Conducting Occupational Research

1
Conducting Occupational Research

• Brief Overview of Resources Available

2
General Research

• Exploring Options

3
Occupational Outlook Handbook

• Use it to research specific careers and find
  information on the nature of the work, training
  and education required, opportunities for
  advancement, average salaries, projected job
  outlook and more.
• Online at www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

4
ONet

• Explore with searches based on skills, keyword,
  job family, and ONet descriptors.
• Online at http//online.onetcenter.org

5
Field- or Career-Specific Books

• For example
• 100 Best Careers for Writers and Artists
• Becoming a Graphic Designer
• Careers for Culture Lovers Other Artsy Types
• Careers for Foreign Language Aficionados Other
  Multilingual Types
• Working in Tourism
• NOTE These can be found in the CAL Career
  Center, 120 Linton Hall Career Services _at_
  Student Services, room 113 and some in the
  library system.

6
Field-Specific Research

• Narrowing Your Focus Identifying Opportunities

7
Professional OrganizationsFull of great stuff
current trends, job listings, salary surveys and
more!

• Association of American Publishers
  (www.publishers.org)
• American Association of Magazine Editors
  (www.magazine.org/Editorial/)
• Society of Professional Journalists
  (www.spj.org/)
• Society for Technical Communication (www.stc.org)
  
• American Advertising Federation
  (www.aaf.org/index.html)
• Public Relations Society of America
  (www.prsa.org)
• Magazine Publishers of America (www.magazine.org)
  
• Society of American Business Editors Writers
  (www.sabew.org)
• PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association
  (http//www.pma-online.org)
• (These are just examples of some of the kinds of
  organizations out there. Use your research
  skills to find the organizations related to your
  own area of interest!)

8
Trade Publications

• Publishers Weekly (www.publishersweekly.com/index.
  asp)
• Ad Age (www.adage.com)
• Chronicle of Higher Education (http//chronicle.co
  m)
• Chronicle of Philanthropy (http//philanthropy.com
  )
• (Again, just examples. Do research to find the
  publications related to your area of interest!)

9
Job Listing Professional Resources

• For non-profits Action Without Borders
  www.idealist.org
• In publishing Bookjobs.com, part of Association
  of American Publishers www.bookjobs.com
• For writing and other media-related areas
  www.mediabistro.com
• For federal government careers
  www.usajobs.opm.gov
• For those interested in state government
  www.michigan.gov
• (for example)
• Job listings can be a great source for research
  since they are often much more specific and
  detailed than other resources. Browsing through
  several job listings can give you a better sense
  of what the job entails and whether or not it
  would be a good fit for you.

10
Employer Research

• Find the Right PLACE to Find the Right JOB

11
CareerSearch

• Search for employers by industry, location and
  keyword. A great way to quickly target key
  employers of interest for further research.
• Available through SpartanTRAK.

12
WetFeet

• Get industry, company, career, country, city and
  real people profiles as well as salary
  information and invaluable insider guides.
• A wealth of information available to you through
  SpartanTRAK.

13
Specific Employer Information

• Websites
• Annual Reports
• Recruiting materials/packets
• Marketing materials
• Check out databases and other resources available
  through the Business Library for a wealth of
  information on specific employers

14
The Bottom Line

• Finding a job or internship often starts with
  online researchbut to be successful, youve got
  to get out from behind the computer and
• TALK TO PEOPLE! ?