Job Seeker's Online Goldmine: A Step-by-Step Guidebook to Government And No-Cost Web Tools

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Author: Janet E. Wall

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“ A super book, compiling in one location the step-by-step directions for dozens of excellent job-seeking, career transition, and career exploration tools.” Stephen Kornblatt, Senior Manager, Workforce Development Group, Aguirre International

A Wealth of Job Search, Career, and Education Guidance—Free and at Your Fingertips You’ve struck gold! Dig into little-known but rich online tools that help you get the future you want. Best of all, these tools are free.

FREE UPDATES VIA E-MAIL

Most people are not aware of these high-quality Web treasures because they’re funded by tax dollars or nonprofits. But author Janet Wall shows you where to find them and how to use them with a unique stepby-step, visual approach.

Find Exactly What You Want Without Searching Instead of just listing Web sites, chapters are organized in an action-based way so that you can accomplish tasks quickly and easily: • Assess your career interests, skills, and values. • Research occupations, salaries, and employers. • Build, post, and send your resume and cover letter. • Find the right education and training programs. • Apply for scholarships and grants. • Get help for a career change, career transition, or layoff. • And much more.

About the Author Janet E. Wall, Ed.D., is an expert on career development and government career information. She is president of Sage Solutions in Rockville, Maryland, and Pebble Beach, California, which provides career development, occupational analysis, program evaluation, instructional design, Webinar delivery, assessment, and other services. Dr. Wall consulted on the development of the O*NET Career Exploration Tools, led the development of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program for the U.S. Department of Defense, and was head of the office that produces DISCOVER for ACT, Inc. She has served as president of the Association for Assessment in Counseling and Education and taught at the university, high school, and middle school levels.

• Job Scout: Get e-mail notices of job openings. • Career Voyages: Use several tools, including one that explains occupations in high-growth, high-demand industries. • Education Pays: Use an online calculator to learn wages for jobs based on education. • Financial Aid Advisor: Discover what you qualify for and how to apply. • Employer Locator: Learn which companies in your area may be hiring. • Skills Gap Analyzer: Determine what you need to learn to qualify for another occupation.

$13.95

Higher in Canada

Wall

8902 Otis Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033 1-800-648-JIST Fax 1-800-JIST-FAX www.jist.com

• Work Importance Profiler: Identify your strongest work motivators and match them to occupations for a great career fit.

GOLDMINE

• Find openings, manage your contacts, and get a job.

The Web resources described in this book have been developed by experts, often with significant government research and funding. The tools include

“ This book is a treasure…A wealth of invaluable information in an easy-to-read, easy-to-follow format for all ages and all skill levels. The best part is all of the tools are free.” Jacquelyn Manis, Allegany County Employment and Training One Stop, Belmont, New York

JOB SEEKER’S ONLINE

GOLDMINE A Step-by-Step Guidebook to Government and No-Cost Web Tools

ONLINE

This book is ideal for job seekers, students, career changers, transitioning military, laid-off workers, and others to use in career exploration, education and career research, career assessment, and the job search. The Web tools use the latest labor market information, which is essential for good career and education planning.

Dig into 70 Rich Web Tools

JOB SEEKER’S

Careers

JOB OPENINGS

CAREER ASSESSMENTS

SALARY DATA

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

RESUM TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Janet E. Wall, Ed.D.

ES

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PRAISE FOR JOB SEEKER’S ONLINE GOLDMINE “There is an old Chinese proverb that says, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Dr. Wall has created a tool to equip job seekers to become self-sufficient and confident in their job search.” Dacardo King, Director of Placement Sanz School, Washington, DC “This book is awesome . . . truly a one-stop shop.” Lucille Maxis Project Manager and Career Counselor Keys to Work, Inc. “A wealth of useful information. It is valuable for someone just starting on their career path, as well as the individual planning on making a career change. This resource guides the reader step-by-step through career exploration, finding and funding college, and conducting a successful job search. This resource would be of great use to anyone who is searching for that ‘ideal’ position.” Peggy Lindsay Evaluation Program Manager Jewish Vocational Service Kansas City, Missouri “A comprehensive guide with step-by-step instructions.” Marilyn Quinn, Career Development Facilitator North Idaho College Coeur d’Alene, Idaho “The book is a wonderful companion for anyone who wants to challenge, change, and cheer themselves to another employment level. Dr. Wall simplistically unveils the mystery to navigating government Web sites and makes it reasonable for people to know that they can compete in the job market using their education, experience, and enthusiasm. Job Seeker’s Online Goldmine is a great book to have and use.” Sandra L. Winborne Manager, Certification Programs DANTES

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“Dr. Wall has compiled a wonderful toolkit full of fresh online resources to help job seekers navigate today’s career spectrum. From assessing your current skills and abilities . . . to identifying occupational requirements . . . to finding financial aid for training programs, Job Seeker’s Online Goldmine is a comprehensive one-stop shop for government and no-cost Web resources. Job seekers, career changers, and students should have this information at their fingertips!” Bob Jacques Director, Business Operations Maher & Maher, Workforce Development Consultants “[This book] will help anyone who is trying to find a job or move up the career ladder.” Shelia Cunningham McComb Service Center Supervisor Career OneStop, St Paul, Minnesota “All career counselors should have this book. It has wonderful interactive tools that can be used to help students and clients focus on starting or changing their careers. Dr. Wall gives you detailed instructions on how to use each tool. What a treat to find all these hidden gems in one resource!” Dr. Rebecca Dedmond Director of School Counseling George Washington University, Alexandria Center “This is the one job-seeking resource guide that everyone should own. This important and uniquely structured book has everything, and it leads you safely through the often overwhelming maze of government information you need to support your personal job search. This book is filled with thoroughly researched resources and constantly updated Web tools. Whether it’s keeping your skills at the cutting edge, furthering your education, or searching for the perfect job, Dr. Janet Wall has provided a big head start toward success.” Larry E. Anderson, President National Older Worker Career Center “Job Seeker’s Online Goldmine is a shining jewel in the sometimes overwhelming mountain of Web site resources. Dr. Wall has pulled together comprehensive information and provided a detailed roadmap that leads you through the flow of information from career identification to career change. The steps along the way are highlighted by usable, action-based sites that invite you to participate and tailor your own personal journey.” Martha M. Russell, M.S., MCC, NCC National Career Development Association (NCDA) President 2005–2006 Russell Career Services

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JOB SEEKER’S ONLINE

GOLDMINE A Step-by-Step Guidebook to Government and No-Cost Web Tools

Janet E. Wall, Ed.D.

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Job Seeker’s Online Goldmine A Step-by-Step Guidebook to Government and No-Cost Web Tools

© 2006 by Janet E. Wall Published by JIST Works, an imprint of JIST Publishing, Inc. 8902 Otis Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46216-1033 Phone: 1-800-648-JIST Fax: 1-800-JIST-FAX E-mail: [email protected] Visit our Web site at www.jist.com for information on JIST, free job search tips, book excerpts, and how to order our many products! For free information on 14,000 job titles, visit www.careeroink.com. Quantity discounts are available for JIST books. Have future editions of JIST books automatically delivered to you on publication through our convenient standing order program. Please call our Sales Department at 1-800-648-5478 for a free catalog and more information. Acquisitions Editor: Susan Pines Development Editor: Heather Stith Production Editor: Stephanie Koutek Cover Designer: designLab Interior Designer: Aleata Howard Page Layout: Marie Kristine Parial-Leonardo, Carolyn Newland Proofreader: Jeanne Clark Indexer: Kelly D. Henthorne Printed in the United States of America 11 10 09 08 07 06 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Wall, Janet E. Job seeker's online goldmine : a step-by-step guidebook to government and no-cost Web tools / Janet E. Wall. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 1-59357-294-8 (alk. paper) 1. Job hunting--Computer network resources. 2. Vocational guidance --Computer network resources. 3. Internet. 4. World Wide Web. I. Title. HF5382.7.W347 2006 650.140285'4678--dc22 2006000195 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews. Making copies of any part of this book for any purpose other than your own personal use is a violation of United States copyright laws. For permission requests, please contact the Copyright Clearance Center at www.copyright.com or (978) 750-8400. We have been careful to provide accurate information in this book, but it is possible that errors and omissions have been introduced. Please consider this in making any career plans or other important decisions. Trust your own judgment above all else and in all things. Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

ISBN-13: 978-1-59357-294-5 ISBN-10: 1-59357-294-8

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ABOUT THIS BOOK This book is unique for several reasons: ✶ The tools are action-based. Some books give you lists of Web sites for you to access and then expect you to figure out how they are useful to you. Not so with this book. This book includes interactive Web tools that help you perform a specific job search function that is important to you, such as finding occupations that match your criteria, searching for scholarships to fund your education and training, and learning how to write a resume. The Web tools are categorized according to the needs that you might have as you think about your career, look for the perfect job, or transition into a new stage in your life. ✶ It’s a step-by-step guidebook. This book gives you easy-to-follow directions on how to use each Web tool, along with explanatory figures to demonstrate the directions and show sample results. Following the steps will help you achieve your goal quickly and in the most efficient manner. You no longer need to guess where to go or fail to implement a step in your career and job search because you didn’t know a tool was available or how you should use the tool. ✶ This book is a one-stop shop. Not until this book has there been a single source for all these tools. They are easily available, but they are scattered on various Web sites and created by multiple organizations. Hundreds of tools were reviewed in the production of this book. Only the best tools survived the screening process, resulting in a veritable goldmine of information to help you with your career. ✶ The resources are of high quality and have superior utility. Most of the tools have been developed with significant government resources and with the assistance of experts that are among the best in the business. Some of the tools are not created directly by the federal government, but the developers of these tools have used the extensive and high-quality information collected by the federal government or funded by various federal agencies. A few tools are nongovernment, but they are well crafted and are given as a service by a private sector institution or agency. As a result, the resources and tools produced are useful, comprehensive, current, and of high quality. Great effort has been made to send you to Web tools where you will not be bombarded with sales pitches or be required to provide personal information before you can access the tool.

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Job Seeker’s Online Goldmine

✶ The book puts you in charge of the process. Using these tools puts you in the driver’s seat by allowing you to control your career planning and job search. The book does not have to be read from front to back, but by reviewing the available tools, you can design your approach to career planning and job hunting by using only those Web tools that will give you what you want. Although the tools are free, you may need to spend a little time using them to gain the benefits. Most of the work has been done for you, but only you can take charge of your future. As they say, you get out of it what you put into it.

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The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price. —Vince Lombardi

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DEDICATION This book is dedicated to the many federal, state, and local government employees who work tirelessly to do all they can to support the workforce in this country.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many individuals and organizations have helped with the development and selection of the tools. The listing below represents individuals who have taken time to read portions of the book, offer advice, provide me with information and ideas, or make suggestions for the improvement of the contents. I thank them for their generous contributions of time and expertise. Any errors and inconsistencies are solely my own. Shelia Cunningham McComb, Service Center Supervisor Kelly Tenner, Project Analyst Karen Underhill, Project Analyst Career OneStop St. Paul, MN Stephen Kornblatt, CWDP Senior Manager, Workforce Development Group Aguirre International, a Division of JBS, International Sandra Winborne Certification and Licensing Manager DANTES Pensacola, FL Harvey Ollis Manager, E-Tools Group Employment and Training Administration US. Department of Labor Washington, DC Martha M. Russell, M.S., MCC, NCC National Career Development Association (NCDA) President 2005–2006 Russell Career Services Battle Ground, WA

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Acknowledgments

Cheryllynn Hamm Web Content Editor Devis Development InfoStructure Arlington, VA Bob Jacques Director, Business Operations Maher & Maher Workforce Development Consultants Neptune, NJ Dr. Rebecca Dedmond Director of School Counseling George Washington University Alexandria Center Alexandria, VA Dr. Judy Ettinger Center for Education and Work University of Wisconsin Madison, WI Larry E. Anderson, President National Older Worker Career Center Washington, DC Michael A. Frank Career Facilitator (Military) Falls Church, VA

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CONTENTS About This Book ..........................................................................iii Introduction ................................................................................xiii CHAPTER 1: Identify Your Interests and Skills ..............................1 Identify Your Interests and Match Them to Occupations......2 Identify Your Work Values and Match Those to Occupations..................................................................................4 Quickly Identify Your Interest Areas..........................................6 Identify Your Interests and Connect Them to Occupations in the Federal Government................................7 Find Government Occupations by Selecting Tasks You Like to Do............................................................................9 Identify Your Skills ......................................................................14 Determine How Important Your Skills Are to Various Occupations ..............................................................................16 Following Your Dreams..............................................................19 Want to Know More?..................................................................19 CHAPTER 2: Find the Right Occupation ......................................21 Use a Keyword to Find Occupations ......................................22 Search for Occupations That Match a Set of Skills ..............24 Search for Occupations One Skill at a Time ..........................27 Search for Occupations According to Knowledge Requirements..............................................................................30 Search for Occupations According to Ability Requirements..............................................................................32 Identify Occupations That Don’t Require Significant Physical Capability ....................................................................34 Find Occupations That Match Your Interests........................36 Find Occupations That Match Your Work Values ................38 Learn the License Requirements for Occupations ................39 Learn the Certification Requirements for Occupations ........41 Locate the Fastest-Growing Occupations ..............................43 Locate the Occupations with the Most Job Openings ..........45 Find Occupations in High-Growth, High-Demand Industries ....................................................................................46 Find a Federal Government Occupation ................................49 Discover Information About Military Careers........................50 Watch Videos About Occupations............................................53 Landing on Your Feet ................................................................55 Want to Know More?..................................................................56 Occupational Information ....................................................56 Career Planning ......................................................................58

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CHAPTER 3: Improve Your Job Skills ............................................59 Learn How to Earn Your GED Certificate ............................61 Find Vocational Schools in Your State ....................................63 Shore Up Your Basic Literacy Skills ........................................64 Find Local Services to Help You Improve Your Job Skills ..........................................................................65 Build Skills at a Community College ........................................66 Find Education and Training Institutions................................68 Find Institutions with Specific Accreditations ........................70 Choose the Right College for You............................................72 Use Technology to Access Courses, Certificates, and Degrees................................................................................73 Take Free Courses in Several Subject Areas............................75 Take Free Business Courses ......................................................77 Locate IT Training Programs That Are Right for You ........78 Calculate Your Anticipated Wages Using Your Education Level ........................................................................80 The Best Place for the Next Moment ......................................82 Want to Know More?..................................................................82 Benefits to Education ............................................................82 Getting Your GED ................................................................83 Gaining Work Experience ....................................................84 Selecting an Education or Training Program ....................85 Preparing for College ............................................................86 Learning at a Distance ..........................................................87 Sample Online Universities ..................................................89 Military Opportunities ..........................................................89 CHAPTER 4: Fund Your Education and Training........................93 Get Free Education and Training Through Job Corps ........95 Obtain Training and Education Through YouthBuild USA........................................................................96 Hone Your Skills While Earning a Wage ................................97 Search for Scholarships ..............................................................99 Find United Negro College Fund Scholarship Opportunities ..........................................................................101 Apply for Federal Student Financial Aid ..............................102 Use the Financial Aid Advisor ................................................104 Get Funds and Work Experience Through the Federal Government ............................................................................106 Use the Montgomery GI Bill ..................................................107 Identify Scholarships for Veterans, Active-Duty Military, or Military Dependents ..........................................108 Organizing Around a Goal ......................................................109

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Want to Know More?................................................................110 General Information About Funding Education and Training........................................................................110 Loans ......................................................................................112 Apprenticeships ....................................................................113 Scholarships ..........................................................................113 Work-Study ............................................................................114 Government Opportunities for Students ........................115 Educational Benefits from the Military ............................118 CHAPTER 5: Find and Land a Job ................................................121 See Whether Your Job Aspirations Are Realistic ................122 Improve Your Resume-Writing Skills ....................................125 Take an Online Workshop on Resume Writing....................128 Register to Use the America’s Job Bank Tools ....................129 Find a Job Through America’s Job Bank ..............................130 Post Your Resume on America’s Job Bank ..........................133 Create a Cover Letter for Your Resume ................................139 Have the Job Scout Automatically Find Jobs for You ........140 Manage Your Job Contacts ......................................................141 Find Employers in a Specific Geographic Area ..................143 Find a Federal Government Job..............................................144 Network with Potential Employers at a Career Fair ............146 Get Advice from Retired Executives and Managers............147 Taking the Shot ..........................................................................150 Want to Know More?................................................................151 General Job Search Information........................................151 Resources for Special Groups ............................................153 Federal Jobs ..........................................................................155 Job Search Organizations and Companies ......................157 Dressing and Grooming Tips ............................................157 Networking............................................................................158 Creating a Resume................................................................158 Interviewing ..........................................................................160 Letter Writing ........................................................................160 Salary and Benefits ..............................................................161 Starting and Managing a Small Business ..........................162 CHAPTER 6: Change Your Job or Career....................................165 Find Government Services for Changes in Job Status........167 Find Occupations Similar to Yours ........................................168 Match a Major to Job Listings ................................................170 Determine the Skills You Need to Qualify for a Different Occupation ............................................................171 Use the Job Scout to Find a New Career ..............................176 Transition from the Military to a High-Growth, High-Demand Occupation....................................................179

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Find Jobs for Older Workers ..................................................180 Transition from a Federal Government Job to a Private Sector Job....................................................................181 Determine the Pay for Your Occupation in Another Geographic Area ....................................................................183 Compare Average Wages for an Occupation in Multiple Cities..........................................................................185 Determine Your Equivalent Salary in a Different Location ....................................................................................188 Find a School, College, or Library Anywhere in the United States ............................................................................190 Decide Whether You Are Financially Ready to Retire ........191 Search for Volunteer Opportunities ......................................193 Don’t Get Run Over ................................................................194 Want to Know More?................................................................195 Losing Your Job....................................................................195 Making a Transition ............................................................196 Resigning from Your Job ....................................................197 Older Workers and Other Special Groups ......................197 Military Transition Assistance ............................................198 Business and Entrepreneurship ........................................202 APPENDIX: Books for Job Seekers ..............................................203 INDEX ....................................................................................................209

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INTRODUCTION Are you wondering what it takes to prepare for a career? Are you trying to figure out what you want to do when you grow up? Are you trying to find a job? Are you wanting to make a job change, but don’t know how to find a new job? Do you need information on how to acquire skills for a particular career? Are you unsure how to put your best foot forward through the use of a resume? Do you want to sharpen your interview skills? Are you transitioning from the military and want to look for a civilian career? Do you know how to manage your job search? Are you helping someone find the right career or job? Are you advising people about what education or training they need to qualify for a particular occupation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you. This book will acquaint you with 70 high-quality and easy-to-use Web tools that will help save you many hours of effort as you find the career that is right for you, obtain your education and training, fund your schooling, and search for the right job. The tools in this book have two important characteristics: they are really good, and they are free!

How to Use This Book This book has several chapters. Each chapter gives you several actionoriented, interactive tools to meet the needs that you might have as you pursue your career and find that great job. ✶ Chapter 1, “Identify Your Interests and Skills,” shows you several assessment tools that you can use to help you find occupations that best match your talents. ✶ Chapter 2, “Find the Right Occupation,” helps you learn about the various characteristics of hundreds of occupations. You can find extensive information about occupations by searching through different databases by keyword, occupational title, skill, knowledge, and ability. ✶ In Chapter 3, “Improve Your Job Skills,” you will learn how to identify the educational and training requirements of different occupations. You will also learn how to find education and training programs and work activities that will help qualify you for the jobs you want. ✶ Chapter 4, “Fund Your Education and Training,” gives you ways to access enormous amounts of financial aid to help you prepare yourself for your career. Don’t pass up the billions of dollars of financial assistance made available each year.

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✶ In Chapter 5, “Find and Land a Job,” you will learn how to create a resume and tap into the massive listings of jobs that employers have posted. The tools in this chapter will help you apply for jobs online, manage your job search, find the right job, and show yourself in the best light to employers. ✶ If you are transitioning from one occupation to another because you want some changes in your life, are looking to find new work after retirement, have been forced out of your job for various reasons, are wanting a job change, or are leaving the military to take on a civilian job, Chapter 6, “Change Your Job or Career,” has some helpful tools for you. As you skim the chapters, look for those tools that are most helpful to you now. At the start of each chapter, you will see a bulleted list of the general functions of the tools. Each tool function has its own heading and list of steps. If you find a task or function that seems appropriate for you and the task you want to perform, follow the directions to use the tool. As of this writing, your personal information will not be provided or sold to anyone else if you use the Web tools listed in this book, and you will not be required to purchase anything in order to benefit from the tools. In addition to describing the specific interactive tools, each chapter ends with a list of additional resources to expand your knowledge in the section called “Want to Know More?” All the resources are available for downloading from the Internet, and the links to these documents or Web sites are given. The resources have been selected to supplement the topics covered by the interactive tools.

Getting Your Computer Ready Before you start, you need access to a computer, a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, and an Internet connection to get and use the tools. If you don’t have a home computer, you can use the equipment in your local library. To access the resource documents that are in portable document format (PDF), you will need Adobe Reader. Most machines that you will use already have that program, but if that is not the case for you, you can download this free piece of software for either Windows XP or Mac operating systems. Go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/ readstep2.html. The latest version is 7.0.

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Introduction

Some of the sites that contain the tools use pop-ups, so be sure to turn off any pop-up blocker you might be using when you view those sites. A Web tool in Chapter 2 and a few of the supplemental resources require the viewing of videos. To view the videos, you need to use an audio-video player on your computer. Two of the most popular players are Windows Media Player and Real Player. All you need are the basic players; they are both free to download. To download Windows Media Player, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download. If you are using Netscape as your browser, be sure to download the Netscape plug-in. To download Real Player, go to http://www.real.com. Note that the videos work best with a high-speed Internet connection.

Getting Updates Every once and again, a Web site will make major changes. On occasion, links to Web sites can change. As a service to purchasers of this book, I will provide updates as they occur. Send your name and e-mail address to [email protected] in order to periodically receive news of Web tool changes, changes in Web links, and new and appropriate tools that have been developed and discovered. If you discover a new tool that fits the criteria of this book or if you want to report a dead link, by all means use this address to send me an e-mail message. When a new version of this book comes out, all the latest information will be incorporated into the new version. Janet Wall

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CHAPTER

Identify Your Interests and Skills “My mother said to me,‘If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general; if you become a monk, you’ll end up as the Pope.’ Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.” —Pablo Picasso

W

ho is the most interesting person to you? You, of course! This chapter is about you—your interests, your work values, and your abilities and skills. This information is important because if you work in jobs and careers that match your interests and work values and allow you to use your skills and abilities, you will be happier in your job, be more productive for your employer, and stay on the job longer. Joe Gibbs, coach for the Washington Redskins football team, echoed this thought when he said, “People who enjoy what they are doing invariably do it well.” Thomas A. Edison said it a different way when he stated, “I never did a day’s work in my life. It was all fun.” Using the Web tools in this chapter will help you learn more about yourself and match your characteristics to occupations and careers to help you have a productive and satisfying life. This chapter gives you several options to learn about yourself through assessment instruments. You can find many free assessment instruments over the Internet, but not all are well constructed, nor do most provide solid information about you and how the results relate to occupations. The assessments in this chapter have been handpicked for your use because of their quality and utility. However, you will probably not want to take every

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assessment listed. Instead, read the descriptions of each assessment instrument and select those assessments that give you the information most pertinent to you. The tools in this chapter will help you take assessment instruments to ✶ Know more about yourself. ✶ Identify your interests and relate them to occupations. ✶ Learn your strongest work values and how they relate to occupations. ✶ Specify your skills and the level of proficiency of those skills for use in career planning.

Identify Your Interests and Match Them to Occupations The U.S. Department of Labor has produced the Computerized Interest Profiler, a solid and useful instrument that helps you identify your interests. If you answer the questions, you will receive a report of your strongest interests from the six areas measured: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. (These areas are based on the personality types that John Holland devised in the 1950s and that career advisors and researchers have used ever since.) Then you must choose either a current or future level of education or training that you use or are planning to use at work. (The Interest Profiler calls these levels Job Zones.) The Interest Profiler then gives you a list of occupations from the O*NET (Occupational Information Network) that match your interests and specified education level. The following steps explain how to download the Interest Profiler (and the Work Importance Profiler) and use it.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.onetcenter.org/CIP.html.

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2. Click on Software and User’s Guide. 3. Click on CIP — Software to download the file. 4. Save the file to your computer. Remember where you put it. 5. Go back to your computer to the section where you stored the file.

Click on the file to start the installation process.

