Use this guide 1) to research current and traditional jobs and career paths, 2) to peer into the future at emerging fields, and 3) to learn more about jobs you see in listings so that you can match qualifications to employer preferences in your cover letters and interviews.

BASIC RESOURCES

The Occupational Outlook Handbook. http://www.bls.gov/oco/
One of the most informative publications of the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the OOH presents 2-3 page summaries of jobs and career paths, complete with typical duties, work settings, preferred academic and experiential preparations, earnings, growth patterns, future outlooks, and sources to use to pursue additional information. Want to know what employers are looking for? Start here!

O'NET Online http://online.onetcenter.org/
A marvelous resource that incorporates career information and ways to identify career options based on one's perceived skills. Very valuable!

Career Info (Collegegrad.com) http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/
A valuable resource that allows for a keyword search of career information provided by the OOH (see above). Especially valuable since links are made to professional and trade associations, sites that provide even more career and networking potential and maybe even job postings!

WetFeet.Com. http://www.wetfeet.com/
Another multi-faceted site that profiles career fields, industries, companies, and employer recruiting practices. Prides itself on having "insider" information. Especially thorough treatments of various interviewing techniques.

TOMORROW'S JOBS AND CAREERS 

Tomorrow's Jobs.  http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco2003.htm
From the 2006-07 Occupational Outlook Handbook, this article discusses career trends and offers projections into the 21st century. Several charts illustrate the industry and demographic changes that will bring about demands and declines in the American workplace of the next decade.

Jobs with Staying Power. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/work/articles/040308/8hot.intro.htm
From USNews Online, a number of articles and helpful links covering hot jobs and other career-related developments.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

The resources cited above provide valuable information, but are definitely not the only sites on the Web addressing careers. Persons wanting more information on specific fields are invited to visit career services offices in their home colleges and the Center for Career Services' resource area, or email Helen Germain, the CCS' Resource Manager, for help identifying sites and other resources for specific fields.