Using Library Resources to Choose a Career

Libraries have incredible resources to help you choose a career and find a job. Discover and use books and online resources to explore careers, find job leads and prepare for interviews.

Grab your My Tri-C card and your Greater Access Library Card and let's take a tour!

CCPL and CPL

Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) has a fabulous guide on its website devoted to career information with resources that are free or available from home using the Greater Access Library Card. (Be sure to validate your Greater Access Library Card at both CPL and CCPL!)

Start your career search at CCPL's Career Information Page, then move to CPL's Career databases if needed.

Choosing a Career

Only a fortunate few know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. The rest of us need to take some time to research available career paths. What kind of schooling or training will I need? How much money can I earn? Will there be jobs when I graduate?

Check out CCPL's Choosing a Career guide, especially the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• OCIS uses extensive information on occupations, the military, colleges, and financial aid to match you with a specific career and give you a game plan on how to begin it.
  
  
• Occupational Outlook Handbook lists job duties, job outlook, and education requirements for thousands of jobs, and also provides reviews of job markets in each state.

Finding Books @ Your Library:

For books on career options, try a Subject search in Tri-C's library catalog for "Vocational Guidance" or "Vocational Guidance -- United States." (I know, but that's what we call it - vocational.)

For books on specific careers, try a Keyword search in Tri-C's library catalog for "vocational and [insert career choice here]" Example: vocational and construction

• Tip: these same searches can be also performed in OhioLINK, CPL's catalog and CCPL's catalog.