6. Make sure the program versions you want to install are checked and

then click Next. Downloading both the Interest Profiler and the Work Importance Profiler at the same time will save you time. Download the standard versions if you are working with a stand-alone computer. If you are working in a career center and have networked computers, you can download the networked version. Note that you can download demonstration versions if you want to demonstrate the features of these instruments to other people. 7. Continue to follow the installation directions. By doing so, you will

place an icon on your desktop. From there you can access the actual instrument. 8. Click on the Interest Profiler icon found on your desktop to start the

Interest Profiler. The first few screens explain how to enter information into the Interest Profiler. Then you will see a colored list of activities.

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9. Choose whether you Like, Dislike, or are Unsure of each activity. After

you have responded to all 180 activities, the Interest Profiler generates a display that shows your interests for each area. 10. Pick one or more of the five Job Zones, each of which indicates a dif-

ferent level of education, training, and experience. The Interest Profiler then generates a list of occupations from the O*NET that best match the combination of interests and level of education and training you selected.

If you want to know more about any of the occupations listed in the Interest Profiler, follow the instructions in “Use a Keyword to Find Occupations” in Chapter 2 to learn how to use O*NET OnLine.

Identify Your Work Values and Match Those to Occupations Your job values play an important role in how much you enjoy your job and how you face each workday. The Work Importance Profiler will help you identify your strongest work values from the six it measures: Achievement, Independence, Recognition, Relationships, Support, and © JIST Works

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Working Conditions. It then provides you with a list of occupations that best match these values. To access the Work Importance Profiler, follow the preceding directions for the Computerized Interest Profiler. If you followed the recommendations in the previous section, you have already downloaded this instrument.

Step by Step 1. Click on the Work Importance Profiler icon on your computer desk-

top to start the Work Importance Profiler. The beginning screens explain what the Work Importance Profiler is and how to use it. 2. In the Ranking Phase, click on each statement in order to rank its

importance to you. The Ranking Phase consists of 21 screens that display five statements about your ideal job.

3. The Rating Phase lists all the statements about your ideal job on one

screen. Choose either Y or N to indicate whether or not that statement is important to you.

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4. When you finish ranking all the statements, click the forward arrow at

the bottom of the screen. The Work Importance Profiler displays a list of the six work values in order of their importance to you. Review this list and then click the forward arrow. 5. Choose a Job Zone to indicate your current or future level of educa-

tion and training. The Work Importance Profiler then displays a listing of occupations that match your work values and Job Zone. Use O*NET OnLine (covered in Chapter 2) to find out more about the occupations you find interesting from the listing you receive.

Quickly Identify Your Interest Areas The U.S. Navy has created an instrument called the Life Accelerator that measures your interests. It is quick to take and gives you a profile of your predominant interest areas of Do-er, Problem Solver, Innovator, Advisor, Persuader, and Planner. There is no obligation to join the military by taking this test.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.navy.com/careers/accelerateyourlife/

lifeaccelerator to display a list of activities.

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2. Click the button in either the Like or Dislike column for each activity.

Do the same for the next screen that lists interests and the last screen that lists careers. When you have completed all the questions, you will receive a profile similar to the one shown. In the example, the results show that this person’s strongest interest area is Problem Solver.

3. Click on the descriptor of your highest interest area to receive an

interpretation of that area and to learn about activities, work environments, and careers that relate to that interest area.

Identify Your Interests and Connect Them to Occupations in the Federal Government The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) handles the hiring of thousands of individuals in the federal government. To help you match your characteristics to potential jobs, OPM has designed a short interest checklist called the Career Interest Guide for you to use. © JIST Works

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Step by Step 1. Go to http://career.usajobs.opm.gov/.

2. Click on the Career Interest Guide link. 3. Click the Interest Guide Questionnaire link and then answer the

questions on the Career Interest Guide Questionnaire as indicated.

4. When you are done answering the questions, click Submit

Questionnaire. You will get an outcome similar to the one shown in the following figure. The longer the bar, the stronger your interest is in that category. In the following chart, Scientific, Plants and Animals, Leading-Influencing, and Mechanical seem to be the strongest areas.

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5. To learn what types of government jobs match any of your interest

areas, click on the titles of your strongest interest areas. That will bring up a listing of federal government occupations that you can explore further. The example shows the occupations that relate to the interest area of Plants and Animals.

6. Clicking on an occupation and then clicking the Find Occupation

button will give you additional information about that particular occupation.

Find Government Occupations by Selecting Tasks You Like to Do The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also gives you another tool. This helps you match tasks that you like to do with possible occupations. © JIST Works

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By answering the questions and following the directions in this section, you can get a profile of the amount of overlap between your preferences and the characteristics of the occupation you select.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://career.usajobs.opm.gov/.

2. Click on Job Interest Matching.

3. Click one of the three categories: Clerical and Technical;

Professional and Administrative; or Supervisory, Managerial, and Executive. A series of task groupings that relates specifically to the category you chose appears. For example, task groupings for the Clerical and Technical category include Paper Records or Files, Information Transcription and Verification, and other task groupings. © JIST Works

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The other categories have a different set of tasks appropriate to them. The following sample is a small portion of the many tasks within the Clerical and Technical category.

4. Select the tasks that interest you in each group. After you select all the

tasks that interest you, click the Match button to receive a listing of occupations within the category you selected. These occupations are listed in order of the highest amount of overlap between the tasks that you picked and those important to the occupation.

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5. To find out more about the occupation, click on the occupational title.

You will then have an opportunity to assess your skills and level of proficiency of those skills with the requirements of that occupation. In the example, Medical Clerk is selected. Note that you can see a job description, minimum qualifications, tasks and competencies, and career progression by clicking on the appropriate link.

6. Click on Assess for this Occupation so that you can identify the

capabilities for each task. Complete the Assess Yourself portion of the task listing. The following figure shows you a sample of the tasks for the occupation of Medical Clerk. Indicate your level of proficiency for each of these tasks.

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7. Click on Finished Self Assessment to receive a Task Assessment

Profile that indicates your score on each task. The tasks are scored on a scale from 1 to 4, with a score of 4 indicating that you do this task well. The tasks with the lowest scores (the areas where you need the most improvement) are listed first.

8. Click on View Competency Profile to display a Competency

Assessment Profile that gives you an idea of how well suited you are for the occupation. The following figure for Medical Clerk is a sample of the kind of profile you could get on the occupation you selected. Scores range from 1 to 4. The higher the score is, the better the match of your interests and competencies to that occupation.

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Identify Your Skills Your skills and abilities relate to which occupations are right for you. To help you identify your skills, complete the Skills Identifier.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/skills_about.asp. 2. Click on Step 1 Select Your Occupation. Then select the link for the

third way to search, without an occupation. The next page asks you to identify your skills. The skills you will review are in several general categories, including Basic Skills, Social Skills, Complex ProblemSolving Skills, Technical Skills, Systems Skills, Resource Management Skills, and Desktop Computer Skills. Each skill is described to help you make a proper determination of your skills.

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3. Select all the skills you have and then click Continue when you have

finished identifying your skills. Doing so will bring you to a page where you assess the level of proficiency of each of the skills you have identified.

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4. Look at the skills and rate your level of proficiency according to the

1–7 scale. The anchor points help you determine more precisely where your skill level is. Select the radio button next to your skill level for all the skills. 5. When you are done identifying your level of skill, click Continue.

Doing so will bring up a report showing your skills and your proficiency level. Bookmark this page or print it out.

Using this information you receive from the Skills Identifier, you can work with a career counselor to see how your skills match with occupations. You can also use this information in Chapter 6, “Change Your Job or Career,” to see how your skills do and do not match up to occupational requirements and where you may need some additional training.

Determine How Important Your Skills Are to Various Occupations You have many skills that you use every day. This assessment helps you identify how important those skills are to your career.

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Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.iseek.org/sv/12399.jsp to find the ISEEK page

on assessments. This page lists many groups of skills that you can view and use. Among the options are Basic Skills, Hearing and Vision Skills, Communication Skills, Reasoning Skills, and Movement Skills.

2. Click the name of the skill group or groups you want to consider from

the options provided. For example, click Basic Skills to display a list of those skills. 3. Rate how important these skills are to your career by selecting the but-

ton that reflects your opinion.

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4. Click Continue. From here you can add additional skills or obtain a

list of occupations that match the skills you marked.

5. Click on Show Career List when you are done. Review the list of

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Following Your Dreams Good career decision-making involves learning about yourself and understanding how your characteristics match up to occupations and jobs. The tools in this chapter help you learn about your personal characteristics. Matching your professional life to your personal characteristics can help you identify your dream job. Eleanor Roosevelt understood the importance of one’s dreams when she said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Your dreams will be different from others because you are unique. That’s why you should pursue your own dreams. H. Jackson Brown, Jr., author of Life’s Little Instruction Book, is quoted as saying, “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” Use the tools in this chapter to help you identify your road and follow your dreams.

Want to Know More? This section provides you with some resources that supplement the Web tools in this chapter. These resources will help you learn more about yourself and how assessments are important to career planning and making decisions about the right job for you. A Guide to Choosing Tests That Are Right for You http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/usingnet/20030429-dikel2.html This brief article sorts through the various types of career assessments.

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Keirsey Temperament Sorter http://www.advisorteam.com/temperament_sorter Register to take this free instrument to tell you your personality type, which can be helpful information as you interact with other people in a job situation. You will receive a basic level of results and an interpretation of those results without any cost to you. You can purchase additional information, but the additional information is not necessary to gain a basic understanding of your tendencies. Testing Information http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/testinginfo.jsp This site helps you sort through the various tests for college admissions, graduate school, law school, and so on. Tests and Other Assessments: Helping You Make Better Career Decisions http://www.onetcenter.org/guides.html Download this free guide to help you understand the various types of assessments and how they can help you in your decision-making about a career. This guide also explains how assessments are used in the job selection process.

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CHAPTER

Find the Right Occupation “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter F. Drucker

F

rom a very early age, some people have known that they want to be firefighters, nurses, lawyers, scientists, counselors, or accountants. The rest of us struggle to try to figure out what our life’s work should be. Some of us yearn for a career change but haven’t found what we want to do yet. On occasion, life conditions force us to change employers or be out of work for a while. This kind of situation compels us to rethink our options and opportunities. Whatever the cause, statistics tell us that we will change jobs and occupations several times throughout our lifetimes. The prime focus of this chapter of the book is informed career decisionmaking. As you think about your career, it is helpful to know as much as you can about occupations you are considering. The more you know about an occupation, the better able you are to determine whether it is a good option for you. Factors to think about as you consider different occupations are such things as the knowledge required, the skills and abilities you need to have, and the necessary amount of education and training. Are you willing to attain these required skills, abilities, and level of education if you do not already have them? You should also consider the number of jobs available in an occupation, whether the number of jobs in that occupation is growing or declining, the salary level of that occupation, and whether the job is related to your interests. The tools in this chapter will help you learn all of these details.

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This chapter will show you how to find out about occupations by using the Internet to ✶ Search for occupations by keyword or required knowledge, skills, or abilities. ✶ Find occupations that use your specific set of skills. ✶ See what occupations require licenses or certifications. ✶ See which occupations are the fastest growing, have the most jobs, or pay the best wages. ✶ Find out what occupations and opportunities are available in the military. ✶ Learn more about careers that you like by watching short videos.

Use a Keyword to Find Occupations Sometimes you want to find out about an occupation or career field, but you may not know what its official name is. The O*NET OnLine tool is available 24/7 with information about several hundred occupations. You can access this information just by entering a keyword.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org to see the O*NET OnLine

home page.

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Find the Right Occupation

2. Click on Find Occupations. In the Quick Search area of the screen,

enter a keyword that relates to a career or occupation that might interest you, such as equipment repairing, computers, nursing, lawyer, or truck driver. The following example uses computers as the keyword.

3. Click on Go to see a list of occupations for the keyword you entered.

The keyword search for computers displays many occupations as options. The following information is only a sample of the many occupations that are listed.

4. Click on the title of the occupation that interests you to access a

report that provides you with lots of helpful information about the occupation. The following figure shows the top portion of the Summary Report about computer operators.

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This report contains information about what tasks a person in the occupation typically performs, the kind of knowledge the person has to have, the skills that are important, the work activities that a person in the occupation performs, and much more. You can even find out what a person in that occupation generally makes per hour or each year and how many jobs are projected to exist in the future. You can find this information for the jobs in your state or for the entire country.

You can find this kind of information about any occupation that you want. The information will help you make a better decision about whether the occupation is a good fit for you.

Search for Occupations That Match a Set of Skills Sometimes you may want to know what occupations use a set of skills that you think you have or that you are planning to acquire. O*NET OnLine comes to the rescue again.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org to visit the O*NET OnLine

home page.

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2. Click on Skills Search to display a listing of basic skills, complex

problem solving skills, resource management skills, systems skills, and technical skills. What you see in the example is a listing of the skills in the Basic Skills category.

3. Click on the boxes to the left of the skills that you have or plan to

have in the future to indicate that you want to see occupations that match those skills. You can see that each skill is defined for you to make it easier to make an accurate selection.

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4. Click the Go button at the end of the list of skills to display a listing

of occupations that match the skills you selected. Note that checking Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning, finds a listing of almost 300 occupations that match those skills. You can click on any occupational title to find out more about the occupation.

5. To find out the other skills necessary for the occupation, click on the

number that appears before the bar. For example, if you click on the number 3 in front of Psychiatric Aides, you will see that there are several other skills important for this occupation. The example shows a sampling of the necessary skills and their relative importance. Also, the information shows that reading comprehension is not the most important skill for this occupation. Higher on the list are Social Perceptiveness, Oral Expression, Assisting and Caring for Others, and several other skills.

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Search for Occupations One Skill at a Time If you want to find which occupations use a particular skill that you have, O*NET OnLine can help you do that as well. Using this tool, you can find occupations that match a particular skill that you believe is important to you. You also can determine a skill’s importance to an occupation and the level of proficiency needed for an occupation.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org to display the O*NET Online

home page. 2. Click on Find Occupations. The screen that appears has an area

labeled Browse by O*NET Descriptor, as shown in the following figure. From here you can find occupations that match a specific skill that you have or intend to attain.

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3. Click on Skills to display a page that asks you to think about various

categories of skills.

4. Click on one of the skills categories you are interested in to see a more

detailed listing of skills for you to consider. For example, click on Social Skills. Notice how each of the skills is defined for you.

5. Select the skill most relevant to your interests and click on it to display

a list of occupations where that skill is important. The example shows the list that appears when you click on Service Orientation.

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Note that the list is ordered according to the importance of that skill to the occupation. In the example, people in the occupations at the top of the list consider service orientation to be an important skill for their occupation. As you go down the list, service orientation becomes somewhat less important. The bar in the Importance column depicts the level of importance visually and numerically. Looking at this information you can see that, although the skill is important, the level or degree of proficiency required differs by occupation. Take a look at the information in the preceding example. For travel clerks, the importance of service orientation is very high, but the level of that skill is in the middle or average. For licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, the importance is pretty high, and the skill level is also pretty high. If you want to order the list by the level of skill instead of importance, just click on the word Level and your list is automatically reordered according to level of skill necessary for the occupation. The example shows the set of occupations sorted by level of proficiency needed by the occupation.

This powerful tool can help you make some informed decisions about an occupation that you may want to explore further. In using this tool, remember that you can search for occupations that use basic skills, complex problem solving skills, resource management skills, social skills, systems skills, and technical skills. © JIST Works

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Search for Occupations According to Knowledge Requirements You can use O*Net OnLine to find occupations that match a specific kind of knowledge that you have or intend to obtain.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org to access the O*NET OnLine

home page. 2. Click on Find Occupations.

3. In the Browse by O*NET Descriptor area of the screen that appears,

click on Knowledge to display a page that asks you to think about various knowledge options. More than 30 knowledge areas are listed. The knowledge areas shown in the following figure are only a sample of what you can find on the Web site.

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4. Click on the knowledge area that is most important to you to display a

list of occupations where that knowledge area is important. The list is ordered according to the importance of that knowledge area to the occupation. The following figure shows the list of occupations that appears if you click on Building and Construction.

The occupations at the top of the list, in this case boat builders, ship carpenters, and roofers, are occupations in which Building and Construction knowledge is most important. As you go down the list, Building and Construction knowledge becomes somewhat less important. The level of importance of the knowledge area is visually depicted by the bar in the Importance column. Check out the occupation of Roofers. The knowledge area of Building and Construction is very important to that occupation, but the level of proficiency is lower. You can see this by the length of the bar in the Level column for the Roofers occupation. © JIST Works

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If you want to order the list by level of knowledge rather than importance, click on the Level column heading, and your list is automatically reordered according to the level of skill necessary for the occupation. The next figure is the set of Building and Construction occupations sorted by level of proficiency. Notice that this list of occupations is very different from the list in the preceding figure; Roofers does not even appear in the Occupation column.

Search for Occupations According to Ability Requirements You may want to find occupations that have certain ability requirements, either because you have or intend to develop a specific ability as a strength or because you have a disability that makes certain actions difficult.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org in order to access the O*NET

OnLine home page. Click on Find Occupations. 2. In the Browse by O*NET Descriptor area of the screen that appears,

click on Abilities to display a list of several kinds of abilities that are important in occupations.

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3. Click on the ability area that is of most interest to you to display a list

of abilities in that area. Each of the abilities has a definition to help you make a determination. The figure shows definitions for Cognitive Abilities.

4. Click on one of those abilities, you will get a list of occupations where

that ability is important. The following figure shows part of the list for the ability of Inductive Reasoning. These occupations are sorted by how important that ability is to the occupation.

5. If you want to look at the list of occupations sorted and ordered by

level of ability, click on the Level column heading to reorder the list according to the level or degree of an ability that is necessary in the occupation. In the example, note how the list of occupations for Inductive Reasoning changes when it is sorted by level of the skill instead of importance of the skill.

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Click on the name of the occupation that interests you to find out more about it.

Identify Occupations That Don’t Require Significant Physical Capability If you don’t want jobs that are physically taxing or if you have a physical disability that prevents you from doing certain types of work, you can search for occupations by physical capability.


home page. Click on Find Occupations.

2. In the Browse by O*NET Descriptor area of the screen that appears,

click on Abilities to display a list of several kinds of abilities that are important in occupations.

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3. Click on Physical Abilities to display a list of various types of physi-

cal abilities. Some of those are shown in the following figure.

4. Click on the physical skill that is important to you to display a list of

occupations where that skill is most important. The example uses Dynamic Flexibility.

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5. Click on the word Level to sort the occupations according to the

degree of physical capability. 6. Click on Level again to create a sort from low to high requirements

of the physical capability you selected.

Using this set of instructions, you can identify those occupations that do not require certain physical abilities. Click on the name of the occupation that interests you to find out more about it.

Find Occupations That Match Your Interests You may have taken an interest inventory, like those listed in Chapter 1, and determined your interest areas. This Web tool helps you find occupations that match those interests.


home page. Click on Find Occupations. 2. In the Browse by O*NET Descriptor section, click on Interests to

bring up six major interest areas and their descriptions.

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3. Click the interest area that is most like you to display a list of occupa-

tions. The example shows a sampling of the occupations for the Realistic interest area.

The occupations are listed by Job Zone in order from Job Zone 1 (the least amount of education and training required) to Job Zone 5 (the greatest amount of education and training required). You can organize the listing to show occupations in only one of the Job Zones by selecting that Job Zone in the drop-down list. You can also search for occupations according to more than one interest area by making another selection in the area provided. The following figure shows the listing of occupations for the Realistic and Conventional interest areas. The Job Zone has been changed to 3. Using this tool, you can explore occupations in all six interest areas and for all five job zones. If you want to learn the details of any of the listed occupations, just click on the occupation title to obtain a report.

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Find Occupations That Match Your Work Values Many people feel that it is important that the occupation and job that they are working in is compatible with their strongest work values. If you are unsure of your work values, go back to Chapter 1 to find information on the Work Importance Profiler, a tool that helps you sort out your strongest work values. To find occupations that match your work values, use the tool in this section.


home page. Click on Find Occupations. 2. In the Browse by O*NET Descriptor section, click on Work Values

and read the titles and descriptions of the work values.

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3. Click the work value that is the strongest for you in order to see a list

of occupations that match that value. The example shows the list of occupations for the Support work value.

Note that you can change the Job Zone (the amount of education and training required by the occupation from a low of 1 to a high of 5) by selecting a different Job Zone number in the drop-down list. If you want more details about any of the occupations, click on the title of the occupation to obtain a detailed report.

Learn the License Requirements for Occupations Many occupations require that you have a license before you can legally work in the occupation. Most often you will need to take an exam before you are given a license to work. The Licensed Occupations tool provides information about licensing requirements for occupations all over the country. © JIST Works

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Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/licensedoccupations to

access the Licensed Occupations tool on America’s Career InfoNet. Notice that you can search by occupations, agency, or keyword. 2. Select the state. In the example, Kentucky is selected.

3. Click Next to enter your state selection and display a list of occupa-

tions. Select your occupation from the listing. In the example, the occupation of Landscape Architects is selected.

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4. Click Next and the tool will provide you the name of the license and

the various licensing boards that apply to the state and occupation you chose. The following figure shows results for landscape architects.

You can click on the name of the license to find out more about the requirements for obtaining the license.

Learn the Certification Requirements for Occupations Some occupations require you to be certified before you can legally work in the profession. Certifications are examinations that test or verify your knowledge, experience, or skills in an occupation or profession. The Certification Finder enables you to search for certifications by keyword, industry, or occupational area. Follow these steps to use this tool:

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/certifications_new to access

the Certification Finder on America’s Career InfoNet. 2. Select the occupational group in which your occupation belongs. In

the following figure, the Food Preparation and Serving Related occupational group is selected.

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3. Click Next to display a list of specific occupations for the group you

selected. Select the occupation that interests you. For example, select Bartenders.

4. Click Next to view a list of the certifications that are associated with

the occupation you selected. The following figure shows the list of certifications for bartenders.

5. Click on the certification name for more information about the

requirements for that certification.

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Locate the Fastest-Growing Occupations Sometimes the fastest-growing occupations offer opportunities for promotion that may occur faster than opportunities in slower-growing occupations. If you are interested in occupations that are growing rapidly, this Web tool is very useful.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/ to display the home page of

America’s Career InfoNet.

2. Click on Occupation Information. 3. Click on Fastest-Growing Occupations to display a Web page where

you can narrow your search. You can ask to see the fastest-growing occupations that require only work experience and on-the-job training, postsecondary training or an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree or higher. 4. Select the education level you are interested in to narrow the search or

select Overall to see all the occupations. For purposes of this example, select Requiring only work experience or on-the-job training.

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5. Click the Search button to display a list of occupations. The follow-

ing figure shows a sampling from a listing of more than 300 fastestgrowing occupations requiring only work experience or on-the-job training. You can see the occupational title, the number of jobs in the country at the latest count and 10 years in the future, the predicted percentage of increase in the number of jobs over time, the earnings, and the amount of education and training the occupation requires.

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To find out the status of the occupation in your particular state, click on the occupational title. By clicking on Earnings Quartile or Education or Training, you can obtain an explanation of that characteristic.

Locate the Occupations with the Most Job Openings You may want to find out which occupations have the most job openings. Training for an occupation with a lot of job openings may make it easier for you to find a job and to find it faster.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/ and click on Occupation

Information. 2. Click on Occupations with the Most Openings. 3. Select an educational level. In the example, Requiring post-

secondary training or an associate’s degree is selected.

4. Click on the Search button to find information on occupations that

match that educational level and that have the most job openings both nationwide and at the state level.

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The table in this example shows a sampling of the occupations with the most job openings that require less than a bachelor’s degree but more than on-the-job training. In this example, registered nurses have the most job openings, have good earnings, and require an associate degree. You can find out more about any of the occupations listed by clicking on the occupation’s title. By doing so, you also can find out the situation in your state.

Find Occupations in High-Growth, High-Demand Industries The Department of Labor’s Web site, Career Voyages, has been launched to make people aware of the opportunities in high-growth, high-demand industries. Several industries are highlighted, including advanced manufacturing, automotive, construction, energy, financial services, health care, hospitality, information technology, retail, and transportation. The site includes information on emerging technologies such as biotechnology, geospatial technology, and nanotechnology. These industries were selected because they are projected to add substantial numbers of new jobs to the economy or affect the growth of other industries, they are existing or emerging businesses being transformed by

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technology and innovation requiring new skills from workers, or they are economically vital to the overall health of the American economy. There are several ways to use this site to your benefit. The following instructions focus on finding the high-growth, high-demand occupations within these industries.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careervoyages.com to access the Career Voyages

home page. 2. Click on Students and then click on Which industries are growing?

to go to a site that includes a listing of fast-growing industries.

3. Click on the industry that you want to investigate. The page that

appears offers you a wealth of information about that industry. The example shows the information you would receive if you clicked on geospatial technology. From this page, you can link to related career videos, search for apprenticeships relating to this industry, and find community and 4-year colleges that offer education and training related to this industry.

