Career information

• Personal contacts.

  The people closest to you—your family and friends—are often overlooked, but can be extremely helpful. They may be able to answer your questions directly or, more importantly, put you in touch with someone else who can. This "networking" can lead to an "informational interview," where you can meet with someone who is willing to answer your questions about a career or a company, and who can provide inside information on related fields and other helpful hints. This is a highly effective way to learn the recommended type of training for certain positions, how someone in that position entered and advanced, and what he or she likes and dislikes about the work.

• Public libraries, career centers, and guidance offices.

  These places maintain a great deal of career material. To begin your library search, look at the computer listings under "vocations" or "careers" and then under specific fields. Check the periodicals section, where you will find trade and professional magazines and journals about specific occupations and industries. Familiarize yourself with the concerns and activities of potential employers by skimming their annual reports and other information they distribute to the public. You can also find occupational information on video cassettes, in kits, and through computerized information systems. Most public libraries maintain a relatively up-to-date collection of occupational or career materials. Don't forget the librarians; they can be a great source of information and can save you time by directing you to the information you need.

  Check career centers for programs such as individual counseling, group discussions, guest speakers, field trips, and career days. Also, leaf through any files of pamphlets that describe employment in different organizations.

  Always assess career guidance materials carefully. Information should be current. Beware of materials that seem to glamorize the occupation, overstate the earnings, or exaggerate the demand for workers; some schools may produce such materials to attract students.

• Counselors.

  You may wish to seek help from a counselor. These professionals are trained to help you discover your strengths and weaknesses, guide you through an evaluation of your goals and values, and help you determine what you want in a career. The counselor will not tell you what to do, but will administer interest inventories and aptitude tests, interpret the results, and help you explore your options. Counselors also may be able to discuss local job markets, and the entry requirements and costs of the schools, colleges, or training programs offering preparation for the kind of work that interests you. You can find counselors in:
  • high school guidance offices
  • college career planning and placement offices
  • placement offices in private vocational/technical schools and institutions
  • vocational rehabilitation agencies
  • counseling services offered by community organizations
  • private counseling agencies and private practices
  • State employment service offices affiliated with the U.S. Employment Service

  Before employing the services of a private counselor or agency, seek recommendations and check their credentials. The International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) accredits counseling services throughout the country. To receive the listing of accredited services for your region, send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to:

  IACS, 101 South Whiting St., Suite 211, Alexandria, VA 22304.

  The Directory of Counseling Services, an IACS publication providing employment counseling and other assistance, may be available in your library or school career counseling center. A list of certified career counselors by State can be obtained from:

  The National Board of Certified Counselors, 3 Terrace Way, Suite D, Greensboro, NC 27403-3660. Phone: (910) 547-0607.

• Internet networks and resources.

  The growth of on-line listings has made available a wide variety of resources at your fingertips—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—if you have access to the Internet. Companies, professional societies, academic institutions, and government agencies maintain on-line resources or "home pages" which are updated regularly with the latest information on their organization and it's activities.

  Listings include information such as government documents, schedules of events, job openings, and even networking contacts. Listings for academic institutions provide links to career counseling and placement services through career resource centers, as well as information on financing your education. Colleges and universities also offer on-line guides to campus facilities and admission requirements and procedures.

  The variety of career information databases available through the Internet provide much of the same information available through libraries, career centers, and guidance offices. However, no single network or resource will contain all desired information, so be prepared to search a lot of different places for what you need. As in a library search, look through various lists by field or discipline, or by using particular "keywords." It may even be helpful to consult a reference book such as The Internet Yellow Pages, which should be available in most libraries.

• Professional societies, trade associations, labor unions, business firms, and educational institutions.

  These organizations provide a variety of free or inexpensive career material. Many of these are identified in the sources of additional information section of each Handbook statement. For information on occupations not covered in the Handbook, consult directories in your library's reference section for the names of potential sources. You may need to start with The Guide to American Directories or The Directory of Directories. Another useful resource is The Encyclopedia of Associations, an annual multivolume publication listing trade associations, professional societies, labor unions, and fraternal and patriotic organizations.

  The National Technical Information Service Center, a central source for all audiovisual material produced by the U.S. Government, rents and sells material on jobs and careers. For a catalog, contact:

  NTIS, Springfield, VA 22161. Phone: 1-800-788-6282.

  For first-hand experience in an occupation, you may wish to intern, or take a summer or part-time job. Some internships offer academic credit or pay a stipend. Check with guidance offices, college career resource centers, or directly with employers.

• Organizations for specific groups.

  The organizations listed below provide information on career planning, training, job opportunities, or public policy support for specific groups. Consult directories in your library's reference center or a career guidance office for information on additional organizations and associations geared towards special groups.

  • Disabled:

    President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, 1331 F St. NW., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20004. Phone: (202) 376-6200.

  • The blind:

    Information on the free national reference and referral service provided by the Federation of the Blind can be obtained by contacting:

    Job Opportunities for the Blind (JOB), National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson St., Baltimore, MD 21230. Phone: toll-free, 1-800-638-7518, or locally (410) 659-9314.

  • Minorities:

    The National Urban League is a nonprofit community-based social service and civil rights organization that assists African-Americans in the achievement of social and economic equality. There are 113 local affiliates throughout the country that provide services related to employment and job training, and education and career development. Contact the affiliate nearest you for information.

    National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 4805 Mount Hope Dr., Baltimore, MD 21215. Phone: (410) 358-8900.

  • Older workers:

    National Association of Older Workers Employment Services, c/o National Council on the Aging, 409 3rd St. SW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 479-1200.

    American Association of Retired Persons, Workforce Program Department, 601 E St. NW., Floor A5, Washington, DC 20049. Phone: (202) 434-2040.

    Asociación Nacional Por Personas Mayores (National Association for Hispanic Elderly), 2727 W. 6th St., Suite 270, Los Angeles, CA 90057. Phone: (213) 487-1922. (This organization specifically serves low-income, minority persons who are 55 years of age and older.)

    National Caucus/Center on Black Aged, Inc., 1424 K St. NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: (202) 637-8400.

  • Veterans:

    Contact the nearest regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs or contact:

    Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-1315, Washington, DC 20210. Phone: (202) 219-9116.

  • Women:

    U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone: (202) 219-6652.

    Catalyst, 250 Park Ave. South, 5th floor, New York, NY 10003. Phone: (212) 777-8900.

    Wider Opportunities for Women, 815 15th St. NW., Suite 916, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: (202) 638-3143.

    Federal laws, executive orders, and selected Federal grant programs bar discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and handicap. Information on how to file a charge of discrimination is available from U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission offices around the country. Their addresses and telephone numbers are listed in telephone directories under U.S. Government, EEOC, or are available from:

    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L St. NW., Washington, DC 20507. Phone: (202) 663-4900

    Information on Federal laws concerning fair labor standards such as the minimum wage and equal employment opportunity can be obtained from:

    Office of Public Affairs, Employment Standards Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room C-4325, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone: (202) 219-8743.

Education and training information

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