Career Resource Center
The Career Resource Center (CRC) is located inside the University Counseling and Testing Center (UCTC) and is open from 8-4:45 weekdays (Monday-Friday). It is closed whenever UCTC is closed. The CRC holds a wealth of information on careers, majors, and the world of work. There is the DISCOVER computer career information system and numerous books and files available. The CRC is not a library and thus these books and files cannot be checked out, however, a limited number of photocopies can be made from the resources at no charge. The following is a sample of some of the resources available in the CRC:
- Opportunities in ________ Books- These books give many details on the specific career as well as the careers that are related to it. Some useful types of information in these books include the future direction of the career, where people find employment, job responsibilities, educational and experiential requirements, and much more.
Strength- especially useful for getting more in depth information on particular careers than can be found in other resources.
- Careers for __________ (Personality Types)- Although finding a satisfying career is usually more than matching one’s personality to that career (for example, values, interests and skills are also important) these books can nevertheless help expand one’s understanding of different careers that might be congruent with one’s personality.
Strength- especially useful for expanding one’s knowledge about careers where others with similar personalities find employment.
- Career Opportunities in_______- These books give information of a number of careers in a general career area. They also offer information on skill requirements, advancement prospects, special opportunities, and geographic considerations for particular careers.
Strength- especially useful for those looking for more in depth information about a career area as well as what geographic regions might be the best areas to find employment.
- Dictionary of Titles (DOT)- This book, put out by the Bureau of Labor, lists and briefly describes 1,000’s of different occupations. Sections are set up so that related occupations are within the same section or in close proximity. Jobs have a number attached to them and can be easily located using the various indexes in both the front and back of the book.
Strength- especially useful for finding careers you may not have thought about.
- DOT Files- Using the same number system, the DOT files or briefs offer expanded and updated information about various careers.
Strength- especially useful for getting more information on difficult to find or obscure careers.
- Great Jobs for______ Majors- These books allow the user to understand what they may do with a particular major. This is somewhat different than other books that discuss the career and then what major is needed for that career.
Strength- especially useful for those enjoying a major but not sure what to do with that major.
- The Occupational Outlook Handbook- Has the following information on a range of different careers: employment, job outlook/ market, related careers, type of work performed, and salary.
Strength- especially useful for getting accurate information on job outlook and salary (check this to ensure used properly)
- Orange Cluster Bins- Are arranged according to career areas and then are broken down into the specific careers themselves. These booklets contain information on the careers as well as interviews with people in the career. This allows for one to see the various hurdles the person needed to get over and their likes and dislikes.
- Strength- especially useful for obtaining information usually only available by actual job shadowing or informational interviewing.
- School Chronicles and 4 Year Colleges and 2 Year Colleges- Quick and easy way to find what schools offer various majors, degree levels and trade training.
Strength- especially useful for finding graduate schools, trade schools, 4 year colleges, or community colleges offering a degree in a desired area. *Please note, some omissions have been found in these books and you should follow up information gained from these books with the actual school or training program.
- 100 Jobs in ______- These books list 100 jobs in a career area and give a brief explanation of what that career entails. They also have informational interviews with an individual who is employed in that career. This interview explores how they got the job, what they do during a typical day and where they see the job going.
Strength- especially useful for those who have a general idea of the career area they want to be in, but are unsure of what exactly they want or can do in that area.
- Although there are many other book resources in the CRC below is list of a few more selected titles:
- Making it in Book Publishing: Inside Advice on How You can Launch Your Career in this Exciting Field
- Careers in the Visual Arts: A Guide to Jobs, Money, Opportunities, and an Artistic Life
- Adventure Careers: Your Guide to Exciting Jobs, Uncommon Occupations, & Extraordinary Experiences
- Country Careers: Successful Ways to Live and Work in the Country
- Careers in Multimedia: A Comprehensive Guide to the World of Interactive Media Development
- Travel and Hospitality Career Directory
- Best Careers for Bilingual Latinos: Market Your Fluency in Spanish to Get Ahead on the Job
DISCOVER- computer career informational system- User friendly computer program that helps with career exploration. Although students usually find the sections (called “Halls” in Discover) of majors and careers most helpful, there are two other halls included in the program- one is a short test you can take about careers and the other is about tasks related to finding a career such as cover letter writing. In the majors section, there is information about various majors that one can look up including what the major is about, what are some related majors and where schooling or training is available.
FAQ’s
Q: Is there a phone number I can call to ask questions about the CRC?
A: General questions can be directed to the main UCTC number at 269-387-1850. More specific questions are best addressed in person after you have had a chance to look over the material in the CRC.
Q: Who should I direct my questions about the CRC to?
A: During the academic year student workers often staff the CRC. A permanent member of the UCTC staff/ faculty is also usually available year round. Please direct your questions to them.