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4. For the purpose of this Web tool, however, click on See the In-

Demand Occupations. You will receive a listing of the high-growth, high-demand occupations with the selected industry. The figure shows a sampling of the many occupations within the geospatial technology industry.

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Career Voyages provides multiple pieces of information on the occupations, including a description, state-level information, career videos, the projected number of employees needed, the projected growth, wage information, and the amount of education and training generally required for the occupation. Use this information to make decisions about the occupation you choose to enter.

Find a Federal Government Occupation The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for identifying and filling federal government jobs. You can learn about the requirements of a specific federal government occupation by going to its Web site.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://career.usajobs.opm.gov/cig/specific.asp to access

the part of the OPM Web site that allows you to learn about specific occupations. The figure shows a sampling of the occupations you can select from.

2. Select the occupation that you want to learn more about. For example,

select Horticulture. Then click the Find Occupation button. As the following figure shows, you can obtain a summary of the job description for that occupation and the minimal qualifications for that job.

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This Web tool is particularly helpful if you intend to work for the federal government.

Discover Information About Military Careers The military is the largest employer of persons in entry-level jobs, but not everyone has the qualifications necessary to be accepted. Depending on how you score on the military’s aptitude test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), you have the option of being trained on one of hundreds of jobs giving you skills that can be useful in the civilian world. For exceptional individuals, military leadership opportunities are unsurpassed in the civilian world. The military also has other requirements such as certain health and fitness levels and a clean behavior record. You can join the military as an officer if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher; otherwise, you can join as an enlisted person. For a variety of reasons, the military strongly prefers applicants for enlisted positions with a high school diploma. The military has several benefits beyond its salaries. You have health care, education benefits, and signing bonuses. Your opportunities may differ based on the branch of service you select—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. Find out about the opportunities before you make any firm decisions about your future.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careersinthemilitary.com to reach the basic

informational site for all military services.

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2. Click on Explore Different Careers. Here you can obtain informa-

tion about officer and enlisted occupations and learn about careers in the military by looking at an alphabetical list or by groups of similar occupations called job families.

3. Click on Alphabetical Job List to see the variety of occupations that

could be available to you in the military. The following figure shows a sampling of 140 occupational titles.

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4. Click on an occupational title to see a short description of the occupa-

tion, a listing of what people do in the occupation, the physical demands, helpful attributes, special attributes, training provided, civilian counterparts, and the outlook for the occupation. The following figure shows a portion of the description for meteorological specialists. Note that this occupation exists in all the services.

A military recruiter and counselor will be able to tell you more about your chances of getting into the military and your specific opportunities.

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Watch Videos About Occupations The tools mentioned in the previous sections give you loads of information about occupations and their characteristics and requirements. Those resources and tools are excellent because they are thorough and comprehensive. If you just want a short overview of an occupation, watching available videos is a good way to gain information. The videos are about 90 seconds long, but they are packed with important information so you need to listen carefully to every word of the narration. More than 500 videos are available from this Web tool, and new ones are added periodically.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careerinfonet.org to access the America’s Career

InfoNet home page. 2. Click on Videos to display a list of the different categories of videos.

Access any that you think will help you. Note that many of these videos are available in Spanish as well.

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3. To see videos that describe specific occupations, click on Cluster and

Career Videos. The screen will display a list of clusters or categories for available videos, a portion of which is shown in the following figure. There are many more categories to review on the Web site.

4. Click on the cluster that most interests you to see the variety of videos

available to you. The following figure shows you a few of the videos available to you in the Health Science area.

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5. Click on View to see the video or videos of most interest to you.

Watch as many videos as you feel are important and informative to you. You can even download any and all of the videos for future use. Notice that you can also view videos on industries, apprenticeships, on-the-job training, nontraditional work, and abilities needed in the world of work.

Landing on Your Feet This chapter showed you several interactive tools that can help you find out about occupations and careers. The more you know about the world of work and what is involved in each occupation, the better your decisions will be about which occupations and careers are best for you. Knowing about occupations and their requirements and characteristics helps you follow the process of informed career decision-making—using good information to guide your future. Going through the process to find the right career may sometimes feel intimidating and scary, but the tools in this chapter will help you sort through all the options. Working through the relevant tools will help give you the confidence to know that you have considered all the options and have made a decision best for you.

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Once you make a decision, follow the advice of Katherine Graham, who went from housewife to editor of one of the most powerful newspapers in the world. About taking on the challenge of a new career, she said, “What I essentially did was to put one foot in front of the other, shut my eyes and step off the ledge. The surprise was that I landed on my feet.” Knowing more about possible occupations before you decide on one will help you land on your feet, too!

Want to Know More? The resources listed in this section give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge about occupations and career planning. They are not interactive Web tools like those presented in this chapter, but the resources provide some excellent information and advice.

Occupational Information Career Guide to Industries http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm The Career Guide to Industries provides information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, training and advancement, earnings and benefits, employment outlook, and lists of organizations that can provide additional information. This edition of the Career Guide discusses 42 industries that account for more than 3 out of every 4 wage and salary jobs. CareerOINK http://www.careeroink.com The Career Occupational Information Kingdom, or CareerOINK, provides information on about 14,000 job titles. The information comes from career references such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook and the O*NET database, which are developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. This site also includes job search tips. Job Star Central http://www.jobstar.org/tools/career/spec-car.cfm This site provides some helpful information on several occupations, and it provides links to more information on each of the careers in its system.

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My Future.com http://www.myfuture.com/ This site provides some information about military occupations and offers information on the personal benefits provided when you join the military. New and Emerging Occupations http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/fall/art02.pdf Find out what the hot new occupations are. Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/ This online document provides data on more than 200 occupations. Users may find occupational information by searching for a specific occupation, browsing through the occupational clusters, or skimming through the entire occupation list. Information on each occupation includes earning potential, education, training requirements, and future employment outlook. Occupational Outlook Quarterly http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm This online document is published four times per year. It focuses on various occupation and job issues. Recent articles have focused on the job outlook for people who don’t have a bachelor’s degree, the job outlook for college graduates, finding jobs by doing good, the trend of more entrylevel jobs with fewer perks, and getting back to work after an absence from the labor force. Some Occupations Becoming More Gender-Neutral http://www.stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/winter/oochart.pdf This site provides a discussion on how occupations are increasingly open to both males and females. Today’s Military http://www.todaysmilitary.com/ This site contains helpful information on opportunities for careers in the military.

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Vocational Information Center http://www.khake.com/ This site leads you to links for several vocational occupations. It is an important portal to information on job categories, industries, and specific occupations.

Career Planning Career Myths and How to Debunk Them http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/fall/art01.pdf This government document provides practical advice on how to overcome incorrect assumptions about finding the right occupation and job. Choosing Your Career http://www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=Choosing_Your_Career.wmv&fspeed=56# Watch this video to learn about why it is important to find the right career for you. Mapping Your Future http://www.mapping-your-future.org/planning/ This guide outlines the decision-making process involved in choosing a career and helps you to match your characteristics to the characteristics of occupations.

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CHAPTER

Improve Your Job Skills “Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” — Abigail Adams

W

hatever career or job you select, you will need to make sure that you have the right skills, knowledge, and preparation to qualify for the job and excel in it. Some jobs may just require a basic high school education, some will require specific preparation and proven educational credentials, and yet others require particular educational degrees and preparation. The information in Chapter 2, “Find the Right Occupation,” provided you the opportunity to learn what the educational and training requirements are for various occupations. This chapter helps you find various programs, courses, and institutions that can help you prepare for your selected occupation and eventually land you a job. These days, good-paying jobs usually require at least a high school diploma. An employer may even request your high school transcripts to view your grades in certain subject areas. If you have dropped out of school and do not have your high school diploma, you must seriously consider earning the General Educational Development (GED) certificate as your first step to getting a good job. This section of the book provides information on how to do that. Also, other programs can help you with learning job skills, finding a job, and even monitoring your work progress. Many jobs require varying amounts of specialized postsecondary training, including requiring specific programs, apprenticeships, certifications, or licensing. This chapter explains how to find out about these specifications and criteria.

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In this increasingly technology-dominated world, online training and educational programs are more readily available. This chapter includes some very fine leads on how to find out more about these programs. Although many helpful programs require only the expenditure of your time and effort, most colleges and universities charge tuition for their courses and degrees. Go to Chapter 4, “Fund Your Education and Training,” to find ways to pay for your education and training. Sometimes obtaining a college education or even a graduate degree is necessary in order to enter certain occupational fields. On the whole, college graduates earn more than persons without that credential. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, “College graduates age 25 and over earn nearly twice as much as workers who stopped with a high school diploma. College graduates have experienced growth in real (inflation-adjusted) earnings since 1979. In contrast, high school dropouts have seen their real earnings decline.” The following chart shows that people with more education earn more money and have a higher employment rate.

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Improve Your Job Skills

on your part to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the career of your choice. Remember the words of the famous columnist Ann Landers when she said, “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” The tools and resources in this book will help you recognize the opportunities, but the hard work is up to you. Specific goals for this chapter of the book are to help you ✶ Find education and training institutions, courses, and programs that can prepare you for your occupation and job. ✶ Find programs that will help you gain the skills necessary to obtain jobs. ✶ Learn which occupations require licensing and certification and how to get these qualifications.

Learn How to Earn Your GED Certificate If you don’t have at least a high school diploma, you may be hurting your chances at a getting a good job. The General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program helps you earn a GED certificate, which often is considered an equivalent of a high school diploma. You get the certificate by passing a battery of tests. Various programs are available to help prepare you for the tests. Don’t think that earning a GED is an easy way out, however. The tests are rigorous—a substantial percentage of high school graduates cannot pass the GED. The tool in this section helps you learn more about the GED process.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acenet.edu to access the home page of the

American Council of Education. 2. In the Program or Service drop-down list, select GED Testing

Service.

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3. Locate the information that will help you understand and prepare for

taking the GED, learn about programs that will help you prepare for the GED, and learn how to understand and use your test scores. The following information is just a partial listing of the assistance you can find on this Web site.

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There are about 2,800 testing centers in the world where you can take the GED. Military personnel can take the GED tests at military installations with DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) testing centers.

Find Vocational Schools in Your State Organized by state and topic, this Web tool helps you link to vocational schools and privately sponsored vocational programs. By using this site, you can also find accredited distance education programs that offer certificates and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. You also can locate international schools.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.rwm.org/rwm/usamaplink.htm to display a

map of the United States. 2. Click on the state in which you would like to study. A list of training

fields offered in that state will appear. The following example shows a list of training fields for Minnesota.

3. Click on the training field that interests you to display the names of

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Shore Up Your Basic Literacy Skills You may need to beef up your basic literacy skills before you begin to think about getting a job. If so, America’s Literacy Directory can help you find programs in your area. This national database of programs connects employers, learners, volunteers, and social service providers to information about literacy programs across the United States and its territories.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.literacydirectory.org/to pull up the home page

for America’s Literacy Directory.

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2. Enter your ZIP code or city and state. Then select the distance you

would be willing to travel to find programs from the drop-down list. 3. Select the type of program you are looking for. This page helps you

search for programs to help you improve your reading, writing, and math skills; learn English; and prepare for and obtain the GED. 4. Click Search. Doing such a search will likely bring up several pro-

grams in your area.

Find Local Services to Help You Improve Your Job Skills Federal and state governments have developed and organized products and services to provide you with a variety of assistance in preparing for a job, determining what occupations might be best for you, finding local training providers, planning your career, dealing with a job loss, and taking helpful workshops. America’s Service Locator is a user-friendly Web tool that will help you find services that you need and that are close to where you live.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.servicelocator.org/.

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2. Enter your ZIP code or city and state and select the distance you are

willing to travel from the drop-down list. 3. Click on Search to find the service offices that are nearest to you. 4. Click the Detailed Info link for the office that interests you to read

the detailed information about that office. Many of these offices provide youth services, job hunting tips and services, help in preparing for the GED exam, skills training, English language training, and assessment services.

Build Skills at a Community College Nearly half of college students are being educated at community colleges. Why? Because they can find great education and training in these institutions’ programs. Their proximity to students is one of the great benefits. In addition, the tuition for community colleges is far lower than that for colleges and universities. They’re one of the best bargains in higher education. Community colleges provide both basic education and opportunities to build skills that are needed in the workplace. For example, many community colleges help high school dropouts obtain a high school diploma or a GED certificate and complete specialized certificate programs. Community colleges also provide remedial instruction in reading and/or math to students so that they can become eligible to take college courses. Community colleges also provide the necessary basic courses that you can use to apply toward earning a college degree. By offering programs that can provide skilled workers for local businesses, community colleges respond to local needs. In addition, community colleges often have aggressive programs to help students find jobs. It’s often said that many people with university degrees will go to a community college so that they can obtain the skills necessary to get a good job. You can increase your value in the job market by obtaining new skills or upgrading the skills you have, and community college programs can be an affordable, practical way to improve your skills. The Community College Finder can help you find a community college that suits your needs.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.aacc.nche.edu to access the American

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2. Use one of the following two methods of accessing the Community

College Finder. Click About Community Colleges and then click Community College Finder in the screen that appears. Your other option is to move to the Find Your Community College section and click on Or, visit our interactive directory. 3. Click on the picture of your state to access information about the

community colleges in your state. The following figure shows a portion of the list for Colorado.

4. Click on the name of the community college that seems good for you

in order to display its contact information, as shown in the following figure. You can find out more details about the community college and the programs it offers by clicking on its Web site.

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Find Education and Training Institutions You may already know that you want to go to a special training institution, community college, or university or college to prepare for the occupation you have chosen. The IPEDS College Opportunities On-Line Web tool, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, can help you find the institution that best meets your needs and requirements. This Web tool is especially helpful if you are searching for postsecondary programs with specific criteria in mind. For example, you may only want a school within driving distance of your home or with a student enrollment of a particular size. Maybe you’re looking for a specific type of institution or a school in a particular state, or maybe several factors are important to you.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/ to access the tool. From

this Web page, you can search for education and training institutions by several factors, including ✶ Geographic region ✶ State ✶ City ✶ Maximum distance from ZIP code ✶ Type of institution ✶ Instructional program ✶ Name of institution ✶ Number of students enrolled

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2. Select the criteria that are useful to you. 3. Click the Search button to see a list of institutions that match the cri-

teria you selected. The following example shows a portion of the result for a search for institutions that offer instructional programs in Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences. Note that more than 600 institutions offer programs in that subject area.

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4. To find out more about any institution in the results, click on the name

of the institution.

Find Institutions with Specific Accreditations Often, employers and others will consider hiring only people who have obtained their education or training from an accredited institution. To be accredited, an institution has to show that it meets particular standards set forth by the accrediting agency. Sometimes a whole school is accredited, but in other cases only specific programs receive accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education offers a great Web tool to help you research the accreditations of universities or postsecondary programs that interest you. The Web tool helps you sort through approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs. Each of these is accredited by an accrediting agency or state approval agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a “reliable authority as to the quality of postsecondary education” within the meaning of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). Keep in mind that although the database that the tool uses does not include postsecondary educational institutions and programs that elect not to seek accreditation, these institutions and programs may provide a quality postsecondary education nevertheless.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.asp to access

the Web tool.

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2. Enter the name of the institution you are considering or select the

name of the particular accreditation that you are interested in learning about. 3. Click the Search button to see the institutions that match the criteria

you selected. For example, searching for institutions that are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools brings up a list of more than 200 schools.

4. Click on the name of a school to find more about the school and its

programs, as shown in the following example.

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Choose the Right College for You If you are somewhat unclear about the college or university that is best for you, but you know some of the characteristics that are important to you, then the College Finder is a good tool. It is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. You will be asked to identify the type of college you would like to attend, location, setting, size, academic program, cost, type of campus life, and student body you prefer. The tool even asks you to identify how important each of these characteristics is to your college selection.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/. 2. In the College Selection area, click the Next button. 3. In the Search With the College Finder area, click the Next button to

access the College Finder, bringing up the following image.

4. Answer numerous questions about your college preferences such as

your preferred location, student body size, academic programs, etc. to receive a listing of colleges that could be right for you. The following figure shows you a sampling of the colleges that might show up after you finish providing your search criteria. In the following example, there are 130 possible matches.

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5. Click a button next to a college that interests you for more informa-

tion. Click on the APP INFO button for application information, click on the Campus Tour button to access more detailed information about the college, or click on the Add to MyFSA button to search for information about student financial aid.

Use Technology to Access Courses, Certificates, and Degrees Getting an education online is becoming increasingly popular because of its accessibility by individuals regardless of their location. Worldwide Learn provides a tool to access programs by degree, subject, certificate, international schools, language, and so on.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-degrees to access

the home page.

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2. Click on the degree or subject area that interests you. For example,

click on Bachelor Degree.

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3. Click on the type of program or major that attracts you. The example

shows a small portion of the many programs available in the area of Communication Arts. By clicking on the name of the institution, you can find out more about its requirements, including an overview of the program and tuition information. From this site you also can contact the university for more information.

Take Free Courses in Several Subject Areas If you are trying to beef up your background in certain academic and vocational areas, this Web tool can be pretty useful. One of the many course offerings is an extensive course on preparing for the GED.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.free-ed.net and click on the Start Here button.

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2. Select the area in which you have an interest from the selections

shown. Areas include health care, science, information technology, building and construction, electronics, mathematics, and GED and college preparation. 3. Review the courses available to you and take the one or ones that best

meet your needs. The following figure shows a small sampling of the courses available in the Information Technology area.

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Take Free Business Courses If you choose to create and run your own business, a lot of helpful information is available through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA’s Small Business Training Network is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops, and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise. The Training Network makes SBA’s business management resources available anytime and anywhere. Courses change and are added as needed. At the present time, more than 50 free courses are provided in such categories as marketing, finance, e-commerce, international trade, federal tax training, financing, risk management, business management, starting a business, and business planning. Several courses are interactive, but without a live instructor; others have a live instructor to guide you through the course. Note that you need to have an audio card in the computer you are using to access these courses.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.sba.gov/training/courses.html to find these

courses. Most of the courses are interactive; some are available in Spanish. The following information shows a sampling of what you will find on this Web site.

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2. Click on the course title you are interested in taking. Note that some of

the courses are offered by agencies and organizations outside the SBA. Also, some courses display a simple Student Registration form for you to fill out before accessing the course. The following example shows the opening screen for the class called “Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing Your Own Business.”

Locate IT Training Programs That Are Right for You The information technology (IT) area provides some excellent job opportunities. Employers generally expect you to have gained your skills through various education or training programs. To find out what programs are available, use this Web tool.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.go4it.gov/explore.cfm to access a Web tool that

contains information about IT programs across the country.

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2. Select the program type, the state or region you are interested in, and

any keywords that you feel are appropriate. 3. Click the Search button. You can find commercial programs, high

school programs, college programs, financial support, on-the-job training, internships, opportunities for the disadvantaged, job opportunities, and so on. The following figure shows a sampling of the program information that you can find with this tool.

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4. Click on the name of the institution to find out more about its pro-

grams and offerings.

Calculate Your Anticipated Wages Using Your Education Level Generally the more education you have, the higher your annual wages will be. To see how this general rule applies to specific jobs and education changes you are considering or to get an idea of your wages for any given occupational area based on the education level you attain, use this online calculator.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://teen.educationpays.org/calc.asp to access the

Education Pays Web site.

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2. Select the occupation and education level and click on Calculate. The

figure shows an example of the anticipated salary of a person in the automotive service technicians and mechanics area combined with an education level of less than a high school diploma. Notice how much the salary increases if you obtain higher levels of education and training.

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The Best Place for the Next Moment This chapter provided you with several tools to expand your job skills with education and training programs. The Web tools provided span the full range of educational attainment, from earning a GED and participating in an apprenticeship program to learning at a community college, earning a bachelor’s degree, and gaining a graduate education. Clearly the more skills and education you have, the better positioned you are to obtain employment, earn a higher salary, support a desired lifestyle, and stay employed throughout your lifetime. Regardless of the education and training you obtain, you will need to refresh and replenish your skills in order to be attractive and valuable to an employer. Poet and author Bob Perelman emphasized the importance of continually upgrading your capabilities when he said, “Learning is what most adults will do for a living in the 21st century.” The tools in this chapter show you some ways of continuing to improve your job skills through distance education opportunities, free courses, and other training programs. The tools provided in this book can show you opportunities, but you will have to take responsibility for applying yourself and making use of those opportunities. Pay attention to the words of television personality Oprah Winfrey when she said, “My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.”

Want to Know More? Many documents offer additional information about education and training. The resources provided in this listing will help you better understand why education is important, learn how to obtain a GED, gain work experience, select an education and training program, understand more about learning at a distance, and see the many opportunities for further education provided by the military. Some of these resources are valuable to you now; others will become valuable as you consider various educational and training options.

Benefits to Education The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-210.pdf This document shows the financial payoff of getting education and training beyond high school. © JIST Works

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Do High-Paying Jobs Require College? http://teen.educationpays.org/factsheets/edpaysfact4.pdf This resource provides information about the relationship between college degrees and salary. Job Outlook for People Who Don’t Have a Bachelor’s Degree http://stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/winter/art01.pdf As the title suggests, this document will show you what occupations are good prospects for persons without a college degree. This document is produced by government experts at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Make High School Count http://www.mapping-your-future.org/downloads/MHSCStudents.pdf This pamphlet gives some basic overall advice on how to take advantage of your high school years in preparation for your future activities.

Getting Your GED General Informational Bulletin on the GED http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/education/ged/t_ged.htm This site offers good overview information on the GED and the process to earn the certificate. Sample GED Test Questions http://www.acenet.edu Select the GED Testing Service from the Program or Service drop-down list. Then click on GED Sample Test Questions. This publication shows examples of what to expect on the GED test. The test covers writing, reading, social studies, science, and mathematics. What to Expect on the GED Tests http://www.acenet.edu/ Select the GED Testing Service from the Program or Service drop-down list. Then click on What to Expect on the GED Tests. This publication shows you the number of items on the GED and in what areas of study they are arranged. It also helps you obtain various GED preparation tools that can help you score well.

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Gaining Work Experience Gaining Experience http://www.ecommandos.com/nw/playcollege.php?fname=How_To_Get_Experience.wmv Download this video to see how your education experience translates to job experience. Idealist.org http://www.idealist.org/ In the Resources for section, click on Job Seekers to access information on internships and other opportunities in the nonprofit area. Internship Programs.com http://www.internshipprograms.com/ Use this site to search for internship opportunities offered by employers who are looking exclusively for interns. MentorNet http://www.mentornet.net/ This site is designed to provide e-mail mentoring primarily to women and underrepresented groups in the field of mathematics, science, and engineering who are in community college or are undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral students, or untenured faculty. Members of MentorNet who attend one of the sponsoring colleges or universities can post their resumes for review by businesses that are part of the program. National Association of Service and Conservation Corps http://www.nascc.org/introtocorps.htm Looking for a second chance at life, corpsmembers gain work experience by working on a wide range of conservation, urban, and human service projects. Corpsmembers receive work experience as well as a living allowance, classroom training to improve basic skills, an opportunity to earn a GED or high school diploma, technical skills training, and an opportunity for an Americorps post-service educational award. Rising Star Internships http://www.rsinternships.com/typesii.htm Search this site for available internships in several sectors.

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Selecting an Education or Training Program Avoid Fake Degree Burns by Researching Academic Credentials http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/diplomamills.pdf This document is written for the human resources professional and employer, but it contains some good information on how to identify degree programs that are not legitimate. Career Colleges and Technical Schools http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/consumerinfo This site provides you with some questions to ask about a school or vocational program. It also provides information on how to select the school, how to finance your education, and other important issues. Center for Employment Training (CET) http://www.cetweb.org/ Although not created or funded by the federal government, CET has a great track record of helping a wide age range of individuals from 18 to 60. More than half of the participants are high school dropouts. It operates training centers in 11 states and the District of Columbia. CET participants train for six to seven hours a day, five days a week until they can demonstrate a high level of competence in a given skill. The program has been shown to increase employment and wages for graduates. Choosing a Career or Vocational School http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/votech.htm Good private vocational schools train students for a variety of skilled jobs from auto mechanics to medical assistants and hair stylists. Many of these schools also help their students find jobs after they complete their training. However, several vocational schools focus more on enrolling students and collecting tuition than providing quality training. This article provides many tips for students to help them determine whether a private vocational school can deliver what it promises. College and University Directory http://www.50states.com/college/ This site provides a listing of colleges and universities by state. From there you can link to the home pages of the schools.

