and Video Editors (SOC 27).
Classification (SOC) taxonomy model works. TheYet, there is no direct link from that title to Musician.
SOC was developed by the Department of labor toThe KSA profile seems to flow in one direction.
classify the entire population of occupations.Conclusion:
Occupations that share knowledge, skills, abilities andEveryone has an "X" factor. While the taxonomy is a
other characteristics are grouped within the samevaluable tool and I encourage everyone to use the
SOC family. Most of the occupations titles are stronglyONET system, let's recognize that creativity and
related, but sometimes titles you might think are relatedimagination cannot be placed in a box.
are not. I tested this theory on two titles that I assumed