CAREERS NOW 10-01-06

Discover What You Want To Do Next

DEAR JOYCE: I have been out of the work force for 21 years raising my children. Of the many things I need to know, one is how to choose a new career option. I may have to pay a career counselor at some point, but I'd like to start on my own. I've already followed your advice to look over the government's Occupational Outlook Handbook, and it was interesting but it was a bit formal. Can you recommend another resource? - T.W.F.

You may find that "Guide to Your Career," 6th Edition, adds perspective to your future direction. Written by career counselor Alan B. Bernstein and the Editors of The Princeton Review, the 541-page paperback is published by Princeton Review Books; 2006.

The colorful book employs the Birkman Career Style Summary to divide career profiles into four color-coded sections: red careers for implementers, green careers for communicators, yellow careers for administrators and blue careers for planners. Some readers say the four-code system hits the nail dead on, while others who have analyzed themselves with the Birkman system do not agree. Each of the 240 two-page career profiles includes "a day in the life," plus a glance at what the work activities and pay might be after five to 10 years.

"Guide to Your Career" includes a number of occupations not usually included in starchier career references, such as comedian, stunt double, antiques dealer, astrologer, political aide, rare books dealer and video game designer.

The guide's predictions for what's ahead for each occupation are sometimes sketchy; for example, not enough weight is given to the unknowns of exporting jobs and importing workers balanced against impending retirements of baby boomers. But as a grownup, you know you need to research from more than a single source, and to soul search before committing yourself to a specific career path.

Although the book is available at Amazon.com for under $14, a bargain, it does contain sponsored content and advertising by educational lenders.

DEAR JOYCE: As most resumes are now sent over the Internet, do I still need to include a cover letter with each resume for a specific position? - P.E.

I would. But I'd make it a cover note of six to 10 lines rather than a page-long cover letter. The note should briefly say that your qualifications address every requirement the job asks for. Send the cover note in plain text and attach your resume. Your resume has to show how you are a perfect, not a maybe fit for the job. And if you have a category-clincher, such as a current Top Secret security clearance, launch your cover note with that fact right after the note's salutation.

DEAR JOYCE: My son is just starting at a community college. I want him to take an internship as soon as possible when he transfers to a four-year college. What should we know about finding good internships that could lead to a strong career launch? - A.E.R.

Most colleges, including community colleges, and universities encourage students to get internships and to find a mentor. Many institutions of higher education even have internship centers on campus, sometimes as a stand-alone or as a function of the campus career center.

But a fresh idea has surfaced. Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (harrisburgu.net) in Harrisburg, Penn. takes academic preparation for work to a new level. (Note: This is neither vocational-technical education nor cooperative education.)

HU not only matches all students with a business mentor upon enrollment, the university requires students to complete three internships and works with a large technology staffing firm to give students access to exceptional internship opportunities that can lead to long-term employment.

Small, new, not-for-profit and in the regional accreditation pipeline, Harrisburg University offers academic and research programs in math, science and technology. The curricula are designed to meet the needs of employers in the region to hire educated and ready-to-work graduates.

The Harrisburg University plan is a model that liberal arts colleges might keep an eye on to see how it pans out. I think it's a great idea.

DEAR JOYCE: I am writing my resume and my degree is in art history but I want a job in marketing. Can I just write "marketing" as my major since I took a course in it? - S.R.

When you have the wrong major, just write the degree - Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts - and the year of graduation. Mention your marketing study in a course work section.

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