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College MatchMaker http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp This site helps you find a college based on certain general criteria. The database has more than 3,600 colleges that could match to your preferences. Community College Directory http://www.50states.com/cc/ This site provides a listing of community colleges by state. From there you can link to the home page of the schools. National Directory of Vocational Schools http://www.military.com/Education Scroll down the Education page at the Military.com site to the Technical Training Options heading and click on the Is trade school right for you? link. Click on the Trade Schools link to access the National Directory of Vocational Schools. This directory provides a listing of vocational schools in every state that are accredited by the relevant governing body and accept veteran’s benefits. The directory also includes technology courses such as MCSE Certification, Novell Networking, A+ Certification, and similar programs. Overview of Accreditation http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation.html#Overview This U.S. Department of Education site explains school accreditation procedures in the United States. USNews.com Education http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm U.S. News & World Report provides rankings of universities and graduate schools. The Web site includes a search tool allowing you to find undergraduate schools by location, program, distance from home, enrollment, selectivity, religious affiliation, gender, major, and so on. You can also search e-learning programs using similar criteria.

Preparing for College College Is Possible http://www.collegeispossible.org/ In the References section, click on Preparing for College and then click on the Recommended Middle and High School Courses link. This © JIST Works

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document gives you a semester-by-semester listing of courses you should take in middle school or junior high and high school in order to prepare yourself for success in college. Helping Yourself with Study Skills: Online http://www.ccn.ac.uk/library/online.asp This site offers an online course in improving your study skills. Topics include managing time and space, taking notes, writing essays, and taking exams. Senior Year College Planning Calendar http://www.mapping-your-future.org/features/seniorcalendar.htm This information will help high school students stick to a schedule as they prepare to attend college. It suggests timelines for applying to a college and asking for financial aid. Study Guides and Strategies http://www.studygs.net/ This site offers dozens of free guides and tips for topics that will help you succeed in your education and training. Topics include learning to learn, managing time, motivating yourself, active listening, learning as an adult, and effective study habits.

Learning at a Distance Best Distance Learning Graduate Schools Guidebooks http://www.geteducated.com/ This site offers free guidebooks to download that profile accredited online graduate schools in business, education, computer science, library science, and engineering. Simply go to the site, find the heading for Free Guidebooks, and click on the subject that interests you. All of these useful guidebooks profile the programs available, costs, and other details. The guides are updated periodically to be sure that the most current information is available to you. Programs and universities in these guides must be headquartered in the United States, be approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, and offer either post-baccalaureate degrees or certificates.

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Business Week Online Courses http://www.bwcourses.com/ Register with Business Week and gain access to several online courses led by professionals in the field. Sample courses include “Writing a High-Impact Business Plan” and “Setting Up a Wireless Home Network.” Distance Education: A Consumer’s Guide http://www.wcet.info/resources/publications/conguide/ This student guide provides practical information for the potential distance education student. Distance Education and Training Council http://www.detc.org/degree.html This site provides a list of distance education degree-granting postsecondary institutions. Distance Learning Course Finder http://www.coursefinders.com/ The site offers information in several languages. It focuses on various distance learning opportunities, including learning a language. Be on the lookout for the inclusion of a site that will provide a directory of more than 55,000 distance learning courses. Distance Learning Program Search http://www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/search.asp You can use this Web site to find a distance education program that is right for you based on your degree requirements and your field of study. You can search by name of an institution, keyword, field of study, and type of degree. You can also search for non-degree courses. Distance Learning Self Assessment http://www.petersons.com/dlwizard/code/default.asp By answering the questions on this assessment, you will be able to determine whether you are ready to undertake courses by distance education.

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Sample Online Universities Capella University https://www.capella.edu/ Capella is currently the fastest-growing online university. It has accredited programs in five schools: Education, Human Services, Psychology, Business and Technology, and Undergraduate Studies. Jones International University http://www.jonesinternational.edu Although several universities now offer courses and degree programs delivered online, Jones University was the very first to obtain full accreditation for its program. National University http://www.nu.edu/About/TheUniversity.html National University offers more than 35 online graduate and undergraduate degree programs as well as online credential and certificate programs. University of Maryland University College http://www.umuc.edu This university serves the nontraditional student with worldwide programs. University of Phoenix http://www.phoenix.edu If you are a working adult, the programs offered through this university may be of interest to you. Western Governors University http://www.wgu.edu This university offers several online graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates.

Military Opportunities Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) http://www.lewis.army.mil/eso/aarts1.htm AARTS provides enlisted soldiers/veterans with transcripts documenting military-related experiences/educational achievements. Having this information is useful in continuing one’s education and obtaining a job.

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ConAP: Concurrent Admissions Program for Army Enlistees http://www.soc.aascu.org/conap/ This program encourages persons entering the military to apply to colleges at the same time. The intent is to increase the number of army personnel who continue their education during and after their term in the military and increase the use of the Montgomery GI Bill education benefits. DANTES Examination Programs http://www.dantes.doded.mil Select Examination Programs and choose a menu option to find out information about the wide range of examination programs that DANTES sponsors to assist service members in meeting their educational goals. The examinations are administered on more than 560 military installations by the DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO), who is normally the Education Services Officer or Navy College Education Specialist for the military installation. About 150,000 DANTES-sponsored examinations are administered each year to military personnel. DANTES Nationally Accredited Distance Learning Programs http://www.dantescatalogs.com/NADLP/NADLPNav.asp This site lists those programs that are accredited by DANTES for use by service members. Distributed Training Technology Project (DTTP) http://www.dttp.ngb.army.mil/ DTTP is a communications and learning-delivery system designed to support the National Guard’s missions at home and abroad. Soldiers can now study foreign languages and improve skills in reading, writing, critical thinking, and information technology. The system includes more than 300 specially designed multimedia classrooms throughout the country that are linked by a terrestrial network and emerging satellite technologies. eArmyU.com www.earmyu.com The eArmyU program is an Army education initiative designed to offer eligible enlisted soldiers the opportunity to work toward a college degree or certificate anytime, anywhere. Students may select from 146 certificate or degree programs from a home institution while taking courses across 29 regionally accredited, eArmyU-participating colleges and universities.

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MarineNet https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/portal/ This continuing education site provides online and paper-based courses with 24/7 access, detailed tracking of learning progress, the opportunity to take online exams, and instant course feedback. Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) http://www.soc.aascu.org/ SOC is a consortium of more than 1,550 colleges and universities that provide educational opportunities for service members and their families. It provides the opportunity for service members to take courses at one institution and have them count toward a degree at another institution. Veterans Upward Bound Program http://www.veteransupwardbound.org/vetub.html This free U.S. Department of Education program is designed to help eligible U.S. military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can successfully complete the postsecondary school of their choosing. You can participate in the program if you are a low-income or first-generation college student and veteran.

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CHAPTER

Fund Your Education and Training “If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the highest return.” — Ben Franklin

C

hapter 3, “Improve Your Job Skills,” highlighted education and training opportunities. Many people feel hampered from pursuing such opportunities because they don’t have the required funds for tuition, books, and subsistence. This chapter shows you the tools to use to find the funding for education and training goals. Billions of dollars are available to help you fund your educational goals. In 2002–2003 alone, more than $105 billion was provided as student aid, most of it from federal sources. The help comes in the form of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, cooperative work experience, work-study programs, apprenticeships, and internships. It takes time to sift through the financial aid possibilities, but remember that you are trying to fulfill your goals and dreams. Some of the financial aid programs give you work experience while you earn some money. For example, internships are particularly good ways to earn money while gaining work experience in your chosen field. A recent report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers indicated that the average pay for interns in most fields of study is substantially above the federal minimum wage. In addition, internships are a good way for an employer to review your work before offering you a job.

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If you search the Web on your own, you will likely find many sites that will provide you with scholarship and loan information, but beware. Many of the sites sell the contact and personal information you provide, and others want to sell you various items and services. Still others may charge you a fee or want you to work with specific lenders that pay a fee to be represented on a particular Web site. The Federal Trade Commission cautions people to look for telltale lines used by scholarships sites you may want to avoid, including ✶ “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” ✶ “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” ✶ “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” ✶ “We’ll do all the work.” ✶ “The scholarship will cost some money.” ✶ “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship.” ✶ “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered. If you give your information to any of these kinds of sites, there may be some unpleasant strings attached. Be aware and careful. There is another catch. Most of the federal aid funds or participation in federal job training programs are not available for males between 18 and 26 who are U.S. citizens living anywhere or noncitizens living in the United States unless they have registered for the Selective Service. There are some exceptions, such as if you are an active-duty member of the military. If you apply for federal aid funds, the U.S. Department of Education sends your name to the Selective Service to see whether you have registered. The restriction regarding receiving financial aid applies in many states as well and can block you from many state programs. The best advice is to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of your 18th birthday to avoid prosecution, a hefty fine, and/or a jail term. This chapter provides you with excellent and credible resources that provide you financial aid information. Not all the Web tools refer to college and university programs; some of the opportunities listed in the chapter give you access to some excellent training programs that give you the skills to qualify for a job. © JIST Works

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Fund Your Education and Training

Don’t overlook the resource portion of this chapter because some wonderful opportunities and helpful information are listed there. The resources are descriptive documents or brochures, rather than interactive tools, but the information they provide is extremely helpful and important for you to investigate. Be persistent. This chapter of the book will show you how to ✶ Use various tools to locate and obtain financial support for furthering your education and training. ✶ Find ways to gain work experience while earning money.

Get Free Education and Training Through Job Corps The U.S. Department of Labor administers an education and vocational training program called Job Corps that helps young adults train for and obtain better jobs, earn higher incomes, and take charge of their lives. It is the largest and most comprehensive residential education and job training program. It operates in partnership with corporations, labor organizations, trade associations, and volunteer groups. At Job Corps, you can enroll to learn a trade, earn a high school diploma or GED, and get help finding a good job. Job Cops programs combine classroom, practical, and work-based learning experiences to help young people prepare for stable, long-term, and high-paying jobs. After you obtain a job, Job Corps will also track your progress and help you with any problems for a period of 12 months. To participate in Job Corps, you need to ✶ Be at least 16 and no older than 24 years old. ✶ Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. ✶ Meet certain income requirements. ✶ Be prepared to work hard in an educational environment. Recent studies have shown that Job Corps participants were more likely to be employed, had higher-paying jobs, received less welfare, had lower arrest and conviction rates, and were generally healthier than a similar group without Job Corps participation.

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Step by Step 1. Go to http://jobcorps.doleta.gov/about.cfm to reach the Job

Corps Web site and learn how to apply to the program. 2. Click English to download the Job Corps Information Brochure that

will tell you more about the program (there is also a link for the Spanish version). The document also gives you an 800 phone number to call.

Obtain Training and Education Through YouthBuild USA YouthBuild USA is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program focuses on unemployed and underemployed youth ages 16 to 25. The program emphasizes academic remediation, including preparation for a GED, a high school diploma, or college and skills training in the construction area. The data show that people who completed the program were likely to have a job or be in postsecondary education.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ybwebsta.org/closest/closestsite.cfm to find a

local site closest to you. Enter your ZIP code and select a maximum distance from your location or select a state from the drop-down list.

2. Click Search to get a listing of nearby YouthBuild programs. © JIST Works

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Hone Your Skills While Earning a Wage An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation. Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations. Nearly 30,000 apprenticeship programs are available in the United States. Apprenticeships generally provide you a wage while you are getting onthe-job training. Your wages increase as your skill level increases. Almost a half million people are currently in apprenticeship programs. The Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT) registers apprenticeship programs and apprentices in 23 states and assists and oversees State Apprenticeship Councils (SACs) that perform these functions in 27 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The government’s role is to first, safeguard the welfare of apprentices; second, ensure the quality of and equality of access to apprenticeship programs; and third, provide integrated employment and training information to sponsors and the local employment and training community. BAT also offers a tool on its Web site to help you find apprenticeship opportunities in your state.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://bat.doleta.gov/bat.cfm to search for possible appren-

ticeships nationwide. Select the state in which you hope to obtain an apprenticeship. 2. Select the county in which you hope to obtain an apprenticeship.

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3. Click the Search button to display a list of apprenticeships for the

location you selected. Review the list for apprenticeships that are of interest to you. In the following example, for the state of Pennsylvania and for Bucks County in particular, there are almost 200 apprenticeship sponsors. A few of those are shown. The information changes frequently.

4. Click on the apprenticeship occupation that is of interest to you to

display the apprenticeships that are presently available in that occupation. The following figure shows some of the companies that sponsor © JIST Works

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electrician apprentices. Each sponsor determines when they take applications for new apprentices.

5. Click the View Detail button for the sponsor that is of most interest

to you to get more information.

Search for Scholarships Getting an education or participating in a training program costs money. With a little amount of effort, you might find some financial support. Several scholarship searches are available. The one highlighted here is easy to use and contains very good information.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/scholarshipsearch/ to

access the Scholarship Search home page. 2. Click on Search By Keyword to search for scholarships using a key-

word. Enter a keyword, such as nursing, in the text box.

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3. Click the Next button to display a listing of scholarships that you can

investigate. The following figure shows a sampling of the 305 scholarships found using nursing as the keyword.

4. Click on a scholarship name to read more information about the

scholarship. By clicking on Category Search, you can also use this tool to find financial support that matches the following categories: © JIST Works

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✶ Award Type: fellowships, grants, loans, prizes, and scholarships ✶ Residence: specific state or Canadian province ✶ Study Level: two-year college, university, undergraduate, graduate, and so on ✶ Affiliation: ethnic group, military, disability, or religion

Find United Negro College Fund Scholarship Opportunities As the country’s most prominent minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) administers many scholarships. This site includes those and many other scholarships. This Web tool allows you to search by keyword, by location, and by major. Many scholarships can be applied for online by sending an application directly to the funding organization. Students who are enrolled at a UNCF member college should fill out a student profile. Doing this allows scholarship managers to search for scholarships for you.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.uncf.org/scholarships/scholarshipsearch.asp

to view the scholarship search site.

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2. Complete the information requested by the Web tool and click Search

when you are done to display a list of scholarships. The example shows a search for the state of Georgia requesting scholarship information for all undergraduate years. This search brought up more than 140 scholarships. The figure shows a small sampling of the results.

Apply for Federal Student Financial Aid If you meet eligibility criteria, the federal government can help you obtain financial aid for your schooling. To be eligible for federal aid, you must be ✶ A U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. ✶ Registered with Selective Service (if you are male). ✶ Attending a participating school. ✶ Working toward a degree or certificate. ✶ Making satisfactory academic progress. Other restrictions are noted on the FAFSA Web site. The first step in obtaining this aid is to complete a FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. To save time, you can fill out and submit this application online.

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Before beginning the application, you need to gather the following documents: ✶ Your Social Security number (can be found on Social Security card) ✶ Your driver’s license (if any) ✶ Your most recent W-2 Forms and other records of money earned ✶ Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) most recent federal income tax return ✶ Your parents’ most recent federal income tax return (if you are a dependent student) ✶ Your most recent untaxed income records ✶ Your current bank statements ✶ Your current business, mortgage, and other investment records ✶ Your alien registration or permanent residence card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to display the FAFSA home page.

2. Click Fill out a FAFSA and read the information that is displayed. 3. Select the FAFSA you want to fill out and click the Next button. Read

the information about obtaining and using PIN numbers.

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4. Click Next to move to a secure connection where you can fill out the

FAFSA. Follow the instructions carefully. Once you complete the information, you can submit the application. You will receive a report that outlines the type of aid for which you are eligible. Your eligibility for aid depends on your expected family contribution, your year in school, enrollment status, and the cost of attendance at your school.

Use the Financial Aid Advisor The Financial Aid Advisor, which is offered by America’s Career InfoNet, helps you fund your career preparation. The site asks you to answer a fairly extensive list of questions to see what type of aid you might qualify for, where to go for more complete information on eligibility, and how to apply.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/finaidadvisor to reach the

Web site and begin to use the Advisor. Note that the site suggests that you pull together a number of documents from which you will need to extract information. 2. Click on the Begin button. You will be asked to answer a number of

questions about your personal situation. The following figure shows a sampling of the questions you need to answer.

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3. Click the Next button to receive information about your dependency

status on a new screen. 4. Click the Next button on that screen to answer still more questions,

some of which involve obtaining your financial records. Be sure to provide all the information requested.

5. Click the Next button to view a list of possible areas of financial sup-

port. Click on the title to find out more. The information that is provided to you is very extensive and comprehensive. The sample opportunities below are both national and state specific.

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6. Click on the links to financial aid assistance programs that seem most

relevant to you.

Get Funds and Work Experience Through the Federal Government The federal government offers hundreds of scholarships, grants, internships, and co-op programs. Depending on the opportunity, you might receive financial support or work experience. Some opportunities provide both. The basic purpose of the support is to encourage public service careers. Some support opportunities are specific to a particular area of study, and each has its own set of requirements. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management offers the e-Scholar tool to help you compare programs to determine which one is best for you.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp to access the

site that holds the information on financial and work experience opportunities.

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2. Click on the kind of opportunity that interests you: apprenticeships,

co-op opportunities, fellowships, grants, internships, or scholarships. You should give these opportunities in the federal government a long hard look, because many of the support opportunities are quite generous. For example, the person who is awarded the Henry Alfred Kissinger Chair in Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Library of Congress (listed in the Scholarships section) receives a stipend of $135,000 for the 10-month term. Other scholarships are available for students interested in careers in science, computers, or medicine. Fellowships include opportunities for undergraduates, graduates, and professionals to work with federal agencies ranging from NASA to the Library of Congress. Explore the site further to identify other opportunities.

Use the Montgomery GI Bill The Montgomery GI Bill is available for active-duty military and veterans to help with education costs. You can get up to 36 months of education benefits for ✶ College, business, technical, or vocational courses ✶ Distance learning including correspondence courses ✶ Certification tests ✶ Apprenticeship/Job training (veterans and reserve only) ✶ Flight training Full-time students who are enrolled in an accredited college or university can get up to $1,004 a month to cover education costs, including costs associated with high-tech or vocational-technical programs. That means you can get more than $36,000 for your education. Benefits are usually good only up to 10 years after you separate from the military under honorable conditions. These benefits change periodically. Some benefits are also available to the Selected Reserve and National Guard. Benefits have increased since September 11, 2001. You can find the most recent information on the Veteran’s Administration Web site. Go to http://www.gibill.va.gov/ to find the specific benefits, the authorized schools, and procedures for application.

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Identify Scholarships for Veterans, Active-Duty Military, or Military Dependents Some scholarships, loans, and other opportunities are available for activeduty military, retired military, veterans, and military dependents.

Step by Step 1. Go to www.military.com to begin your search. 2. Under the Education heading, click on the word scholarships to dis-

play a page where you enter your information. 3. Select options from the drop-down lists and groups of check boxes to

complete the form. The following example is for a Navy veteran from Iowa who is looking for scholarships.

4. Click the Find Scholarships button to get your results. The next

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Organizing Around a Goal If you want to obtain education and training to enhance your career opportunities and quality of life and don’t have the resources, don’t spend time worrying about it. Instead, spend your time looking at the tools and resources in this chapter and finding the financial support that is available to you. You need to be persistent about the task. In the words of inventor Thomas Alva Edison, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” A lack of financial resources should not be an obstacle to obtaining job skills that will help you get a job or advance in your career. The tools in this chapter show you that many scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans are available to help support your educational and training goals. The previous chapter, Chapter 3, even showed you some ways to get training and take courses with no cost to you. The only obstacle between you and improved education and job skills is your commitment to the goal. Keep in mind the encouraging statement made by author Elbert Hubbard when he said, “Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies

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around a goal.” Dr. Phil, TV personality, said it a slightly different way when he commented, “The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline.” Establish your goal, create a timeline, and go for it!

Want to Know More? There are so many ways to obtain funding for your education and training goals. The tools in this chapter will help you search for many of the alternatives. In addition, there are several excellent documents that help you better understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various funding options. Download the resources that you think will help you the most. The documents will help you learn about saving plans and prepaid tuition programs; tax implications of various student aid opportunities; and loans, apprenticeships, scholarships, and work study opportunities. For people just starting out in their careers, the listing of fellowship, internship, and work-study situations within the federal government may be of particular use. Look also for the many educational opportunities provided for current and former members of the military.

General Information About Funding Education and Training College Savings Plan Network http:// www.collegesavings.org/ This site includes links to state-sponsored savings and prepaid tuition plans, two popular vehicles for college savings. Coverdell Education Savings Accounts http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ From the Federal Student Aid Web site, click on the Funding tab and then click on the Saving Money for College link to access information about Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (formerly known as Education IRAs). These accounts allow family members to contribute up to $2,000 a year to a student’s account. The money in that account is allowed to grow tax-free until the student is ready for college. The student can then withdraw the money to pay for eligible educational expenses without having to pay taxes on it.

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Federal Grants http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/index.htm Click on Types of Federal Student Aid to read about both the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be paid back. FinAid http://www.finaid.org/ This site provides information about scholarships and loans and has links to some good information about saving for future education. Financial Aid Information for Persons with Disabilities http://www.heath.gwu.edu/ This site offers a useful financial aid guide that you can download. Financial Fitness Tools http://www.mapping-your-future.org/features/dmtensteps.htm This site provides you with information on some of the basics of funding your education and training and how to plan for the expenses. Many of the concepts apply to anyone who will be borrowing money. National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators http://www.nasfaa.org/ On this site you can find information on preparing for college academically and financially as indicated by campus financial aid administrators. Pay for College http://www.collegeboard.com/pay/ This site offers a scholarship search tool and several college financing calculators in addition to information about educational loans and other financing options. Publication 970 (2004), Tax Benefits for Education http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html This is the definitive IRS publication on all the rules and regulations applying to the taxation of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and so on. The table of contents is linked to the various sections pertinent to your situation.

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Student Aid for Parents and Students http://www.studentaid.org/ This site offers many helpful publications about student financial aid, including topics such as saving for college and obtaining student financial aid. Many of the publications are available in Spanish. The Student Guide http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/index.htm The Student Guide tells you about various financial aid programs and how to apply for them. It is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Read this first to get a good overview of the various financial aid possibilities. Students.gov http://www.students.gov/ This site offers links to many useful resources. The section on financial aid provides information on scholarships and grants, student loans, state financial aid, military resources, fellowships, and other data. What Every Student Should Know About Federal Aid http://www.acenet.edu/bookstore/pubInfo.cfm?pubID=334 This downloadable publication provides a good summary and a starting point for understanding the major federal student aid packages, the tax benefits, and eligibility requirements for accessing the $81 billion in federal funds that are available for education.

Loans Federal Perkins Loans and Stafford Loans http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/index.htm Click on Types of Federal Student Aid and then click either Perkins Loans or Stafford Loans on the left side of the screen. You will go to a page that answers common questions about these two major forms of self-help aid. Nellie Mae http://www.nelliemae.com/ You can apply for a student loan on this site.

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PLUS Loans http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/index.htm Click on Types of Federal Student Aid and then click PLUS Loans on the left side of the screen. The screen that appears provides answers to common questions about PLUS Loans. PLUS Loans enable parents with good credit histories to borrow to pay the education expenses of each child who is a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time. PLUS Loans are available through both the Direct Loan and FFEL programs. Most of the benefits to parent borrowers are identical in the two programs. Sallie Mae http://www.salliemae.com/ The site helps you to obtain student loans and other financial aid.

Apprenticeships Apprenticeships: Career Training, Credentials—and a Paycheck in Your Pocket http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/employ/apprentice/apprentice.htm This document explains how apprenticeship opportunities can help you get an edge on your training, give you job experience, and earn you some money to boot.

Scholarships A Guide to Scholarships http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/articles/040819/19sb_scholarships.htm This article provided by USNews.com gives you a decent overview of the types of scholarships and financial aid that are available to you. They include federal, corporate, athletic, and military grants and scholarships. This information is a good starting point before your launch into various other scholarship sites. From this site you can also access several interactive tools to help you compare aid packages, calculate loan repayments, search for scholarships, and find student loans.

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HOPE Scholarship http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html Taxpayers who are financially responsible for students in the first two years of college (or other eligible postsecondary training) are eligible for a HOPE Scholarship tax credit equal to up to $1,500 of tuition and fees for the first two years of college. Click on Hope Credit at the Web site to go to the section of the IRS document that explains how this tax credit works. Scholarships.com http://www.scholarships.com/ This free site helps you search a college scholarship database. Users may create a personalized profile that is matched to scholarships, grants, fellowships, and internships. This site also includes resources on federal loan programs for students (Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loan program [FFEL], and Federal Perkins Loans) and information on PLUS and Consolidation Loans for parents. Truman Scholarship Foundation http://www.truman.gov/ The Truman Scholarship Foundation provides financial support for graduate study to college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education, or elsewhere in the public service.

Work-Study Federal Work-Study http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/index.htm Click on Types of Federal Student Aid and then click Federal WorkStudy on the left side of the screen to find out about the Federal WorkStudy Program. The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to your course of study. The Federal Work-Study salary will be at least the current federal minimum wage, but it may be higher, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on when you apply, your level of need, and the funding level of your school.

