290 Part 3 Career Planning
Internet to search for jobs is discussed further in Chapter 16, “Applying
for Jobs.”)
One-Stop Career Centers
Many cities have federally mandated career centers as part of
America’s One-Stop Career Center System. By coordinating local, state,
and national resources, One-Stop Career Centers can provide employment
counseling and assessment, information on job trends, and assistance in
fi ling unemployment insurance. The centers also help individuals fi nd
job training and government funds to help pay training costs.
Different names are used for the centers in different states. You can
fi nd the center nearest you by contacting your state employment offi ce
and asking for the location of the closest One-Stop Career Center. You can
also locate the center nearest you by visiting Web sites such as America’s
Service Locator (www.servicelocator.org). An online search using the search
term One-Stop Career Centers can also guide you to additional resources.
Guidance Counselors
Guidance counselors also play an important role in providing career
information. When you want to know more about a specifi c occupation,
a guidance counselor can direct you to the information you need. Many
guidance counselors keep career fi les in their offi ces that contain up-
to-date information about different occupations and their educational
requirements.
If you are in the process of trying to determine a career interest,
a guidance counselor can help you explore your options. A guidance
counselor will help you consider career options in relation to your
abilities and personal goals. He or she can also answer questions about
entry requirements and costs of schools, colleges, and training programs
that offer the education you need to prepare for a specifi c career.
Career Conferences
Schools often have career days when representatives from various
occupations, professions, and schools are available to speak to interested
students. Sometimes a local community college or chamber of commerce
sponsors these events. Be sure to participate in these programs and talk
with representatives to learn more about your career options.
Informal Interviews and Personal
Observations
If possible, have informal interviews with workers who are in jobs
that interest you. See 14-2. An informal interview is a discussion for
seeking advice. Having a chance to actually talk with workers will give
you insight into their occupations. Your guidance counselor can help you
Go Green
The USB fl ash drive
is becoming a popular
alternative to rewritable
CDs (CD-RWs). Even
though CD-RWs are
reusable, they can be
easily damaged and
may end up in a landfi ll
after just a few uses.
USB drives, on the other
hand, are more durable,
reusable, and easy to
carry and store. Have you
seen the new ecofriendly
bamboo USB drives?
Bamboo is one of the
fastest growing woody
plants on the planet, so
this renewable resource
is a good choice for the
case of a USB drive.