Career Services

Resources for Choosing a Satisfying Career

 a handbook.,Job guide, a handbook of official information about employment opportunities in leading industries., Digital ID 496251, New York Public LibraryCareer development is a life-long process.

In today's technologically advanced American society, most of us will devote 40 to 50 years in the labor force. Some may even work longer. We are likely to change our career four to five times with more than 10 jobs in the course of our working life in the changing U.S. labor force.

Being able to integrate working into one's life successfully is an important aspect of becoming a productive member of society, maintaining positive emotional development, managing stress effectively, and developing healthy social relationships.

The personal happiness that one can experience from working includes: obtaining economic benefits, achieving job satisfaction, building up self-confidence, improving self esteem, and making life meaningful.

The occupation you pursue may affect your self-perception and your social status.

In choosing a satisfying career, you need as much information as possible from:

Self-exploration (values, interests, and abilities) and occupational information (nature of the work, working conditions, special abilities required, training and qualifications, employment, occupational outlook, probable earnings, chances for advancement, job security, and social status).

Whether you are interested in self-exploration or learning about the world of work, Job Search Central has the resources to prepare for your career.

Besides the Reference and Circulating book collections, which provide information for you to make a career choice, Job Search Central has access to Career Cruising, which is an interactive multimedia program for self-exploration. It also features profiles and information on hundreds of occupations, community colleges and universities, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. It is also available in Spanish.

The Occupational Information Reference Collection includes major resources, such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET Online, Certification Finder, Licensed Occupations, Career Insider (Vault), and more (see Occupational Information, Employment websites, Job Search Central).

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a publication of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides information for hundreds of different types of jobs, job search tips, and links to information about the job market in each state. It is available in English and Spanish and is revised every two years.

O*NET Online is created for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. It is an interactive application for workers and students to explore and search occupations. It is continually updated.

Certification Finder is a component of America's Career InfoNet, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. At this site you can search for certifications by keyword, industry, or occupation. It lists certification and training providers alphabetically, with links to more information.

Licensed Occupations is a part of America's Career InfoNet Workforce Credentials Information Center. You can search the database of licensed occupations by occupation, agency, or keyword, and locate the contact information for the state licensing agency.

Career Insider (Vault) presents occupational information from practitioners in the industry. It includes industry guides, company profiles, topics guides, and more. You can read industry blogs and news covering the latest trends and issues. Vault's job board matches employers and job seekers.

Furthermore, you can gather first hand occupational information by conducting an informational interview, which provides an insider look at an organization. You can learn more about the realities of working in a particular industry. The Career Center at University of California, Berkeley presents the benefits of, and six steps for, informational interviewing.

The Office of Career Services at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, presents important networking and informational interviewing tips, rules for informational interviewing, what to do with what you've learned, and sample questions for informational interviewing.

Job Search Central provides job search databases classes that discuss occupational information, job search skills, and different aspects of career development.

Job Search Central also presents job search and career development programs to job seekers of all ages. All these are free to the public on a first come first seated basis.

Please note that a career development program, Employment Outlook 2012, will be presented on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Lisa Boily of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will discuss the employment outlook and the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

For 40+ job seekers, explore the AARP WorkSearch program, an online system with links to skills assessment tools, occupational information, training programs, and job openings.

Job Search Central at NYPL's Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) has all kinds of job and career resources that can help you choose a satisfying career. Our collections, programs, and services inform all aspects of your career development. Please visit SIBL online or in person at 188 Madison Avenue at 34th Street.