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Student Career Experience Program http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI14.asp The Student Career Experience Program helps to fulfill government talent needs with diverse and talented students who have skills critical to the future workforce needs of the federal government. The arrangements for such jobs are developed under the Federal Student Educational Employment Program. That program provides for work-study partnerships between the students, the educational institutions, and various federal agencies.

Government Opportunities for Students Americorps/NCCC http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/nccc.asp Volunteers accepted for Americorps/National Civilian Community Corps can earn an education award that can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education or training or to repay qualified student loans. The award currently is $4,725 for a year of full-time service, with lesser awards for part-time service. While serving, AmeriCorps members are also eligible to defer payments on student loans. AmeriCorps will pay all or a portion of the interest that accrues on a qualified student loan during the term of service. This amount is in addition to the AmeriCorps Education Award. You can use the award for up to seven years after you have completed the service. Over one billion dollars has already been provided to volunteers. Employment Opportunities for Students with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) http://www.hhs.gov/jobs/students.html This HHS site provides information on internships, student employment, job opportunities, and volunteering. If you are interested in a career in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site is for you. Entry Point! http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/ This site provides information on special programs in science and engineering for students with disabilities.

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Fellowships at the Smithsonian Institution http://www.si.edu/ofg/fell.htm The Smithsonian Institution offers fellowships to graduate students wanting to conduct independent research at the Institution. It also offers numerous internships. Smithsonian fellowships and internships are awarded on the basis of the Smithsonian Institution’s policies of equal opportunity and cultural diversity. Fulbright Program http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/ Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program provides grants for graduate students, scholars, professionals, teachers, and administrators from the United States and other countries. The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to increase international understanding through education exchange programs between the Untied States and other countries. Each year, the Fulbright Program provides 4,500 participants, who are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential, with the opportunity to study and teach in one another’s countries. Funding Overseas Studies – David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships http://www.worldstudy.gov/ This site provides information on fellowships and scholarships for studying overseas offered by the federal government. The funding is fairly generous, but it requires you to make a return on the investment by working either in the federal government or in higher education. The Boren service opportunity can help you find employment after you complete your degree. The duration of the service requirement is roughly equivalent to the length of your study as a Boren Scholar/Fellow. Internships and Fellowships with the U.S. Department of State http://careers.state.gov Student employment programs at the Department of State enable students to get experience in a foreign affairs environment, either in Washington, D.C., or at an embassy overseas. NASA Education http://education.nasa.gov/divisions/higher/overview/index.html This site provides information about internships and scholarships offered to undergraduate and graduate students in the science, math, technology, © JIST Works

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and engineering fields through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Click on Programs and View All to read descriptions of the available opportunities. National Science Foundation Opportunities http://www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp?org=EHR This site provides information on several opportunities for financial support in the science and engineering areas. Most of the grant money is awarded to teachers and schools rather than directly to individual students. Special Employment Programs with the U.S. Department of Defense http://hrd.whs.mil/page.cfm?info=20 The Human Resources Directorate (HRD) in Washington, D.C., which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, offers this page of links to information on internships, fellowships, student employment, and veterans’ programs. Student Employment with the Central Intelligence Agency http://www.cia.gov/employment/student.html The Central Intelligence Agency has internships and co-op programs for undergraduate or graduate students. Student Programs with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://www.training.nih.gov/student/ The NIH offers scholarships, internships, fellowships, research opportunities, graduate programs, and other student programs for students from high school to the graduate level. Studentjobs.gov http://www.studentjobs.gov/ Learn about co-ops, internships, summer jobs, the Outstanding Scholars Program, volunteer opportunities, and plenty of part-time and full-time jobs from this Web site, which was created by the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Education’s Student Financial Assistance office. United States Secret Service Cooperative Education Employment http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/opportunities_co-op.shtml If you are interested in a career in law enforcement, take a look at the opportunities listed at this Secret Service site. The Cooperative Education program provides job training, benefits, and a salary. © JIST Works

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USDA Internships and Scholarships http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome From the USDA home page, click Education and Outreach and then click Internships and Scholarships. This page lists many opportunities for scholarships and internships for high school students, undergraduate students, and graduate students.

Educational Benefits from the Military Air Force Services Club Scholarships http://www-p.afsv.af.mil/Clubs/Scholarship.htm For writing an essay of no more than 500 words on the topic of “My Hero and Why,” members of the Air Force Club and their families can be one of six persons to share in $25,000 worth of scholarships. Army ROTC Scholarships http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.jsp This site will show you the financial aid opportunities within the U.S. Army. Support is available for high school students, enlisted personnel, and college students. Earn Money for College with the U.S. Navy http://www.navy.com/education/earnmoneyforcollege Continue your education with money for college from the U.S. Navy. Read about all the options available to you, including the Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program, which can pay future officers a salary while they’re in college. Money for School from the U.S. Air Force Reserve http://www.afreserve.com/money.asp Air Force reservists interested in a college or trade school education may qualify for financial assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill. Find out on this site whether you qualify. Scholarships for Military Children http://www.militaryscholar.org/ Sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel may qualify for the Scholarships for Military Children Program from the Defense Commissary Agency. The scholarships are about $1,500 each.

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U.S. Marine Corps http://marines.com/ The official U.S. Marine Corps site organizes information and resources for you based on your age and educational level from high school to college graduate. Make a selection from the I Am A… list and discover what is available to help you meet your career goals.

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CHAPTER

Find and Land a Job “Find a job you like and you add five days to every week.” —H. Jackson Brown, Jr. So far in this book, you have ✶ Assessed your skills and interests. ✶ Researched occupations that match those skills and interests. ✶ Found education and training needed for those occupations. ✶ Tracked down sources of funding for that education and training. After all that effort and preparation, you are now ready to tackle the world of work. You have worked hard to learn the skills necessary for landing the job you want. Now it’s time to get serious and go after that job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that that are nearly 3.5 million job openings in this country. This chapter will provide you some useful tools that can aid you in your search for the opening that is right for you. More specifically, this chapter will help you ✶ Check whether your job expectations are realistic. ✶ Build a good resume. ✶ Post your resume so that employers can access it. ✶ Learn about hundreds of thousands of available jobs. ✶ Apply for a job online. ✶ Research information about employers.

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✶ Automatically manage your job search and job contacts. ✶ Find a federal government job. ✶ Get advice from executives on starting your own business. ✶ Research salaries.

See Whether Your Job Aspirations Are Realistic Most of us have a desire to work in a particular occupation at a preferred location for a specified salary. The Employability Checkup is a tool provided by America’s Career InfoNet that helps you to see whether your desires match the actual job market. The tool could be called the Reality Checkup. The tool is also useful as a starting point as you negotiate a salary or determine whether the salary offer you are given is a fair one.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org to display the home page for

America’s Career InfoNet. Scroll down to the Career Tools box.

2. Click on Employability Checkup. Enter the state where you want to

work, your current educational level, and desired salary.

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3. Click Next. Indicate the area of the state where you wish to work.

The example shows that the Greensboro area is selected.

4. Click Next. Enter your job title in the box provided. In the example,

social worker is entered as the job title.

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5. Click Next. Select your occupation from the list that appears. The

example shows that the Child, Family, and School Social Workers occupation is selected.

6. Click Next. Select the industry where you would like to work. In the

example, State government has been chosen.

7. Click Next to receive your employability profile.

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8. Review your results. You will receive a lot of information about the

job outlook in the area and occupation you selected. A sampling of the results is provided in the example. Note that in this instance, the person’s educational attainment was not sufficient and the salary requirement was too high. Thus, this person had some unrealistic expectations.

Improve Your Resume-Writing Skills Resumes are generally the first thing employers see as they consider job applicants. The Resume Tutorial is a tool offered by America’s Career InfoNet that will teach you about preparing your resume so that your credentials and capabilities are given a second look. If you have never prepared a resume, this site will teach you the basics. If you are a seasoned job hunter and resume builder, you will gain some good tips to improve your resume.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/resume/resume_intro.asp.

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2. Read the information on this page. In particular, take heed of the sug-

gestion that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Then click Next.

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3. From the Table of Contents, click the link for the section of the

resume tutorial that you would like to investigate. For example, click Essential Features to find out about the basic pieces of information you need to include on your resume.

4. Read the page to get an overview of the topic. Click the links that

interest you to get more detailed information, or go to a different main topic page by selecting that topic from the Browse the Resume Tutorial drop-down list. Through the Resume Tutorial, you can learn about the various components of a resume. You also can learn how to design your resume, how to deliver it, and how to follow up with a potential employer. The Resume Tutorial is an excellent resource to learn the various best practices for making a good impression on an employer, which will hopefully lead to an interview.

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Take an Online Workshop on Resume Writing Purdue University provides a tool that is an excellent source of information about constructing a resume that will present your skills in a way that is interesting to employers. Several examples show how to transform your job functions and experiences into action-oriented statements that are tailored to a specific employer and carry more weight with him or her.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops and click on

Hypertext Workshops. 2. Below the Employment Workshops heading, click Resume Workshop

to go to the starting point of the workshop, as seen in the following figure.

3. Click on the section of the resume you have an interest in learning

about. For example, the Experience section covers what items go in the experience section, why you should include your experience on your resume, where this section should go on your resume, how to tailor the resume to fit your audience, and how to describe your experience effectively. © JIST Works

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Register to Use the America’s Job Bank Tools America’s Job Bank has plenty of helpful tools to assist you in finding employers, learning about wages and outlook, creating a resume, and managing your job contacts. It is recommended that you register for the site and create an account so that you can easily access all the tools. The registration process is easy and the information is confidential.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careeronestop.org/. 2. Click on Post Your Resume. This action will bring up a screen where

you are asked to register for America’s Job Bank if you haven’t already.

3. Click on I Want to Register. The code of conduct and privacy policy

appears. Read it and click I Accept to get to the registration form. Then enter the requested information. You can also register with the following steps.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org/ and click on My Account near the top

of the page to go to the Login page where you can log in with your name and password or create your account.

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2. Click the link in the sentence that starts “If you are searching for a

job…”. The code of conduct and privacy policy appears onscreen. Read it and click I Accept to get to the registration form. Then enter the requested information.

Find a Job Through America’s Job Bank America’s Job Bank has several tools that you can use in your job search. This chapter includes several of the most relevant tools. As indicated in the preceding section, you need to register before you can use many of the supplementary tools. If you are just looking for a job, however, you need not register. Employers post job openings on America’s Job Bank, so you can browse to see what is available. As of this writing, almost 2 million job openings are posted. For this reason, America’s Job Bank should be a first stop for anyone who is looking for a job.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org/.

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2. Click on Job Search for quick access to jobs you are interested in. 3. Select the occupational category for the kind of job you want from the

list. You can also enter keywords in the text box to specify a job title. In the example, Food & Lodging is selected. 4. Enter the location. For example, Chicago is entered as the location in

the following figure.

5. Click on the Search Now button to obtain the results. (Note that a

City Search Clarification screen may appear if there is more than one city with the name you entered. Just select the city you want and click the Use Selected City button if that happens.) 6. Review the job openings available for your criteria. In this example,

almost 800 jobs were posted matching the criteria specified. They are sorted by the date they were posted. You can sort by relevancy by clicking on Sort Now. Note that you can also click on a column heading to sort items in that column.

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7. Click on a job opening that interests you to find out more about the

job, as shown in the following example.

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Note that you can find out more about the job and the job outlook by clicking a link in the More Information section near the bottom of the page. If you want to apply for the job, click Apply Now and read the instructions on how to apply for this job. Some employers have the capability of receiving applications online; others may want you send a hard copy of application material. If you are not ready to apply for a particular job just yet but want to consider it in the future, you can save the job for future consideration if you are registered with America’s Job Bank by clicking on the Add to My Jobs button. To print out a copy of the job on your printer, click the Printer Friendly Version button and then send the document to the printer.

Post Your Resume on America’s Job Bank If you want employers to be able to see your resume and hopefully contact you to apply for one of their jobs, then use the Resume Builder tool provided in America’s Job Bank. The tool may not seem very user-friendly at times, but if you are patient and provide the information that is requested, you will be able to create a nice resume in several different formats. You can post your resume in the job bank, send it to a potential employer, or print out a copy. The Resume Builder takes you through several screens into which you will enter several pieces of information. As you complete a screen, make sure you review what you entered for typos and other errors because editing the resume after completion is a bit cumbersome. One caution: There have been some recent alerts that unscrupulous individuals may gain personal information about you from resumes you post on the Internet. America’s Job Bank screens employers before allowing them access to the site, but you may want to leave your phone number or address off your resume; an e-mail address is sufficient contact information. The warning applies to any resume you post online with an agency or company. Do be careful with the information you provide. Don’t post your social security information, date of birth, or any information that can be used in an inappropriate way by others. (America’s Job Bank does ask for this kind of information when you are registering in order to track how the site is being used and stores it in a separate place, but you do not have to provide this information to use the service.)

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Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org/ and scroll down to the bottom of the

page.

2. Click on Post a Resume. 3. You are first asked for your username and password to access the

Resume Builder. 4. In Resume Builder, enter your personal contact information if it does

not display automatically. Select the Make Confidential box if you want to prevent employers from seeing your phone number or address. If you select this option, you must enter an e-mail address as contact information. 5. Click on Proceed to Next Step. Complete the information requested

and follow the steps as specified. You will need to select an occupation and list a job objective. In addition, you will indicate your salary requirements and information about the geographic area in which you want to work.

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6. Click on Proceed to Next Step. You will be asked to provide your

educational background. Enter your relevant information. You can add information on several degrees by using the Add Degree button. Also, you can provide information on any certificates or licenses you have obtained in the space provided. The example shows a completed form for a person in nursing.

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7. Click on Proceed to Next Step. The next screen asks you to add your

job skills. You can create your own list of skills or you can click on the job title (Medical Assistants in the following example) to view a popup window that lists representative skills for that occupation. Add any awards that you have received and any other pertinent information in the honors/activities section.

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8. Click on Proceed to Next Step. Enter information on your job history.

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9. Click on Proceed to Next Step. Select a format for your resume and

then save it. You have several design options to choose from. 10. Click Proceed to Next Step to see what the resume will look like.

The following figure is a portion of a final resume.

11. When you are satisfied, click the Save Resume button.

If you want employers on America’s Job Bank to review your resume, you must activate it. To do this, go back to http://www.ajb.org/. Click on My Resumes to display the resume you have just created and any others you may have on file. Select the resume you want to use and click the Activate button. To edit the resume, select the resume by clicking on its © JIST Works

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radio button and then click on the title of the resume. You can also keep the resume you created with Resume Builder on file for future use. America’s Job Bank allows you to prepare and save up to five resumes.

Create a Cover Letter for Your Resume Whenever you send your resume to an employer, you should include a cover letter to indicate your interest in the position and explain why your skills are right for the job. This tool allows you to create a cover letter and use it to apply for a job. It can be sent electronically along with your resume.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org/ and log in with your name and pass-

word. 2. Click on Cover Letters. From here you can access previous cover

letters or create a new cover letter.

3. Click on Create a Cover Letter to access the Web tool that allows

you to create the letter. Fill in a name for the cover letter, the position you want, and the text for the letter. Keep in mind that a cover letter should indicate why you are writing it, what job or type of job you are applying for, why you should be considered for the job, and what the next steps are.

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4. Click the Preview button to look over the letter you wrote. If you are

satisfied, click the Save button to save the letter. Use it to apply for a specific job.

Have the Job Scout Automatically Find Jobs for You New jobs are added to America’s Job Bank on a daily basis. Instead of accessing America’s Job Bank every day or week, let the Job Scout do the work for you. You specify criteria, and then the Job Scout looks out for jobs that match those criteria. When it finds one, it e-mails a notice to you. It’s a great time saver and super tool for your job search.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.jobsearch.org/seeker/jobscouts. You will be

asked for your name and password. 2. Click on New Job Scout. Name the Job Scout, and then select the

occupational category, the geographic location, and the frequency that you want the Job Scout to do its job, such as daily or monthly. From this site you can also edit or modify any Job Scouts you have already created. © JIST Works

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Manage Your Job Contacts As you search for a job, you want to keep a list of all the people you speak with during the process. This list should include any persons with whom you interviewed, any human resource representatives that assisted you, the secretary who made you comfortable and put you at ease before you started the interview, and so on. The list you create will be useful for documenting the persons you spoke with, for deciding who should receive a thank-you letter, and for referring to as you continue your job search. The people you meet during your job search will begin to form a network of contacts whom you may call upon for future jobs or job advice. America’s Job Bank provides the Contact Manager tool to help you create and manage a list of job contacts.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org/ and log in with your name and password. 2. Click Contact Manager and then click on Create a New Contact to

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Enter the relevant information as shown in the example, such as contact’s name, company name, phone number, address, e-mail address, and so on. You can also add notes to remind you about the conversation you had.

3. Save the information.

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As you meet people in your job search, add their information into your contact list. Do this immediately after your interaction with a contact so that the information and your interaction is fresh in your mind. The Contact Manager also lets you modify the contacts you have already created. Just select the contact from your list and make your revisions.

Find Employers in a Specific Geographic Area The Employer Locator has been developed to help you find out what companies in a specific geographic area may be hiring people in your occupation. Using this tool, you can access information on nearly 12 million U.S. employers.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/employerlocator. You can

search by industry, by specific occupation, by specific location, or by keyword. The following figure shows a search in the Utilities industry.

2. Select the particular occupation within the industry and the geographic

area that you have an interest in, clicking the Next button after each selection. The Web tool shows you a list of employers that match the selections you made, as shown in the following figure.

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3. Click on the name of the employer you are interested in to find the

address, phone number, and even a map of directions to the location.

Find a Federal Government Job The USAJOBS Web site lets you sort federal job openings by occupation, location, occupational group, keyword, grade level, salary, and government agency. You can use this site to search by a single characteristic or all of them together. The federal government is modifying its pay and promotion system, so you can expect to see some changes in the Web tool over the next several years.

Step by Step 1. Go to www.usajobs.opm.gov to access a tool that allows you to

search for more than 18,000 federal jobs.

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2. Click on the Search Jobs button to display a page in which you enter

information relevant to your job search. Enter your information. The example shows a search for a job anywhere in the country in the area of Information, Arts and Public Affairs. The specific salary level or government grade level has not been specified so that the search is broader.

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3. Click the Search for Jobs button. Review the jobs that are retrieved

for you. The listing for each job includes the agency, the location, and salary information. Click on the job title to see the complete listing.

You can narrow your search to a geographic area by selecting a state or even a county within a state or by specifying a salary range or pay grade level.

Network with Potential Employers at a Career Fair Networking is a very useful way to get to know the people in your field. The network you develop over time will pay off professionally, oftentimes with one or more job offers. One way to network is by attending a career fair. Career fairs also put you in touch with employers that are hiring. Use this free Web tool to help you find and monitor career fairs in your state and in your field.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careerfairs.com/ to access the home page of

Career Fairs.

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2. Select the month you want to attend a career fair, the category of the

fair (nursing, sales, high-tech, and so on), and then the state. Many career fairs involve many job areas, so it is a good idea to select All Categories from the category list.

3. Click on Search to display a list of career fairs based on your criteria.

In the example, the search brought up two career fairs in Maryland.

Get Advice from Retired Executives and Managers If you are starting your own business or want to make your current small business more successful, this tool can help you be smarter and more efficient about the actions you take. How? By giving you access to advice and

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mentoring from a cadre of more than 1,200 volunteer counselors who have operated a business and/or worked for major U.S. companies. The volunteers are from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). The counseling is confidential, available 24/7, and fast—you get a response in 48 hours or less. One happy user indicated, “The help I received from SCORE is worth more than an MBA to me because it’s valuable, real-world stuff.”

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.score.org.

2. In the Find a Match line, click by Expertise to search by type of topic

in order to find a counselor that can provide you some assistance. You can select from more than 600 specialties.

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3. Choose up to 10 areas by clicking the boxes next to the areas that are

relevant to your question. For example, management services has been selected from the list in the figure.

4. Click Submit at the bottom of the list of topics to receive a list of

counselors that might be helpful in answering your question. The following figure displays a partial list of the hundreds of counselors available to help answer questions and make suggestions.

5. Review the biographical information for a counselor by clicking on

the Bio button next to the counselor’s name. (Note that biographical information is not available for all counselors.) Picking a counselor with skills and experiences most relevant to your business idea is

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probably going to be most helpful to you. You may also want to consider selecting a counselor who is in your geographic area, as he or she may know the local marketplace. 6. To contact the counselor that seems most pertinent to your needs,

click the counselor’s name. A form will appear onscreen.

7. Complete the information and provide details on the nature of your

situation and the question you need answered or the issue you need help with. Be sure to be clear, detailed, and specific about your question or area of need. 8. Click Submit. Your answer should come within 48 hours.

If you don’t want to contact a business counselor in this way, you can also use the site to find the nearest SCORE office.

Taking the Shot The United States is filled with opportunity. In the worst of times, our unemployment rate is low in comparison to other countries. Jobs are being added to the economy every day. Millions of jobs are available to people with the right knowledge, skills, and abilities. Previous chapters of this book have shown you how to find the skills needed for various occupations, education and training opportunities, and financial support for your needed education and training. This chapter showed you how to find jobs

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that match your requirements and has given you tools with which to apply for jobs and manage your job search. Author Maya Angelou was right when she said, “Nothing will work unless you do.” The necessary tools have been put on the Web for you, but you must use them in order to land the job that you want. Professional hockey player Wayne Gretzky phrased that idea in another way by stating, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” Use the tools; take the shot.

Want to Know More? The Internet provides access to hundreds of resources for the job hunting process. The resources listed in this section are the best of those reviewed for you. In addition to providing general job hunting information and opportunities within the federal government, the listed resources supplement the Web tools in this chapter by offering information on such topics as interviewing, preparing resumes, dressing and grooming for interviews and for job success, letter writing, networking, finding salary information, and starting your own business.

General Job Search Information 25 Tips http://www.resumemaker.com/advice/advice.jsp As the title suggests, this document delivers 25 tips each for writing resumes, developing a cover letter, job searching, career planning, and negotiating salary. Creative Job Search http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/cjsbook/index.htm With extensive input from employment professionals and job seekers throughout the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has developed the Creative Job Search resource. This high-quality resource covers every part of the job search process. You can also order a paper copy of the material from this site.

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Finding Companies That Are Hiring http://www.ecommandos.com/nw/playcollege.php?fname=Finding_Companies.wmv Download and watch this video to learn about companies that are actively hiring. Internet Job Search Strategies http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/internet.pdf This document from the Creative Job Search gives some practical guidance on using the Internet to find a job. Internet Job Search Strategies Video http://www.ecommandos.com/nw/playcollege.php?fname=Using_Internet.wmv Download this video to hear some job search advice. JIST Tips http://www.jist.com/free_resources.shtm The publisher of this book, JIST Publishing, offers lots of free information on career-related topics on its Web site. The JIST Tips page has links to articles on networking, resumes, job search, interviewing, and career success. New articles are added every week. Job Resources by Occupation http://www.acinet.org Find the Career Tools box on the Career InfoNet Web site and then click Career Resource Library. Under the Job and Resume Banks heading, click Job Resources by Occupation to access resource materials for the occupation that interests you. Browse through the categories to connect to online resources listing job opportunities for a specific occupation, industry, or professional group. Job Search in the Age of the Internet http://www.doleta.gov/Seniors/other_docs/jobSearch.pdf This guide from the Department of Labor gives you some ideas on how you can best use the Internet in your job search. Mike Farr’s Online Get a Job Workshop http://www.jist.com/jobbtns.shtm Mike Farr is the author of more than 20 books on careers. He shares some of his best tips on job search, resumes, cover letters, interviews, and salary negotiation in this online workshop. © JIST Works

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Research Employers http://www.acinet.org Find the Career Tools box on the Career InfoNet Web site and then click Career Resource Library. Under the Job Search Aids heading, click Research Employers. Use these resources to research a potential employer and industry before an interview. Users can also use these sources to find potential employers and initiate contact. From this site you can find directors of businesses, business rankings, research guides, international business information, international guides, nonprofit directories, and stock market and financial reports. The Riley Guide http://www.rileyguide.com Online career information consultant Margaret F. Dikel has created this directory of all sorts of advice about searching for and getting a job. Some people are overwhelmed by the amount of information they find here. Tips for Finding the Right Job http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov From the Federal Citizen Information Center home page, click Employment. Find the document title in the alphabetical list and then click the CD/book icon next to it to view the document. Though a bit dated, the “Tips for Finding the Right Job” document still provides a good overview of the various considerations that are important in a job hunt.

Resources for Special Groups EARN Works http://www.earnworks.com/ The Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) helps employers find qualified workers with disabilities. It offers advice to potential employees on job searching and resume writing. Employment Support for People with Disabilities http://www.ssa.gov/work/ This Web site, which is run by the Social Security Administration, provides information and advice about work and programs for persons with disabilities.

