ORTN 101 – 20 Dr. Rhodes

Researching Careers

September 27 & 29, 2006

Locating career information

"Finding your niche"- deciding on a career. There are many resources to help you decide on a career. Start by searching the library catalog for books on vocational guidance. Below are some helpful titles.

• Quick guide to college majors and careers (REF LB 2361.5. S53)
• Guide to college majors: everything you need to know to choose the right major (REF LB 2361.5 G85)
• Help! My Job Interview Is Tomorrow! (HF5381 .T26)
• Best jobs for the 21 st century (REF HF 5381.15 F37)
• Do what you are: discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type (Recreational Reading TIE Tieger, Paul D.)
• Finding your way with an MBA… (HF 5381 C6824)
• The guide to careers in sports (GV 734 K3)
• What color is your parachute: a practical guide for job-hunters and career changers (Leadership HF 5328.7 B64)

Researching a career. Once you have identified some career possibilities, learn more about them.

• Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://stats.bls.gov/oco/home.htm )
• Check all kinds of statistics at the Bureau of Statistics Homepage (http://stats.bls.gov )
• Wall Street Journal’s Executive Career Site (http://www.careerjournal.com)
• Go to Vault Online Career Library. Research your chosen field.
• Check the handout of suggested books (search catalog for call numbers)
• Search the library catalog for [your major] and career or [your career] and vocational guidance.

2. Continuing your education.

Many disciplines will require a standardized entrance exam. Go to Indexes and Databases and click on Learning Express Library (Learn a Test) to see (and take) practice tests.

Many careers will require further education. Find schools that will provide that education and training.

Guides to graduate schools

• Peterson’s College and University Almanac (REF L901.P452)
• Peterson’s annual guides/graduate studies (REF L901.P46)

3. International Handbook of Universities (REF L900.I58)

4. Gourmann Report, Graduate Rankings - REF LB2331.63. G68 [Reference desk]

5. US News & World Report rankings [usually published in April]

• Finding a job. Use journals and the web to research jobs that are currently available in your field.
• Locating journal articles about your career.
• Select Research Guides from the Library web site. Select your major discipline (or that most closely relates to your career goal).
• Choose one of the databases listed there and search for information about your career

• Locate a job in your field on the web.

Try using Google and searching for employment + “ your career choice”.

Try it: What job did you find? Is it a job you would like to have? Will you be qualified for it when you graduate from The Citadel?

Brainstorming on Career Possibilities

Picture yourself 3½ years from now. It is fall 2010, and you are about to graduate from The Citadel. How and where do you see yourself?

• Do you prefer working/interacting with others or alone?

• Do you prefer being indoors (e.g., working at a computer, in a lab, reading, writing, etc.) or out doors?

• Do you like to know what to expect each day, or do you prefer each day to be different?

• Do you like a routine or do you like to be surprised?

• Do you work well under stress or do you prefer calmness and order?

• Will you need additional education or training?