Researching Careers
Ways to Research Careers
Printed Materials - Available in RACC Career Center, Yocum Library, public libraries, and bookstores. Career Center Specialties:
- Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
- Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance (ECVG)
- Vocational Biographies
- 25 Jobs That Have it All
- Great Careers in Two Years
- 300 Best Jobs without a Four Year Degree
- What can I do with a Major in (Criminology, Psychology, etc.)
DISCOVER: Computerized Career Guidance Program with Occupational Information - available by appointment in Career Center, or at home with Career Center ID assigned.
INTERNET: Many websites with information. You can get websites using Google to search different specific careers. Try some of these and they will link you to other sites:
- www.bls.gov/oco/ - Provides up-to-date information on careers and projected future growth of careers. This is an online version of the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Entries describe nature of the work, working conditions, links to related occupations, employment statistics, training and education needed, job outlook, earnings, and sources of additional information. Search by job title or broad category (construction, professional, armed forces, etc.)
- http://online.onetcenter.org/ - Excellent, comprehensive information on job requirements and competencies such as knowledge, skills, abilities, interests and work values. This site also features salaries for Pennsylvania compared to U.S. mean salaries.
- www.quintcareers.com - Is a comprehensive career development site with articles, tools, tips and samples, tutorials on careers, jobs and colleges.
- www.jobweb.com/Career_Development/ - Contains a useful section on career development process with links to college majors
- www.jobprofiles.org - Firsthand accounts from successful individuals in a variety of careers
- www.careerjournal.com - Wall Street Journal?s site loaded with all sorts of career information and articles.
Personal Contacts - Talk to family members, friends, relatives, faculty, staff, etc. Ask questions about their jobs/careers.
Informational Interviewing - Contact individuals who you may not know personally, but who are in careers that might interest you. Set up an appointment to talk to them and bring a list of questions that you would like to know about what they do in their job.This is good practice for actual job interviewing, and you need to send a thank you note after you speak to them.
Internships/Cooperative Education/Volunteer Experiences - Arranging real life experiences will give you first hand knowledge about the career you are considering.