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Federal Employment of Persons with Disabilities http://www.opm.gov/disability/ Managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), this site contains information for potential applicants and current federal employees that describes how to get a federal job, how positions are filled, and how reasonable accommodations are made. It also includes resources that can help you with a wide range of issues that pertain to the federal employment of adults with disabilities. Job Access http://www.jobaccess.org/jobs.htm This site, operated by CareerBuilder.com, is geared to assist persons with disabilities in all aspects of a job search, including finding jobs, building a resume, and identifying education programs. Job Accommodation Network’s Searchable Online Accomodation Resource http://www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/ This site has a searchable database that describes accommodations for various disabilities, including cancer, hearing impairments, arthritis, heart conditions, chronic fatigue syndrome, and learning disabilities. Jobs for the Future http://www.jff.org/jff/ Jobs for the Future works to help society create successful transitions for youth and build economic opportunity for adults. This site provides hundreds of documents that are devoted to that mission. Military Spouse Job Search http://www.militaryspousejobsearch.org Military Spouse JobSearch is designed to connect employers with a talented, global, diverse workforce and to enhance the employment opportunities for spouses of U.S. military members by connecting them with employers committed to hiring military spouses. This site is associated with America’s Job Bank. National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange at Mobility International USA http://www.miusa.org/ncde This site is a resource for people with disabilities or those who work with them who are interested in international exchange programs. These include study, work, volunteer, research, or teaching abroad programs. © JIST Works

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National H.I.R.E. Network http://hirenetwork.org/ The site offers information on increasing job opportunities for people with criminal records. Go to the Publications section to find some helpful information. Resources for Diverse Groups http://www.acinet.org Find the Career Tools box on the Career InfoNet Web site and then click Career Resource Library. Under the Job Search Aids heading, click Resources for Diverse Groups. The links provided connect users to resources for specific groups, including workers with disabilities, women, minorities, ex-offenders, migrant and seasonal farm workers, military, older workers, veterans, workers with limited English proficiency, and youth. Saludos.com http://www.saludos.com/ Using this site will help you find a career at one of several companies looking for diversity in the workplace. If you are bilingual, Hispanic, and skilled in a specific profession, the job search database at this site should be of great assistance.

Federal Jobs Environmental Careers Organization http://www.eco.org/ Find job and internship opportunities that help you help the environment. Federal Jobs by Major http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei23.asp This site provides a listing of majors along with the kinds of government careers that are typically associated with those majors. Federal Jobs Digest http://www.jobsfed.com/ Here’s another site that lets you search for federal jobs. How Federal Jobs Are Filled http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI55.asp This document gives you an overview of and an insight into the federal hiring process. © JIST Works

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How to Get a Job in the Federal Government http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov From the Federal Citizen Information Center home page, click Employment. Find the document title in the alphabetical list and then click the CD/book icon next to it to view the document. This document will help you sort through the various aspects of the federal employment system and how to best apply for a job within the system. Outstanding Scholars Program http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI22.asp College graduates can apply for an entry-level federal job through the Outstanding Scholar Program. To be eligible, an applicant must have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate course work or have graduated in the upper 10 percent of their graduating class or major university subdivision. Only some job titles are eligible for this program. For example, this program does not cover positions in accounting, engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, and mathematics. Search for a Federal Government Job http://www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch.html Use this site, which is run by the Department of Commerce, to search for federal jobs and obtain other federal jobs information and advice. This site is not as detailed and complex as the OPM site, so it does not give you as much detailed information. Student Employment Within the United States Geological Survey http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/student/ The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a variety of jobs for students in biology, hydrology, computer science, cartography, geology, administration, and many other fields. Ten Tips for Letting Federal Employers Know Your Worth http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI64.asp Federal agencies base their decisions on merit, so follow these 10 tips carefully when describing your experience and skills.

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Where the Jobs Are http://www.usajobs.opm.gov Click on the Where the Jobs Are link on the USAJOBS home page to access this document. It provides a fairly comprehensive overview of the trends and projections for hiring in the federal government. Work with Us: EPA Careers http://www.epa.gov/careers This site gives current information about the jobs available at the Environmental Protection Agency. Check this site for internship opportunities as well.

Job Search Organizations and Companies International Jobs http://www.acinet.org Find the Career Tools box on the Career InfoNet Web site and then click Career Resource Library. Under the Job and Resume Banks heading, click International Jobs. This site is organized by country and provides links to foreign job search organizations. Job Banks, Meta-Guides, and Job Clearinghouses http://www.acinet.org Find the Career Tools box on the Career InfoNet Web site and then click Career Resource Library. Under the Job and Resume Banks heading, click on Job Banks, Meta-Guides, and Job Clearinghouses. This site is a portal to the various job banks you can use to assist in your job search.

Dressing and Grooming Tips Dress and Grooming for Job Success http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/dress.pdf Though most of us would prefer to be hired solely on the strengths of our skills and contributions, how we look makes an impression on our employer. This short document from the Creative Job Search provides some important advice on how to look your best. Dress for Interview Success http://www.ecommandos.com/nw/playcollege.php?fname=Dress_Success.wmv Download this video to hear some good tips for looking good during your interview. © JIST Works

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Networking Career Journal.com http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/networking/ This site is sponsored by the The Wall Street Journal and has several articles on how networking is important in the search for a job. Guide to Networking http://www.doi.gov/octc/network2.html This helpful guide from the U.S. Department of the Interior explains why networking is important and provides exercises to help you learn how to do it. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/ You can find people to network with by using this Web site. Networking Your Way to a New Job http://www.quintcareers.com/networking_guide.html This article gives some very fine tips on how to maximize your job search capabilities through networking.

Creating a Resume Build the Resume Employers Want http://www.jobweb.com/Resources/Library The JobWeb site is geared to new college graduates, but it offers good advice to others as well. From JobWeb’s Career Library page, click Resumes and then click Build the Resume Employers Want on the next page to access this article full of advice about how to present your education, activities, and work experience on a resume. Electronic Resume Tips http://www.kellyservices.us From the Kelly Services home page, click Careers and then click Landing the Job. Finally, click the Electronic Resume Tips link under the Prepare Resume heading. If you are asked to submit your resume electronically, this page has some good tips to make your resume more visible and accessible.

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Electronic Resumes http://www.oakton.edu/resource/stuserv/netjobs/resumes/index.html Oakton Community College provides this resource to help you design an electronic resume that employers will noticed. It discusses both technical and security issues. How to Take Care of Weaknesses in Your Resume http://resume.monster.com/dilemmas This piece reprints helpful advice from The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book by Michael Farr, which is published by JIST Publishing, Inc. Privacy Tips for Online Job Seekers http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs25-JobSeekerPriv.htm The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse provides this fact sheet about how you can protect your privacy when you search for jobs and post your resume online. Resume Do’s and Don’ts http://www.kellyservices.us From the Kelly Services home page, click Careers and then click Landing the Job. Finally, click the Resume Do’s and Don’ts link under the Prepare Resume heading to access a page that provides some good and concise advice on preparing your resume. Resumes, Applications, and Cover Letters http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov From the Federal Citizen Information Center home page, click Employment. Find the document title in the alphabetical list and then click the CD/book icon next to it to view this document. It gives some good tips on how to put your best foot forward as you present your skills to an employer. Skills Identification http://www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/skill.pdf This document from the Creative Job Search shows you how to think about presenting your qualifications as skills, not just job titles or responsibilities.

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Interviewing Employment Interviewing http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/Summer/art02.pdf This document by Olivia Crosby gives some good general advice on interviewing and the necessary follow-up. Interview Checklist http://www.kellyservices.us From the Kelly Services home page, click Careers and then click Landing the Job. Finally, click the Interview Checklist link under the Prepare for Interview heading. Review this checklist before you go off to a job interview to be sure you are well prepared. Interviewers’ Favorite Questions … and Answers http://www.jobweb.com/Resources/Library/Interviews Click on the title of this document to read about the top 10 interview questions and how to handle them with aplomb. Second Interview Preparation Guide http://www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/second_inter.html You’ve made it through the first or screening interview, and now it’s time for you and the potential employer to talk again, but this time more specifically. This guide, provided by Florida State University’s Career Center, outlines the issues involved to help you prepare for the second interview.

Letter Writing Build a Cover Letter http://www.myfuture.com/toolbox/coverletter_all.html This site gives a lot of good tips for developing a cover letter that stands out. Cover Letter Tool http://www.kellyservices.us From the Kelly Services home page, click Careers and then click Landing the Job. Finally, click the Cover Letter Tool link under the Write Cover Letter heading. Using a letter format, this site gives you some good suggestions on how to write a cover letter for your resume.

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The First and Best Cover Letters http://www.careerlab.com/letters This comprehensive site has cover letter advice for a number of different situations, including announcing job changes, answering want ads, getting good references, building good business relationships, promoting yourself in the media, leaving gracefully, negotiating a significant pay raise, and countering a written job offer. It also offers a selection of sample cover letters that you can view for free. You can avoid purchasing any of the advertised services. Thank You Letter Tool http://www.kellyservices.us From the Kelly Services home page, click Careers and then click Landing the Job. Finally, click the Thank You Letter Tool link under the Write Thank You Letter heading. Use these ideas to follow up with a potential employer after an interview.

Salary and Benefits Evaluating a Job Offer http://www.bls.gov/oco/oco20046.htm There are many issues to consider when assessing a job offer. Will the organization be a good place to work? Will the job be interesting? Are there opportunities for advancement? Is the salary fair? Does the employer offer good benefits? This U.S. Department of Labor site has the information to help you make a decision. Salary Expert http://www.salaryexpert.com The site is a bit confusing, but if you want to know the general salary expectations of various occupations in various countries, it should provide you with the information you need. What Jobs Pay Well? http://teen.educationpays.org/factsheets/edpaysfact1.pdf This reference sheet shows you what jobs pay well in what occupational areas and with what educational levels. The fact sheet will give you a good idea of what the best jobs might be if you intend to stop with a high school diploma or go on to complete further education.

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Starting and Managing a Small Business ADA Guide for Small Businesses http://www.sba.gov/ada/smbusgd.pdf This guide presents an informal overview of some basic ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements for small businesses that provide goods or services to the public. It omits much of the legal jargon that is found in the ADA and its regulations. Bplans.com http://www.bplans.com This site tries to sell you business planning software, but it also provides some free interactive tools that you might find useful. These tools help you calculate things such as cash flow, starting costs, and conversion rate. You can also download several sample business plans to review as the basis for creating your own. IRS Online Classroom http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00.html This site offers a few online courses to help you understand the tax implications and requirements of having your own business. Launching Your Business http://www.business.gov/phases/launching/ With information on making decisions, managing employees, getting insurance, and handling legal concerns, this site has loads of information to assist you in making your business successful and keeping it on track. SCORE Reading Room http://www.score.org/readingroom.html If you are starting a small business or wanting to make your business more successful, the Reading Room at SCORE has many practical and well-written publications in the areas of business planning, disaster assistance, e-business, finance and capital, human resources, leadership, legal issues, marketing and public relations, office and time management, sales and customer service, and training. The short documents are written by executives and managers who have work experience in that area. Following their advice should give you a huge jump on your business venture.

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Find and Land a Job

Small Business Administration Library http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/library/pubs.html This site has dozens of books, pamphlets, and workbooks you can use to make your business successful. The site is particularly helpful in indicating what assistance the federal government can provide to help get you started in business and move your business forward. Small Business Startup Guide http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/startup/guide.html Aspiring entrepreneurs can use this comprehensive, easy-to-use guide from the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a roadmap for starting a business. It includes numerous electronic links for additional information. Where it is relevant, the guide links you to online courses offered by the SBA and mentioned in Chapter 3. Starting a Business http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99336,00.html The Internal Revenue Service has some good advice about starting your own business, and it has the forms you need to complete whether you are self-employed or not.

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CHAPTER

Change Your Job or Career “The path to our destination is not always a straight one.We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” —Barbara Hall The U.S. Department of Labor indicates that, on average, we will change careers at least six times throughout our lifetime. Some reasons for career changes are voluntary; others are not. Here are just a few: ✶ Your job is phased out because it is no longer needed. ✶ Technology has replaced your job functions. ✶ Your job has been outsourced to another country. ✶ The company you were working for went bankrupt. ✶ You want a new challenge. ✶ You want to make more money and be provided better benefits. ✶ You want a change to add some excitement to your life. ✶ You are transitioning out of the military. ✶ You are retiring. ✶ You want to do a job you love, and it’s not the one you have. ✶ You want to use your skills and abilities more. ✶ You want to move to another geographic location. ✶ You have moved to another geographic location.

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✶ You want to work for another company. ✶ You want more flexibility in your schedule. ✶ You want to do some volunteer work instead of working at a paid job. ✶ You have been raising a family and want to return to work. ✶ You have been released from prison. ✶ You have a disability. ✶ You have quit your job. Whatever the reason for the change, the tools in this book will help you move from your current career situation to another level. Career changers need to look at the Web tools in all the previous chapters. Many, if not all, of the Web tools will help you as you make a career change. For example, you may want to find an employer in a new geographic region with the Employer Locator (Chapter 5), match occupations to your most dominant interest area (Chapter 1), locate training programs that will help qualify you in a new job area (Chapter 3), or identify occupations that utilize your knowledge and skills (Chapter 2). Check the previous chapters for tools that are useful to you at this point in your career. The tools in this chapter are particularly pertinent to career and job changers because they relate to the variety of reasons you may be changing your job and career status. In this chapter, you will augment your career and job search skills by ✶ Learning what support services are available to you if you lose a job. ✶ Finding occupations related to your current one. ✶ Identifying the skills you need to qualify for another occupation. ✶ Knowing what help is available when you transition out of the military, change a career, or leave a federal job for the private sector. ✶ Learning about available work options for older workers. ✶ Using tools that can help make a transition to another geographic location. ✶ Making some decisions about retirement.

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Change Your Job or Career

Find Government Services for Changes in Job Status The federal government provides a variety of information and services if you have a change of job status due to a life event. A life event could be becoming a parent, experiencing a natural disaster, retiring, or being laid off from your job. This Web tool provides examples of the type of assistance you can obtain. In addition to the instructions shown here, you can answer a fairly lengthy questionnaire to obtain more targeted information.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits to reach the

Government Benefits Web site. Select your relevant life event from the drop-down list. In the following figure, Losing a Job is selected. Other examples include becoming sick or disabled, affected by a natural disaster, death of a loved one, retirement, and becoming a parent.

2. Click the Go button to view a list of programs.

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3. Click on the title of a program to see a basic description of the pro-

gram and information to help you determine whether you are eligible. From here, you can contact the proper office to secure assistance.

Find Occupations Similar to Yours O*NET OnLine provides a tool that helps you to find occupations that use some of the same or similar skills as your current occupation. If you are looking for a different job, knowing occupations related to the one that you are in now or that you have just left could help expand your job search. Knowing occupations related to yours can also help you find better jobs or higher wages requiring minimal additional education or retraining.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://online.onetcenter.org to display the O*NET OnLine

home page.

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2. Click on Find Occupations. Enter the name of your current occupa-

tion. The example uses paralegal as the occupation.

3. Click Go to display a short listing of occupations with similar titles.

Click on the one that is closest to your occupation to display a lengthy report on the occupation. 4. Scroll down to the bottom of the report to the Related Occupations

section to see a list of occupations that are similar to yours. In the example, nine related occupations are listed for paralegal.

You can click on any occupational title in the Related Occupations list to review the characteristics and requirements of that occupation. From there, you can determine whether you can easily change occupations or need some additional education and training to be fully qualified and ready. © JIST Works

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Match a Major to Job Listings If you are considering making a career change or returning to college, you may want to know how college majors match to actual job listings. The Major to Career Converter provided by Monster.com helps you make that connection.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://6steps.monster.com/step1/careerconverter/ and

select a major that is of interest to you from the drop-down list. Marketing is selected in the example.

2. Click on Results to display a list of occupations that are compatible

with the selected major. Click the job titles that interest you. 3. Select the geographic area and the job categories that interest you.

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4. Click Search Jobs. From there you will receive a listing of relevant

jobs related to the information you provided.

Determine the Skills You Need to Qualify for a Different Occupation You can use the Skills Gap Analyzer on America’s Career InfoNet to determine what you need to do to qualify for another occupation. The directions to follow are designed for people who have worked in one or more occupations. Be forewarned that it takes a little time to enter the information, but once you do that, you can save the information and compare your skills to any occupation in the system. The Web tool will tell you where your skills match an occupation and where you may need some additional skill building.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/skills_about.asp to reach the

Skills Profiler. Click on Continue to go to the Skills Identifier.

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2. Click Select Your Occupation. Enter the name of your occupation in

the text box. Dental hygienist is entered as the occupation in the example. If you don’t know the exact name of your occupation, you can enter a keyword in the text box.

3. Click Search. If the occupational title you entered does not exactly

match what is in the system, the program will give you a list of possible options. Click on the one that is closest to your occupation. 4. Click Continue. The screen shows a listing of skills. The skills that are

important for the occupation have a checkbox in the leftmost column. If a skill is not important to that occupation, it has a checkbox in the Other Skill column. Read through each of the skills listed and mark the skills that you believe you have. The example shows that Active Learning, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension are checked. You don’t need to be an expert to choose a particular skill. Try to be realistic about skills you could use in a job.

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5. Click Continue to see a list of the skills you checked. You are now

going to identify the level of your skill. Rate each of your skills on the 1–7 scale provided. Certain points on the scale are defined to help you make a decision. Do this for each skill listed.

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6. Click Continue. The next image you see is a listing of detailed work

activities. These activities are particular to the occupation you chose earlier. Select those that you feel you can do reasonably well. The activities that you select will be added to your list of capabilities. The following figure shows eight selected activities, including administer anesthetics, administer injections, analyze dental data, and so on.

7. Click Continue. You will receive a Final Report of your skills. An

example is shown in the following figure.

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8. Note the options at the top of the Final Report, as shown in the fol-

lowing figure. You have put a lot of thought and time into this task, so you may want to save this report by clicking Save. After you have saved it, click View Your Skills Profile to return to the Final Report page.

9. The ultimate reason you have performed the steps listed is to compare

your capabilities to another occupation, so click Skills Gap Analyzer. The Skills Gap Analyzer allows you to compare your skills to any other occupation in the system. Enter the occupation or keyword in the text box. The example is using dietetic technician to compare with the skills selected for dental hygienist.

10. Click Search and then click on your occupation’s name in the list that

appears. 11. You will be asked to select a state. Do so and click Continue. At last

you have the results of all your effort!

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Use the information generated by the Skills Gap Analyzer to help you determine how easy or difficult it might be to change from one occupation to another. First, look at the Did Not Select column, which is at the far right. These are the skills on the original list that you indicated that you do not have. If you really don’t have these skills and they are important to this new occupation, you probably need to seek out some significant education and/or training programs to obtain the skills. The contents of Chapter 3, “Improve Your Job Skills,” might be useful. The middle column, titled May Need Training, lists those areas where you said you had the skill, but the level is not as high as what is required by the new occupation. For these areas, you may want to spend time brushing up on those skills with books or with a tutor. The column furthest left lists those areas where your skills matched or exceeded those of the new occupation in the level of the skill requirement. You can compare your skills to any number of occupations in the system.

Use the Job Scout to Find a New Career Chapter 5 of this book gives you directions for activating the America’s Job Bank Job Scout by job family and occupation, but you can also use the Job Scout in your transition to other careers.

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The Job Scout is a tool you can use to monitor the jobs that are posted in America’s Job Bank. You enter specific job criteria and the Job Scout will monitor the jobs in the bank that match those criteria according to the schedule you specify—every day, every two days, every three days, every week, every two weeks, every month, and so on. Before you can use this Web tool, you need to be registered in America’s Job Bank. Chapter 5 gives specific directions on how to do this task in the section titled “Register to Use America’s Job Bank Tools.”

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.ajb.org. Enter your user name and password. This

action brings you to the screen where you can access the Job Scout.

2. Click on Job Scouts to go to the page that lists the Job Scouts you

have created. 3. Click the New Job Scout button to display a page where you can cre-

ate Job Scout requests. 4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see the words Job Title,

Military, and Keyword. For persons transitioning from one career or job to another, click on Job Title or Keyword. For military transitioning to a civilian job, click on Military to search using your military occupational specialty or other criteria. Doing so takes you to a page where you enter your criteria for the job search. The directions that follow pertain to a military transition, but they are similar for anyone using the Job Scout for career transition. 5. Name your job scout by entering text in the Scout Name box. In the

example, the name is Military Transition 1. Then enter your military occupational specialty code and other pertinent job search criteria such as the location where you want to work.

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6. If you don’t recall your military occupational specialty code, click on

Find Code. Enter a keyword and click the Search Now button to display a list of options. In the example, the word navigator was used to find code 7372, aerial navigator. Click on Use Selected Code to complete the details of your Job Scout.

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7. Select the frequency that you want the Job Scout to do its job from the

Run Scout drop-down list box and click the Save button to activate the Job Scout. The Job Scout will send you a notice when it finds jobs matching your criteria.

Transition from the Military to a High-Growth, HighDemand Occupation As described in Chapter 2, Career Voyages concentrates on providing access to information in the high-growth, high-demand industries and occupations. Several military occupations use skills and knowledge that are compatible with and directly relate to these industries and occupations. Military members can parley their skills into the civilian world of work for many of these in-demand occupations.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.careervoyages.gov/

careerchangers-military.cfm to display a page where you can enter your military occupational specialty code.

2. If you do not know your code, click on scrolling search screen to

access a list of several hundred military occupational specialties. The following image shows a small sampling of the hundreds of military occupational specialties from which you can select.

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3. Enter your code in the box or click on the occupation from the list

to receive a matching civilian occupation. The example uses the occupation Basic X-Ray Technician.

4. Click on Description to see the required knowledge, skills, and abili-

ties for that in-demand occupation.

Find Jobs for Older Workers Many older individuals are still interested in working, although they may have retired from previous positions. The National Older Worker Career Center provides professional, technical, and administrative work opportunities to older workers through two major programs: the Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) Program and the National Corps of Experienced Professionals (NCEP). The pay is not substantial, but eligible people receive health care coverage and other benefits. © JIST Works

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If you are 55 or older, the SEE Program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides positions for persons with skills and experience ranging from clerical to scientific and assists the EPA in pollution prevention and control projects. If you are over 40, the NCEP Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, is open to you. The program is focused on environmental conservation and natural resource maintenance.

Step by Step 1. To locate a position, go to http://www.nowcc.org/ and click on

Apply for a Position. 2. Click open positions, select a state, and browse the job listings. 3. If you find a job that interests you, click the link for instructions on

how to apply for the job.

Transition from a Federal Government Job to a Private Sector Job Many people leave federal government occupations to take on careers and jobs in the private sector. The federal government retirement system is set up in such a way as to allow people to move between the public and private sectors without a penalty to their retirement program. Other individuals take on jobs in the private sector after retiring from a full career in federal service. The USAJOBS site, run by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, offers a Web tool to match federal jobs to private sector jobs to help individuals better understand their options.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://career.usajobs.opm.gov/. Click Match Federal Jobs

to Private Sector Jobs to display a listing of federal government occupations. 2. Select the federal government occupation that you are in or are inter-

ested in. In the following example, Safety Engineer has been selected.

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3. Click Submit to get a list of similar occupational titles in the private

sector.

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You can use this information to look up private sector occupations and their requirements at http://online.onetcenter.org or to search for a job at http://www.ajb.org.

Determine the Pay for Your Occupation in Another Geographic Area When you are planning to move to a new location, it is helpful to know the wages for your occupation in that new location. America’s Career InfoNet has a tool that will help you obtain that information.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org and click on Occupation

Information and then on Occupation Profile. Select the job category (or “job family” as the tool refers to it) of your occupation. The example uses Legal as the job category.

2. Click on Search to display the next screen. Then select your occupa-

tion within the job category. The example uses Lawyers.

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3. Click Continue to display the next screen. Select the state that you are

moving to or that you are considering moving to. The example shows that Alaska has been selected.

4. Click Search. The tool asks you to select what information you want

to have. For this task, select State and National Wages. Note that you can access a variety of important information from this screen on the occupation you have selected.

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5. Click View Results. Note that the salary information for this occupa-

tion compares the salary levels in Alaska to the national average. The chart shows the hourly and yearly wage for the lowest-paid 10 percent, the bottom 25 percent, the middle or medium wage, the top 25 percent, and the highest-paid 10 percent.

Compare Average Wages for an Occupation in Multiple Cities You may be a person who is thinking about working in one of several different locations across the country. Among your considerations will likely be your salary. This Web tool expands upon the tool just described. © JIST Works

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Instead of getting the information by state, you can get it by city or town. This tool is part of America’s Career InfoNet, but it is difficult to find from the main site. The Web address is fairly long, but the tool is well worth accessing.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.acinet.org/acinet/

select_occupation.asp?next=compare_get_msa to display a listing of occupational categories. Select the category you want to explore. Business and Financial Operations is the category used in the example.

