The Occupational Outlook Handbook is the key source for this task.
- nature of the work for various occupations
- training needed
- employment outlook (which jobs are in demand)
- potential salary
It's available in print and on the Web, is updated frequently, and provides references for further reading.
America's Career InfoNet incorporates information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook and provides even more data, geared to the state level. Using this source, you can search by state to locate:
- fastest growing occupations
- occupations with the most job openings
- highest paying occupations in that location
Videos that provide an overview of work in the field are also available for many occupations.
Search your library catalog to find recent books that will provide more detailed information about an occupation. Here's a search strategy that will yield useful results:
- Start with a keyword search. Use words to describe the occupational area (nursing, teaching, etc.) and the word "careers."
- Examine a record for a relevant book. Click on the linked subject heading (such as "teaching -- vocational guidance") to find more like it.
Articles can also provide current information about trends, critical issues, and employment prospects in a particular field. Search in a general (all subjects) article database to find articles like the one shown in the illustration.
Some article databases (also called periodical indexes) are available from your library. There are also some free article databases on the Web:
- FindArticles.com (also called BNet Research Center)
- MagPortal.com
Professional and trade magazines and journals are aimed at those working in a particular field. They cover trends and news, and provide articles with very practical information. They are useful when you are exploring careers in that field or are job hunting (many include job listings or classifieds). Find them by using a Web directory:
- Browse Yahoo! Directory: Trade Magazines.
- Search the Directory for a profession and the word "magazine." For example: law AND magazine