Colleges, schools, and training institutes readily reply to requests for information about their programs. When contacting these institutions, you may want to keep in mind the following items:

• Admission requirements
• Courses offered
• Certificates or degrees awarded
• Cost
• Available financial aid
• Location and size of school
• Placement rate of graduates

Check with professional and trade associations for lists of schools that offer career preparation in a field in which you are interested. High school guidance offices and libraries usually have copies of the directories listed below, as well as college catalogs that can provide more information on spe-cific institutions.

America’s Learning Exchange, a Department of Labor website, is a valuable resource for anyone searching for specific training courses. It provides a searchable database that includes more than 6,000 training providers, offering more that 350,000 programs, seminars, and courses. Internet: http://www.alx.org

The Department of Education’s IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) program has an interactive school search system. You can search for any postsecondary school, focusing your search for a school based upon many factors: number of students, type of school (two-year colleges, four-year colleges, trade schools), public or privately funded institutions, instructional programs and fields of study (majors), accreditation, and geographic location. Once you’ve narrowed your choices, the site provides more detailed information on specific schools, including contact information. There also are links to helpful sites. Internet: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/index.asp

The Directory of Private Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, put out by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, is a helpful resource. Be sure to use the latest edition because these directories and catalogs are revised periodically. Information about home or correspondence study programs appears in the Directory of Accredited Institutions. Send requests for the Directory and a list of other publications to:

• Distance Education and Training Council, 1601 18th St. NW., Washington, DC 20009-2529. Phone: (202) 234-5100. Internet: http://www.detc.org

Information about apprenticeships is available from local labor unions, school guidance counselors, and State employment offices or from:

• Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone: (202) 693-3812. Internet: http://www.doleta.gov/individ/apprent.asp

Completing an internship is an excellent way for students and others to learn about an occupation and to make valuable contacts. Many employers offer internships that provide short-term or part-time job experience that can lead to a permanent position. Contact your school’s career guidance center or employers directly regarding internship opportunities.