2. Click Search. The next screen you see is the listing of occupations in

the category you selected. Select the occupation you are investigating. The example shows that Tax Preparers has been selected.

3. Click on Continue to go to the next screen. Select the cities or towns

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selected. You can select up to 10 towns by holding down the Control key and clicking on your selections. In the example, four towns have been selected: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Baltimore, Maryland; Bangor, Maine; and Birmingham, Alabama.

4. Click on Compare. Review the results.

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The tool provides the range of wages for persons in the selected occupation for the lowest 10 percent, the lowest 25 percent, the median or middle wage, the top 25 percent, and the top 10 percent. Start by looking at the median or middle wage. This is the typical or average wage for the city shown. In the example, note that the median yearly wage for a tax preparer in Birmingham, Alabama, is $13,400, yet the typical wage for the United States as a whole is twice as much. Bangor, Baltimore, and Ann Arbor have wages that are higher than the U.S. average. If you are an entry-level employee, it might be useful to look at the lower end of the wage scale. Conversely, if you are an experienced tax preparer, you might want to look at the higher end of the wage scale. The basic point is to see that the wages for an occupation differ, sometimes dramatically, for different geographic locations.

Determine Your Equivalent Salary in a Different Location Knowing how your current salary compares to a salary in another geographic location matters if you want to improve or maintain your standard of living. The Salary Calculator gives you an idea of whether you are moving to a lower or higher cost-of-living area. The cost-of-living differences will make a difference in the salaries you are being offered and the salary you should negotiate with a prospective employer. Please note that this tool gives you only a general idea of the cost-of-living differences, but it does so for various cities within a state. The general http://www.homefair.com site will also help you determine the timelines for your move and an estimate of your moving expenses and other issues related to relocation. The example here focuses on salary.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html. 2. Select the state you are moving from and the state you are moving to

and then click Show Cities. 3. Enter the salary you make in the Salary box. Then select the city you

live in and the city you are moving to.

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4. Click Calculate. Review the information to determine how much

salary you need to equal what you were receiving in your current or previous location. In the example of moving from Monterey, California, to Washington, D.C., a person could earn significantly less money and still earn the equivalent of the California salary level.

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Find a School, College, or Library Anywhere in the United States If you are moving to or considering a move to a new geographic area and the schools and other educational opportunities are important factors for you and your family, you may want to do a search that helps you identify the schools, colleges, and libraries located in a particular town. Sponsored by the National Center of Educational Statistics, this Web tool will help you locate public libraries; colleges and universities; and elementary, middle, and senior high schools in the area. Knowing this information may help you determine what town you want to move to or whether you should make the move at all.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://nces.ed.gov/globallocator/. 2. Enter the information pertinent to your situation. The example shows

a search for public schools, colleges, and public libraries in Johnson City, Tennessee. You can also search by ZIP code, distance, and specific name of the school.

3. Click Search. The following figure shows the results found for col-

leges and public libraries. Clicking on the name of the institution will show contact information.

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Decide Whether You Are Financially Ready to Retire The traditional retirement age is 65. Some people want to retire early, and others want to keep working as long as they can. Regardless of your situation, you want to be sure that you are financially ready to transition from work to retirement. A retirement calculator can be a useful tool to help you make that decision. Many retirement calculators are available on the Internet, but this one from the American Association of Retired Persons is very helpful.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.aarp.org/money/careers/. Click on

Retirement Calculator in the Related Links section. It may be a bit difficult to find. 2. Enter the information that reflects your situation and your preferences.

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3. Click Next when you have provided the information. Continue to

enter your information and expectations.

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4. Click Next when you have completed the information to see the

results.

The results you receive from using this tool should help you determine whether you can retire early, you need to save more, or you need to work longer. Because this tool is interactive, you can change various assumptions and entries and then recalculate. Note that if you don’t understand some of the entries, you can click on Help with this to get more information.

Search for Volunteer Opportunities People who are employed or retired often want to continue to use their skills and abilities in a volunteer environment. This tool from the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network will help you find volunteer opportunities that match your areas of interest.

Step by Step 1. Go to http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/ and find the Find a

Volunteer Opportunity in Your Community section. 2. Select an interest from the drop-down list. In the example, Animals

and Environment has been selected, but there are several other categories to consider. Then enter a ZIP code or select a state.

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3. Click Find Opportunities Now to see a list of opportunities. The

image shows a few of the 295 volunteer opportunities for the state of Ohio.

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the normal stress level. Astronaut Sally Ride verified the emotions involved in experiencing change when she said, “All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.” Occupational and career change can be purposeful, such as when you look to change geographic location, receive a promotion, or retire. Some changes are unwanted, such as layoffs, firings, or company closings. Regardless of the situation, there are resources that can help you get back on your feet and take up the challenge of a new situation. This chapter, plus the previous chapters in this book, gives you some practical tools to help you not only survive job changes, but also thrive as a result of them. You must be purposeful about using the tools to help you transition from one situation to another. Take heed of the sage words of Will Rogers: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

Want to Know More? The resources in this section provide information on the variety of situations that involve voluntary or involuntary job or career changes.

Losing Your Job Coping with Job Loss http://www.jobsearching.org/coping.cfm This site has much advice and support for individuals who have undergone the drama of a job loss. Out of Work? How to Deal with Creditors http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/outwkalrt.htm This short piece gives some useful information for helping make ends meet. Rapid Response Services for Laid Off Workers http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/workers.cfm Check out this U.S. Department of Labor Web site if your company is laying off employees. States have numerous services such as career counseling, job search services, and information on interviewing skills and resume preparation to help you cope with this situation and develop job opportunities.

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When You Lose Your Job http://www.iseek.org/sv/41126.jsp If you have lost your job, you can find some helpful hints and useful resources at this site.

Making a Transition Back to College http://www.back2college.com This site is geared toward the adult who is considering changing his or her career and going back to school for education and training. Best Places to Live http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive If you are considering relocating because of a job change, retirement, or other issues, it’s wise to do some research first. Each year Money magazine uses several criteria to determine the best places to live in the United States. You can search for your own best places by identifying factors that are important to you. Career Assessment http://www.acinet.org From the Career Tools section on the America’s Career InfoNet home page, click Reading Room. In the Ready Reference section of the Reading Room, click Career Assessment. Many of the articles listed on this page can help you learn more about the various issues concerning changing jobs and careers. Dealing with Transition http://www.iseek.org/sv/41019.jsp This Web page gives some practical advice for dealing with the stress associated with changing your career or making other life changes. Getting Back to Work: Returning to the Labor Force After an Absence http://stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/winter/art03.pdf This document summarizes some of the issues involved in getting back into the workforce after some time away. It applies not only to those who have lost jobs, but also to those that have been out of the workforce for a variety of reasons. Many good resources are suggested.

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Mapping Your Future http://mapping-your-future.org/adult/ This site has information that will help you think through your options as you consider returning to college in order to make a career change. Position Comparison Guide http://www.kellyservices.us/web/us/services/en/pages/position_comparison_guide.html Use this brief assessment to help you consider several professional and personal factors when comparing your present job to one you are considering. Seminar Information Service http://www.seminarinformation.com/ If you are looking to upgrade your skills, taking a seminar might be a good option for you. U.S. Department of the Interior Online Career Transition Course Map http://www.doi.gov/octc/mapof.html This site provides a tool for mapping out your career transition. It includes a personality instrument, interest inventories, information on occupations, interview tips, relocation advice, and retirement information.

Resigning from Your Job The Proper Way to Resign http://www.radinassociates.com/resignation-proper.htm The site provides some practical advice on how to resign from a job to take another job. Writing a Letter of Resignation http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/letters/l/aa030998.htm This site gives some brief, but important, advice on what to put in your letter of resignation.

Older Workers and Other Special Groups AARP Featured Employers http://www.aarp.org/money/careers/findingajob/ The American Association of Retired Persons Web site has a listing of companies that tend to favor older workers. The site also provides good advice on job hunting if you are an older worker. © JIST Works

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Choose to Save http://www.choosetosave.org/ballpark/ This award-winning site has a worksheet to help you determine what you have to do to be financially ready for a comfortable retirement. Job Accommodation Network – Portal for Individuals http://www.jan.wvu.edu/portals/individuals.htm This Web portal provides significant amounts of relevant information for persons with disabilities who are looking for employment. Pertinent information on accommodations for various types of disabilities is provided. Some of the resources are in Spanish. Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness http://pathprogram.samhsa.gov/about/overview.asp Visit this site to learn about a special government program that is designed to deal with the needs of people who are homeless and have serious mental illnesses. Public Service and Volunteerism http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicService.shtml This Web portal gives you ideas and access to dozens of volunteer activities and related organizations. Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) http://www.doleta.gov/seniors/ The purpose of the Senior Community Service Employment Program is to provide job training and placement for people with limited financial resources who are age 55 or older and to provide employers with trained, motivated workers. The Web site explains the specifics of the program and also provides access to some useful resources.

Military Transition Assistance Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) Transition Services http://www.acap.army.mil This is the premier transition assistance program for military members transitioning to civilian life. You can get assistance in making decisions about your career and getting a job. That includes help in crafting a resume, filling out job applications, and developing a career plan. ACAP Centers are located on most U.S. Army bases. © JIST Works

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Corporate Gray Online http://www.greentogray.com/ This site gives persons who are transitioning out of the military the opportunity to post their resumes and to search a database of thousands of jobs. Announcements of job fairs are also posted. In addition, there is a section on opportunities for those with security clearances. e-VETS Resource Advisor http://www.dol.gov/elaws/evets.htm This site lists general services that may be of interest to veterans preparing for the job market. You will be asked to choose which of these services you want to learn more about. Based on your selections, the Resource Advisor will produce a list of Web sites of specific interest to you. Major categories include job search skills, job listings, benefits, and financial assistance. Helmets to Hardhats http://www.helmetstohardhats.org/home.jsp This site helps veterans find jobs in the construction industry. Hire Vets First http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/ This site for both job seekers and human resource personnel provides information about the policies and possibilities of hiring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Job Fairs http://www.acap.army.mil/transitioner/job_fairs/index.cfm This site provides a listing of upcoming job fairs focusing on the military transitioner. Military Compensation Calculator http://staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/PCC/?B3=Launch+Calculator The Pay and Compensation Calculator (PCC) is a career decision aid that shows the value of direct and indirect pay, illustrating the benefits of a Navy career compared to civilian compensation. The PCC uses your input to give you a monthly and annual breakdown of your earnings in addition to calculating the tax advantage you receive as a military member. The information from this site can help a transitioning military member know how his or her military compensation relates to a potential civilian job. © JIST Works

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Military Retirement Calculator http://staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/RetCalc/Default.aspx The StayNAVY Retirement Calculator enables a potential retiree to forecast military retirement income based on specific career information and economic factors, such as the inflation rate. Retirement pay can be calculated for both active-duty members and reservists who are retiring under any of the three retirement systems (Final Pay, High-3, REDUX). Military Spouse http://www.milspouse.org/ This site offers excellent resources for military spouses and personnel in transition. You can access base- and state-specific information, as well as general career and career transition advice and assistance. Also available from the site is information to help with financial management, child care, elder care, health and wellness, and education. National Veterans’ Training Institute http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/NVTIFS09.htm This fact sheet explains the functions of the institute that trains personnel to work with veterans to help them upgrade their employability skills. Operation Transition http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot/ Use this site to view the Transition Bulletin Board (TBB). The TBB is an automated system that contains want ads and other useful information for separating/retiring military and federal civilian personnel and their spouses. On average, the TBB has more than 10,000 want ads representing more than 30,000 jobs daily. Real Lifelines http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/Real-life/Allpages.pdf REALifelines is a new approach to providing needed services to injured military members and their families so that they can re-establish the lives they left in order to serve the country. The process gives quick and efficient job and career assistance to wounded soldiers.

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SITES https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/sites/index.jsp This site was built to assist military spouses. You may find local job, school, community, and other resources to help with your relocation and re-employment decisions. This site is accessible only to active-duty personnel or their spouses. Spouses to Teachers http://www.spousestoteachers.com/pages/16/index.htm This pilot program of the U.S. Department of Defense assists spouses of active-duty personnel, spouses of members of Selected Reserve and National Guard, and spouses of members of Individual Ready Reserve recalled to active duty to become members of the teaching profession. Transferable Skills Identifier http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/tsi/search_main.asp You can search military and civilian occupations by keyword or code at this site. Transition Assistance Online http://www.taonline.com/ This job search site is for military personnel looking for civilian careers and for employers to find qualified people who have served in the military. Transition Assistance Program (TAP) http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/tap_fs.htm TAP presents comprehensive three-day workshops to train military personnel in job search skills in order to help them transition to civilian life. This fact sheet provides additional information about the program. Troops to Teachers Program http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/troopstoteachers/Overview.htm Troops-to-Teachers provides referral assistance and placement services to military personnel interested in beginning a second career in public education as a teacher. The DANTES Troops-to-Teachers office will help applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification, and employment opportunities.

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U.S. Department of Defense TransPortal http://www.dodtransportal.dod.mil/dav/lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal/ The DoD Transition Assistance Program was designed by the Department of Defense to smooth the transition of military personnel, civilian employees, and family members from government service. The site provides links to job search sites, career transition assistance locations, and general advice on how to prepare for new careers. The site is perhaps the most comprehensive and helpful site for members of the armed forces who are leaving to take on a new stage in their lives. Vet Jobs http://www.vetjobs.com/ The Employment Assistance portion of this Web site provides good information for anyone transitioning into a new career, not just those in the military. It covers such topics as post-military career planning, resume development, goal setting, job interviews, interview questions for entrylevel and senior positions, and behavioral interviews.

Business and Entrepreneurship Getting Out of Business http://www.business.gov/phases/getting_out/ If you are thinking about planning your exit from a business or selling your business, this site has some good tips. SCORE Reading Room http://www.score.org/readingroom.html If you have left employment to start your own business, the Service Corps of Retired Executives Web site gives you access to more than 100 helpful documents to ease you into this new venture and to make it successful. Categories include such areas as human resource management, legal issues, office management, marketing and public relations, leadership, finance and capital, e-business, and business planning. Virtual Business Owners Training Program http://www.vsscyberoffice.com/vbo/ This site can be used by Department of Defense military, spouses, and civilians interested in competing in the global marketplace either as a selfemployed virtual business owner or as a telecommuting employee. It provides resources to train, mentor, and prepare military spouses and transitioning soldiers. © JIST Works

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APPENDIX

Books for Job Seekers W

hen you want to take a break from surfing the Web and curl up with a good career book, check out the following titles. They are listed by chapter topic. All of these books are available at most bookstores and libraries or from JIST Publishing at www.jist.com or 1-800-648-JIST.

Chapter 1: Identify Your Skills and Interests Like the Computerized Interest Profiler tool in Chapter 1, 50 Best Jobs for Your Personality by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., uses the Holland personality types to help you find the careers that suit your personality and interests. It includes an easy-to-use assessment to help you identify your personality type and provides lists of job titles ranked by salary, growth, and number of job openings. It also includes detailed job descriptions for each personality type. The New Guide for Occupational Exploration, published by JIST, uses a system of organizing jobs based on interests that was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. JIST has updated this system to reflect the U.S. Department of Education’s career clusters that closely link careers and learning. The system was originally based on substantial research into how people can use their interests to explore career and learning options. By grouping jobs together, the system helps people easily find related options. The New GOE provides lots of additional information on the interest areas and work groups. For example, the information on each work group includes the types of jobs in that group, the training or education needed, related school subjects, related leisure activities and hobbies, and a list of job titles within each work group. Descriptions for the more than 900 jobs within the various work groups are also included, allowing you to identify very specific careers quickly.


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Chapter 2: Find the Right Occupation Learning the facts about available careers is an important step in making good career decisions. The following books are good supplements to the Web tools shown in Chapter 2: ✶ Chapter 2 explained how to use O*NET OnLine to search for jobs by skills, knowledge, and ability. If you want to refer to this information without having to search online, a book titled the O*NET Dictionary of Occupational Titles (published by JIST) offers the only complete printed source of the O*NET descriptions. Descriptions include details on related skills, earnings, abilities, education, projected growth, and more. ✶ As you learned in Chapter 2, you can search America’s Career InfoNet to find information about the fastest-growing jobs. America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs by Michael Farr includes similar information plus proven job search techniques in an easy-to-read format. ✶ After exploring the Office of Personnel Management’s Web site, you may want to check out Guide to America’s Federal Jobs by Bruce Maxwell and the Editors at JIST. This book takes you through the federal jobfinding process. ✶ If browsing the Military Careers Web site has raised your interest in the armed forces, take a look at America’s Top Military Careers by the U.S. Department of Defense. This book includes descriptions of 140 occupations in all branches of the military. ✶ If you find the Department of Labor’s online Career Guide to Industries to be a helpful reference, you may be interested in JIST’s enhanced version of this material titled 40 Best Fields for Your Career. ✶ You can search through the ultimate career reference book, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), at the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site, but you may find the book version (published by JIST) easier to use. The OOH includes more than 270 job descriptions with information on the skills required, pay rates, projections for growth, education and training required, working conditions, advancement opportunities, related jobs, and job-specific sources of additional information, including Web sites. The OOH is available in most schools, libraries, career counseling centers, and bookstores.

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✶ JIST also publishes the Enhanced Occupational Outlook Handbook, a good all-in-one reference that includes the job descriptions from the OOH, plus descriptions of related jobs from the Department of Labor’s O*NET database (about 1,100 jobs) and from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles (more than 6,000 descriptions). This resource is ideal for in-depth career research because it includes nearly 8,000 job descriptions—more than in any other book.

Chapter 3: Improve Your Job Skills If you are still trying to figure out what additional training you need to get the career you want, read the Quick Guide to College Majors and Careers. This guide by Laurence Shatkin describes courses of study, related careers, and more in a quick two-page format. An assessment precedes the information to help you determine the best education or training path for you. If you have decided to go to college, make sure you take a look at the resources in the “Preparing for College” section of Chapter 3. Then take a look at the College Success Guide: Top 12 Secrets for Student Success by Karine Blackett and Patricia Weiss. This book gives tips on everything from time management to test-taking skills. Monster.com’s Major to Career Converter connects college majors to job listings. But the best-selling College Majors Handbook with Real Career Paths and Payoffs by Neeta Fogg, Paul Harrington, and Thomas Harrington explores this topic on a much bigger scale. Based on an enormous study of 150,000 college graduates, this practical guide on the actual jobs and earnings of college graduates in 60 majors provides the most accurate facts available on long-term outcomes associated with particular majors.

Chapter 4: Fund Your Education and Training If the idea of earning a paycheck while learning a trade appeals to you, take a look at 250 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships by Michael Farr and Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D. Find out which careers offer apprenticeships and read the descriptions of those jobs. You can then use the tool at the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training Web site to search for the sponsors in your area that offer the apprenticeship that interests you.

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Chapter 5: Find and Land a Job In addition to the Web tools in Chapter 5, the following books can help you in your job search. ✶ Amazing Resumes by Jim Bright, Ph.D., and Joanne Earl, Ph.D., is based on the psychology of selection and impression management. The book shows you the basics of how to present credentials and experience in the most effective way and includes resume samples with insider evaluations, worksheets, lists of competencies to emphasize, tips on reading job postings and ads, and much more. ✶ Michael Farr’s The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book brings a practical, functional approach to the job search. Its effective job search correspondence tools, sample resumes and cover letters, and seven steps to getting the job will help you write and use a resume in only one day. ✶ Gallery of Best Resumes, Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a FourYear Degree, and Gallery of Best Cover Letters, all by David F. Noble, Ph.D., showcase hundreds of sample resumes and cover letters indexed by occupational field. Each sample includes instructive comments about the strategies behind it, and each book contains a section of writing tips to help you craft your own job search correspondence. ✶ Check out the Magic series for outstanding ideas and guidance in your job search. Resume Magic, Interview Magic, and Job Search Magic by Susan Britton Whitcomb and Cover Letter Magic by Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark offer groundbreaking job search advice, interview preparation, samples, and before-and-after resume transformations. ✶ The guides in JIST’s Help in a Hurry series help you find a good job quickly. Written by best-selling career author Michael Farr, the titles in this series include Same-Day Resume, 15-Minute Cover Letter, Next-Day Job Interview, and Seven-Step Job Search.

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Chapter 6: Change Your Job or Career If you are making a job change or career transition, you may find the following books to be useful: ✶ Best Jobs for the 21st Century and the other books in the Best Jobs series can help you explore and compare jobs through useful lists and job descriptions. The lists let you discover other jobs at your current level of education or training that may be a better fit for you. ✶ The Expert Resumes series of books provides many examples of resumes geared to specific situations to help you craft an effective resume. Several titles in the series are geared to people making career changes: Expert Resumes for Military-to-Civilian Career Transitions, Expert Resumes for Career Changers, and Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work. All of these titles are written by resume experts Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark. ✶ Gail Geary offers insights for older job seekers in the Over-40 Job Search Guide.

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Index A ability requirements for occupations, 32–34 accreditations, 70–71 Adams, Abigail, 59 advice, 147–150 Air Force Reserve scholarships, 118 Air Force Services Club scholarships, 118 Amazing Resumes, 206 America’s Career InfoNet, 104, 122–125, 171–176, 183–186 America’s Job Bank, 129–141 Contact Manager, 141–143 cover letters, 139–140 Job Scout, 140–141, 176–179 posting resumes, 133–139 registering, 129–130 searching, 130–133 America’s Literacy Directory, 64 America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs, 204 America’s Service Locator, 65–66 America’s Top Military Careers, 204 American Association of Retired Persons, 191, 197 Americans with Disabilities Act, 162 Americorps/National Civilian Community Corps, 115 Angelou, Maya, 151 apprenticeships, 97–99, 113 Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), 50 Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP), 198

Army ROTC scholarships, 118 Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS), 89 assessment information, online, 20

B Best Jobs for the 21st Century, 207 Blackett, Karine, 205 Bplans.com, 162 Bright, Jim, 206 Brown, H. Jackson, Jr., 19, 121 Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training (BAT), 97 Bureau of Labor Statistics, 83, 204 business courses for job skills, 77–78

C Capella University, 89 Career Assessment Web tool, 196 career changes, 165–202 American Association of Retired Persons, 191 Career Voyages, 179–180 geographic changes, 183–185 Government Benefits Web site, 167–168 government services, 167–168 Job Scout, 176–179 Major to CareerConverter, 170–171 majors, matching to job listings, 170–171 military transitions, 179–180 Monster.com, 170

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National Center of Educational Statistics, 190 National Older Worker Career Center, 180–181 O*NET OnLine, 168–169 older workers, 180–181 private sector transitions, 181–183 retirement, 191–193 Salary Calculator, 188–189 schools, finding, 190–191 similar occupations, 168–169 skills, 171–176 Skills Gap Analyzer, 171–176 USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, 193–194 USAJOBS, 181–183 volunteering, 193–194 wage comparisons, 185–189 career fairs, 146–147 Career Guide to Industries, 56, 204 Career InfoNet Web site, 152–153, 157 Career Interest Guide, 7–9 career myths Web site, 58 career planning Web tools, 58 Career Voyages Web site, 46–49, 179–180 CareerBuilder.com, 154 CareerJournal.com, 158 CareerLab.com, 161 CareerOINK (Career Occupational INformation Kingdom), 56 Center for Employment Training (CET), 85 Central Intelligence Agency, 117 certificates, 73–75 Certification Finder, 41–42 certification requirements for occupations, 41–42 Choose to Save Web tool, 198 college and university directory, 85 College Finder, 72–73 College Is Possible, 86–87

College Majors Handbook with Real Career Paths and Payoffs, 205 College MatchMaker, 86 college planning calendar, 87 College Success Guide, 205 CollegeBoard.com, 111 colleges, 72–73 Community College Finder, 66–67 community colleges, 66–67 companies hiring, finding, 152 Computerized Interest Profiler, 2–4 Concurrent Admissions Program for Army Enlistees, 90 consolidation loans, 114 Contact Manager, 141–143 contacts, 141–143 Corporate Gray Online, 199 Council on Higher Education Accreditation, 87 courses, 73–75 business, 77–78 free, 75–76 Cover Letter Magic, 206 cover letters, 139–140, 160–161 Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 110 Creative Job Search, 151–152, 159 creditors after job loss, dealing with, 195 Crosby, Olivia, 160

D DANTES Examinations Programs, 90 David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, 116 degrees, 73–75 Department of Agriculture (USDA) internships, 118 Department of Commerce, 156 Department of Defense (DoD), 202, 204 © JIST Works

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Index

Department of Education, 86, 94, 203 Department of Health and Human Services, 115 Department of Housing and Urban Development, 96 Department of Interior, 158, 197 Department of Labor, 95, 152, 161, 165, 195, 203–205 Department of State, 116 Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 205 Dikel, Margaret F., 153 Distance Education and Training Council, 88 Distance Education: A Consumer’s Guide, 88 distance learning course finder, 88 distance learning graduate school guidebooks, 87 distance learning program search, 88 distance learning self assessment, 88 Distributed Training Technology Project (DTTP), 90 DoD Transition Assistance Program, 202 dreams, 19 dressing and grooming, 157 Drucker, Peter F., 21

E e-Scholar, 106–107 e-VETS Resource Advisor, 199 Earl, Joanne, 206 eArmyU.com, 90 EARN Works, 153 Edison, Thomas Alva, 109 education, acquiring, 59–91 accreditations, 70–71 business courses, 77–78 certificates, 73–75 colleges, 72–73 community colleges, 66–67 © JIST Works

degrees, 73–75 education and training institutions, 68–70 free courses, 75–76 GED certificate, 59, 61–63 IT training programs, 78–80 local services, 65–66 literacy skills, 64–65 vocational schools, 63–64 wages versus education level, 80–81 Web tools, 82–91 benefits, 82–83 college preparation, 86–87 distance learning, 87–88 GED, 83 military opportunities, 89–91 online universities, 89 training programs, 85–86 work experience, 84 education, funding, 93–119 apprenticeships, 97–99 federal government, 106–107 financial aid, 102–104 Financial Aid Advisor, 104–106 goals, setting, 109–110 Job Corps, 95–96 military scholarships, 108–109 Montgomery GI Bill, 107 scholarships, 94, 99–101 United Negro College Fund, 101–102 Web tools, 110–119 apprenticeships, 113 general information, 110–112 government opportunities, 115–119 loans, 112–113 scholarships, 113–114 work-study, 114–115 YouthBuild USA, 96 education and training institutions, 68–70 Employability Checkup, 122–125

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Employer Locator, 143–144 Enelow, Wendy, 206–207 Enhanced Occupational Outlook Handbook, 205 Entry Point!, 115 Environmental Careers Organization, 155 Environmental Protection Agency, 157 Expert Resumes series of books, 207

F FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), 102 Farr, Michael, 158, 203–206 fastest-growing occupations, 43–45 federal aid, 112 Federal Citizen Information Center, 153, 156, 159 Federal Director Loans, 114 Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, 114 federal government education funding, 106–107 federal government occupations, 49–50, 144–146 federal jobs by major, 155 Federal Jobs Digest, 155 Federal Pell Grant, 111 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, 111 Federal Trade Commission, 94 Federal Work-Study Program, 114 15-Minute Cover Letter, 206 50 Best Jobs for Your Personality, 203 FinAid, 111 financial aid, 102–104, 111 Financial Aid Advisor, 104–106 financial fitness tools, 111 Florida State University Career Center, 160 Fogg, Neeta, 205

40 Best Fields for Your Career, 204 Franklin, Ben, 93 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 102 free courses, 75–76 Fulbright Program, 116

G Gallery of Best Cover Letters, 206 Gallery of Best Resumes, 206 Gallery of Best Resumes for People Without a Four-Year Degree, 206 Geary, Gail, 207 GED (General Educational Development) certificate, 59, 61–63 gender-neutral occupations, 57 geographic changes, 183–185 Geological Survey, 156 Gibbs, Joe, 1 goals, financial, 109–110 Government Benefits Web site, 167–168 government occupations, finding by interests, 9–14 government services for job-status changes, 167–168 Graham, Katherine, 56 Gretzky, Wayne, 151 grooming and dressing, 157 Guide to America’s Federal Jobs, 204

H H.I.R.E. Network, 155 Hall, Barbara, 165 Harrington, Paul, 205 Harrington, Thomas, 205 Helmets to Hardhats, 199 Help in a Hurry series of books, 206 high-growth, high-demand occupations, 46–49 Higher Education Act of 1965, 70 © JIST Works

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Index

Hire Vets First, 199 Holland, John, 2 homelessness, 198 HOPE Scholarship, 114 Hubbard, Elbert, 109 Human Resources Directorate, 117

I Idealist.org, 84 interests, 1–14, 19–20 Career Interest Guide, 7–9 Computerized Interest Profiler, 2–4 dreams, 19 government occupations, 9–14 identifying, 2–4, 6–7 Life Accelerator, 6–7 matching occupations to, 36–38 Web tools, 19–20 Work Importance Profiler, 2, 4–6 work values, 4–6 Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 111, 162–163 Interview Magic, 206 IPEDS College Opportunities On-Line Web tool, 68–70 IT training programs, 78–80

J JIST Tips Web site, 152 Job Accommodation Network, 154, 198 job aspirations, 122–125 job changes, see career changes Job Corps, 95–96 job fairs, 199 job openings, 45–46 Job Scout, 140–141, 176–179 Job Search Magic, 206 job skills, see education, acquiring; education, funding Job Star Central, 56 jobs, finding, 121–122 © JIST Works

Jobs for the Future, 154 JobWeb, 158, 160 Jones International University, 89

K Keirsey temperament sorter, 20 Kelly Services, 158–161, 197 keywords, 22–24 knowledge requirements for occupations, 30–32 Kursmark, Louise, 206–207

L license requirements for occupations, 39–41 Licensed Occupations tool, 39–41 Life Accelerator, 6–7 LinkedIn, 158 literacy skills, 64–65 local services for improving job skills, 65–66

M Magic series of books, 206 Major to Career Converter, 170–171 majors, matching to job listings, 170–171 Marine Corps scholarships, 119 MarineNet, 91 Maxwell, Bruce, 204 MentorNet, 84 Mike Farr’s Online Get a Job Workshop, 152 military careers, 50–52 military scholarships, 108–109 Military Spouse JobSearch, 154 Military Spouse Web site, 200 military transitions, 179–180 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 151 Money magazine, 196

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O

Occupational Information Network (O*NET), 2 Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 57, 204 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 57 occupations, finding, 21–58 ability requirements, 32–34 Certification Finder, 41–42 certification requirements, 41–42 fastest-growing, 43–45 federal government, 49–50 high-growth, high-demand, 46–49 interest matching, 36–38 job openings, 45–46 keywords, 22–24 knowledge requirements, 30–32 license requirements, 39–41 Licensed Occupations tool, 39–41 military careers, 50–52, 57 new and emerging, 57 O*NET Online tool, 22–36 physical capabilities, 34–36 skill matching, 24–29 videos, 53–55 Web tools, 56–58 Work Importance Profiler, 38 work value matching, 38–39 Office of Personnel Mangement (OPM), 7, 9, 49–50, 106, 154 Office of Postsecondary Education, 70–71 older workers, 180–181 Operation Transition, 200 Outstanding Scholars Program, 117, 156 Over-40 Job Search Guide, 207

O*NET (Occupational Information Network), 2 O*NET Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 204 O*NET Online tool, 22–36, 168–169 Oakton Community College, 159

Pay and Compensation Calculator, 199 Perkins Loans, 112, 114 physical capability, occupations not requiring, 34–36

Monster.com, 170 Montgomery GI Bill, 107, 118 MyFuture.com, 57, 160

N NASA, 116–117 National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators, 111 National Association of Colleges and Employers, 93 National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, 84 National Center of Educational Statistics, 190 National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, Mobility International USA, 154 National Directory of Vocational Schools, 86 National Institutes of Health, 117 National Older Worker Career Center, 180–181 National Science Foundation, 117 National University, 89 National Veterans’ Training Institute, 200 Navy scholarships, 118 Nellie Mae, 112 networking, 158 New Guide for Occupational Exploration, 203 Next-Day Job Interview, 206 Noble, David, 206

P

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Picasso, Pablo, 1 PLUS Loans, 113–114 Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 159 private sector transitions, 181–183 Purdue University, 128

Q Quick Guide to College Majors and Careers, 205 The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book, 206

R REALifelines, 200 Resources for Diverse Groups, 155 Resume Magic, 206 Resume Tutorial, 125–127 resume-writing skills, 125–128 retirement, 191–193 Ride, Sally, 195 Riley Guide, 153 Rising Star Internships, 84 Rogers, Will, 195 Roosevelt, Eleanor, 19

S Salary Calculator, 188–189 Salary Expert, 161 Sallie Mae, 113 Saludos.com, 155 Same-Day Resume, 206 scholarships, 94, 99–101 Scholarships for Military Children, 118 Scholarships.com, 114 schools, finding, 190–191 SCORE, 147-150, 162 Secret Service, 117 Selected Reserve and National Guard, 107 Selective Service, 94, 102 Senior Community Service Employment Program, 198 © JIST Works

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), 147–150 Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), 91 Seven-Step Job Search, 206 Shatkin, Laurence, 203, 205 similar occupations to change to, finding, 168–169 SITES Web site, 201 skills, 14–20, 171–176 career changes, 171–176 dreams, 19 identifying, 14–16 importance of, 16–19 occupation matching, 24–29 Skills Identifier, 14–16 Web tools, 19–20 Skills Gap Analyzer, 171–176 Skills Identifier, 14–16 Small Business Administration (SBA) , 77–78, 163 Small Business Administration Library, 163 Smithsonian Institute, 116 Social Security Administration, 153 Spouses to Teacher, 201 Stafford Loans, 112, 114 State Apprenticeship Councils (SACs), 97 StayNAVY Retirement Calculator, 200 student aid, 112 Student Career Experience Program, 115 Student Guide, 112 study guides and strategies, 87 study skills, 87

T testing information for schools, online, 20 Transferable Skills Identifier, 201 Transition Assistance Online, 201

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Transition Assistance Program, 201 Troops to Teachers Program, 201 Truman Scholarship Foundation, 114 25 Tips Web site, 151 250 Best Jobs Through Apprenticeships, 205

U U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) internships, 118 U.S. Department of Commerce, 156 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), 202, 204 U.S. Department of Education, 86, 94, 203 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 115 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 96 U.S. Department of Interior, 158, 197 U.S. Department of Labor, 95, 152, 161, 165, 195, 203–205 U.S. Department of State, 116 U.S. Geological Survey, 156 U.S. News & World Report, 86 U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 7, 9, 49–50, 106, 154 United Negro College Fund, 101–102 University of Maryland University College, 89 University of Phoenix, 89 USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, 193–194 USAJOBS Web site, 144–146, 157, 181–183 USNews.com, 113

V Veteran’s Administration, 107 Veterans Upward Bound Program, 91 Vet Jobs Web site, 202 videos on occupations, 53–55 vocational information center, 58

vocational schools, 63–64 volunteering, 193–194, 198

W–Z wage comparisons, 185–189 wages versus education level, 80–81 Web tools, career changes business and entrepreneurship www.business.gov/phases/ getting_out/, 202 www.score.org/readingroom.html, 202 www.vsscyberoffice.com/vbo/, 202 job loss www.doleta.gov/layoff/workers. cfm, 195 www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/ alerts/outwkalrt.htm, 195 www.iseek.org/sv/41126.jsp, 196 www.jobsearching.org/coping. cfm, 195 military transitions staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/PCC/ ?B3=Launch+Calculator, 199 staynavytools.bol.navy.mil/ RetCalc/Default.aspx, 200 www.acap.army.mil, 198 www.acap.army.mil/transitioner/ job_fairs/index.cfm, 199 www.careervoyages.gov/ careerchangers-military.cfm, 179–180 www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_ web/troopstoteachers/ Overview.htm, 201 www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/sites/ index.jsp, 201 www.dmdc.osd.mil/ot/, 200 www.dodtransportal.dod.mil/dav/ lsnmedia/LSN/dodtransportal/, 202 © JIST Works

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www.dol.gov/elaws/evets.htm, 199 www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/ NVTIFS09.htm, 200 www.dol.gov/vets/programs/ Real-life/Allpages.pdf, 200 www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/ tap_fs.htm, 201 www.greentogray.com/, 199 www.helmetstohardhats.org/ home.jsp, 199 www.hirevetsfirst.gov/, 199 www.milspouse.org/, 200 www.spousestoteachers.com/ pages/16/index.htm, 201 www.taonline.com/, 201 www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/tsi/ search_main.asp, 201 www.vetjobs.com/, 202 older workers and special groups pathprogram.samhsa.gov/about/ overview.asp, 198 www.aarp.org/money/careers/ findingajob/, 197 www.choosetosave.org/ballpark/, 198 www.doleta.gov/seniors/, 198 www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/ PublicService.shtml, 198 www.jan.wvu.edu/portals/ individuals.htm, 198 www.nowcc.org/, 181 resigning jobsearchtech.about.com/od/ letters/l/aa030998.htm, 197 www.radinassociates.com/ resignation-proper.htm, 197 transitions 6steps.monster.com/step1/ careerconverter/, 170–171 career.usajobs.opm.gov/, 181–182 mapping-your-future.org/adult/, 197 © JIST Works

money.cnn.com/best/bplive, 196 nces.ed.gov/globallocator/, 190–191 online.onetcenter.org, 168–169 stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/ winter/art03.pdf, 196 www.aarp.org/money/careers/, 191–193 www.acinet.org, 183–185, 196 www.acinet.org/acinet/select_ occupation.asp?next=compare_ get_msa, 186–188 www.acinet.org/acinet/skills_ about.asp, 171–176 www.ajb.org, 177–179 www.back2college.com, 196 www.doi.gov/octc/mapof.html, 197 www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits, 167–168 www.homefair.com, 188 www.homefair.com/homefair/ calc/salcalc.html, 188–189 www.iseek.org/sv/41019.jsp, 196 www.kellyservices.us/web/us/ services/en/pages/position_ comparison_guide.html, 197 www.seminarinformation.com/, 197 www.usafreedomcorps.gov/, 193–194 Web tools, cover and thank-you letters www.careerlab.com/letters, 161 www.kellyservices.us, 160–161 www.myfuture.com/toolbox/ coverletter_all.html, 160 www.ajb.org, 139–140 Web tools, dressing and grooming www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/dress.pdf, 157 www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=Dress_ Success.wmv, 157

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Web tools, education benefits to education stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/ winter/art01.pdf, 83 teen.educationpays.org/calc.asp, 80–81 teen.educationpays.org/ factsheets/edpaysfact4.pdf, 83 www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/ p23-210.pdf, 82 www.mapping-your-future.org/ downloads/MHSCStudents.pdf, 83 college preparation www.ccn.ac.uk/library/online.asp, 87 www.collegeispossible.org/, 86–87 www.mapping-your-future.org/ features/seniorcalendar.htm, 87 www.studygs.net/, 87 distance learning www.bwcourses.com/, 88 www.coursefinders.com/, 88 www.detc.org/degree.html, 88 www.geteducated.com/, 87 www.petersons.com/ distancelearning/code/ search.asp, 88 www.petersons.com/dlwizard/ code/default.asp, 88 www.wcet.info/resources/ publications/conguide/, 88 GED www.acenet.edu, 61–62, 83 www.free-ed.net, 75–76 www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/ education/ged/t_ged.htm, 83 military opportunities www.dantes.doded.mil, 90 www.dantescatalogs.com/ NADLP/NADLPNav.asp, 90

www.dttp.ngb.army.mil/, 90 www.earmyu.com, 90 www.lewis.army.mil/eso/ aarts1.htm, 89 www.marinenet.usmc.mil/ portal/, 91 www.soc.aascu.org/, 91 www.soc.aascu.org/conap/, 90 www.veteransupwardbound.org/ vetub.html, 91 online universities www.capella.edu/, 89 www.jonesinternational.edu, 89 www.nu.edu/About/ TheUniversity.html, 89 www.phoenix.edu, 89 www.umuc.edu, 89 www.wgu.edu, 89 www.worldwidelearn.com/ online-degrees, 73–75 skills improvement www.aacc.nche.edu, 66–67 www.free-ed.net, 75–76 www.literacydirectory.org/, 64–65 www.servicelocator.org/, 65–66 training or education programs apps.collegeboard.com/search/ adv_typeofschool.jsp, 86 nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/, 68–70 studentaid2.ed.gov/gotocollege/, 72–73 www.50states.com/cc/, 86 www.50states.com/college/, 85 www.cetweb.org/, 85 www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/ accred/accreditation.html# Overview, 86 www.ed.gov/students/prep/ college/consumerinfo, 85 www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/ buspubs/diplomamills.pdf, 85 © JIST Works

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www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/ services/votech.htm, 85 www.go4it.gov/explore.cfm, 78–80 www.military.com/Education, 86 www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ Search.asp, 70–71 www.rwm.org/rwm/ usamaplink.htm, 63–64 www.sba.gov/training/ courses.html, 77–78 www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/ eduhome.htm, 86 work experience, gaining www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=How_ To_Get_Experience.wmv, 84 www.idealist.org/, 84 www.internshipprograms.com/, 84 www.mentornet.net/, 84 www.nascc.org/introtocorps.htm, 84 www.rsinternships.com/ typesii.htm, 84 Web tools, education funding apprenticeships bat.doleta.gov/bat.cfm, 97–99 www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/ employ/apprentice/apprentice. htm, 113 general information www.acenet.edu/bookstore/ pubInfo.cfm?pubID=334, 112 www.acinet.org/acinet/ finaidadvisor, 104–106 www.collegeboard.com/pay/, 111 www.collegesavings.org/, 110 www.fafsa.ed.gov/, 103–104 www.finaid.org/, 111 © JIST Works

www.health.gwu.edu/, 111 www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ index.html, 111 www.mapping-your-future.org/ features/dmtensteps.htm, 111 www.nasfaa.org/, 111 www.studentaid.ed.gov/, 110 www.studentaid.ed.gov/ students/publications/student_ guide/2005-2006/english/ index.htm, 111–112 www.studentaid.org/, 112 www.studentjobs.gov/ e-scholar.asp, 106–107 www.students.gov/, 112 government opportunities careers.state.gov, 116 education.nasa.gov/divisions/ higher/overview/index.html, 116–117 ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/, 115 exchanges.state.gov/education/ fulbright/, 116 hrd.whs.mil/page.cfm?info=20, 117 jobcorps.doleta.gov/about.cfm, 96 www.americorps.gov/about/ programs/nccc.asp, 115 www.cia.gov/employment/ student.html, 117 www.hhs.gov/jobs/students.html, 115 www.nsf.gov/dir/index.jsp? org=EHR, 117 www.si.edu/ofg/fell.htm, 116 www.studentjobs.gov/, 117 www.training.nih.gov/student/, 117 www.usda.gov/wps/portal/ usdahome, 118

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www.ustreas.gov/usss/ opportunities_co-op.shtml, 117 www.worldstudy.gov/, 116 www.ybwebsta.org/closest/ closestsite.cfm, 96 loans www.nelliemae.com/, 112 www.salliemae.com/, 113 www.studentaid.ed.gov/ students/publications/student_ guide/2005-2006/english/ index.htm, 112–113 military, education benefits from www.afreserve.com/money.asp, 118 www.gibill.va.gov/, 107 www.goarmy.com/rotc/ scholarships.jsp, 118 www.marines.com/, 119 www.military.com, 108–109 www.militaryscholar.org/, 118 www.navy.com/education/ earnmoneyforcollege, 118 www-p.afsv.af.mil/Clubs/ Scholarship.htm, 118 scholarships www.acinet.org/acinet/ scholarshipsearch/, 99–101 www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ index.html, 114 www.scholarships.com/, 114 www.truman.gov/, 114 www.uncf.org/scholarships/ scholarshipsearch.asp, 101–102 www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/ articles/040819/19sb_ scholarships.htm, 113 work-study www.studentaid.ed.gov/ students/publications/student_ guide/2005-2006/english/index. htm, 114

www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI14.asp, 115 Web tools, federal jobs www.eco.org/, 155 www.epa.gov/careers, 157 www.fedworld.gov/jobs/jobsearch. html, 156 www.jobsfed.com/, 155 www.pueblo.gsa.gov, 156 www.usajobs.opm.gov, 144–146, 157 www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI22.asp, 156 www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei23.asp, 155 www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI55.asp, 155 www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI64.asp, 156 www.usgs.gov/ohr/student/, 156 Web tools, interests and skills career.usajobs.opm.gov/, 8–14 studentaid.ed.gov/ PORTALSWebApp/students/ english/testinginfo.jsp, 20 www.acinet.org/acinet/skills_ about.asp, 14–16 www.advisorteam.com/ temperament_sorter, 20 www.careerjournal.com/ jobhunting/usingnet/ 20030429-dikel2.html, 19 www.iseek.org/sv/12399.jsp, 17–19 www.navy.com/careers/ accelerateyourlife, 6–7 www.onetcenter.org/CIP.html, 2–4 www.onetcenter.org/guides.html, 20 Web tools, interviewing www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/ Summer/art02.pdf, 160 www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/ second_inter.html, 160 www.jobweb.com/Resources/ Library/Interviews, 160 www.kellyservices.us, 160 Web tools, job searches www.acinet.org, 122–125, 152–153, 157 © JIST Works

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www.acinet.org/acinet/ employerlocator, 143–144 www.ajb.org/, 129–133 www.careeronestop.org/, 129 www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/cjsbook/ index.htm, 151 www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/internet. pdf, 152 www.doleta.gov/Seniors/other_ docs/jobSearch.pdf, 152 www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=Finding_ Companies.wmv, 152 www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=Using_ Internet.wmv, 152 www.jist.com/free_resources.shtm, 152 www.jist.com/jobbtns.shtm, 152 www.pueblo.gsa.gov, 153 www.jobsearch.org/seeker/ jobscouts, 140–141 www.resumemaker.com/advice/ advice.jsp, 151 www.rileyguide.com, 153 Web tools, networking www.ajb.org/, 141–143 www.careerfairs.com/, 146–147 www.careerjournal.com/ jobhunting/networking/, 158 www.doi.gov/octc/network2.html, 158 www.linkedin.com/, 158 www.quintcareers.com/ networking_guide.html, 158 Web tools, occupations career.usajobs.opm.gov/cig/ specific.asp, 49–50 online.onetcenter.org, 22–39 www.acinet.org/, 43–46 www.acinet.org/acinet/ certifications_new, 41–42 © JIST Works

www.acinet.org/acinet/ licensedoccupations, 40–41 www.bls.gov/oco/, 57 www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm, 56 www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2002/fall/ art02.pdf, 57 www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2005/fall/ art01.pdf, 58 www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome. htm, 57 www.careerinfonet.org, 53–55 www.careeroink.com, 56 www.careersinthemilitary.com, 50–52 www.careervoyages.com, 47–49 www.ecommandos.com/nw/ playcollege.php?fname=Choosing_ Your_Career.wmv&fspeed=56#, 58 www.jobstar.org/tools/career/ spec-car.cfm, 56 www.khake.com, 58 www.mapping-your-future.org/ planning/, 58 www.myfuture.com, 57 www.stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2004/ winter/oochart.pdf, 57 www.todaysmilitary.com/, 57 Web tools, resumes owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops, 128 resume.monster.com/dilemmas, 159 www.acinet.org/acinet/resume/ resume_intro.asp, 125–127 www.ajb.org, 134–139 www.deed.state.mn.us/cjs/skill.pdf, 159 www.jobweb.com/Resources/ Library, 158 www.kellyservices.us, 158–159 www.oakton.edu/resource/stuserv/ netjobs/resumes/index.html, 159

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www.privacyrights.org/fs/ fs25-JobSeekerPriv.htm, 159 www.pueblo.gsa.gov, 159 Web tools, salaries and benefits teen.educationpays.org/factsheets/ edpaysfact1.pdf, 161 www.bls.gov/oco/oco20046.htm, 161 www.salaryexpert.com, 161 Web tools, small businesses www.score.org, 148–150 www.bplans.com, 162 www.business.gov/phases/ launching/, 162 www.irs.gov/businesses/small/ article/0,,id=97726,00.html, 162 www.irs.gov/businesses/small/ article/0,,id=99336,00.html, 163 www.sba.gov/ada/smbusgd.pdf, 162 www.sba.gov/starting_business/ startup/guide.html, 163 www.sbaonline.sba.gov/library/ pubs.html, 163 www.score.org/readingroom.html, 162

Web tools, special groups hirenetwork.org/, 155 www.acinet.org, 155 www.earnworks.com/, 153 www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/, 154 www.jff.org/jff/, 154 www.jobaccess.org/jobs.htm, 154 www.militaryspousejobsearch.org, 154 www.miusa.org/ncde, 154 www.opm.gov/disability/, 154 www.saludos.com, 155 www.ssa.gov/work/, 153 Weiss, Patricia, 205 Western Governors University, 89 Whitcomb, Susan Britton, 206 Winfrey, Oprah, 82 Work Importance Profiler, 2, 4–6, 38 work values, 4–6, 38–39 Worldwide Learn, 73–75 YouthBuild USA, 96

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