Career Confusion?

Are you ready to take the next steps in your college career?

If you are seeking information about vocational schools or universities, career guidance, or financial aid, SWC Library resources can help. Staff and currently enrolled students may access Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center, a comprehensive database that allows you to cater your search to your needs.

Visit the Library’s website to begin searching today. Featured tabs include: Explore Industries, Plan Your Education, and Launch Your Career. Create an account and save search results to your folder for reference.

Get started today at www.swccd.edu/librarydatabases or stop by the Library for assistance!

Review by Tanya Carr, SWC Librarian

Career Research - Free Workshop Tomorrow

Join us Thursday, September 29, for a 30-minute workshop on career research. Curious about some career ideas? Is your Google search not quite cutting it? You've come to the right place.

All workshops are held on Thursdays at 12 PM in Room L-244.

Thursday - jump start your career!

Join us this Thursday at noon for a Career Jumpstart!

• What career path are you interested in pursuing? How much will it pay? What kind of education will be required?
• Looking for a job?
• Writing a resume?

The Library's 30 minute Career Jumpstart workshop will be held this noon, Thursday, April 7, in L-244. No sign up is required, and you can ask your instructor if extra credit is available for attending.

See you at the Library!

Salary Surfer

Want to know more about the earnings of recent graduates from California community colleges? The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office created the Salary Surfer to help provide this information to you.

The Salary Surfer uses the collected earnings of graduates from a five year period to estimate the potential wages one may earn two years and five years after receiving a certificate or degree in certain disciplines. This tool also provides information on which colleges offer programs in those specific disciplines.

While it is useful to know the potential earnings after receiving a certificate or degree, other important considerations, such as personal interest and skill, should be used in selecting an educational program.

Information about the data and the methodology used to develop the Salary Surfer is available in the documentation on the website. Contact salarysurfer@cccco.edu if you have additional questions.

What's a good career for you?

Find out with the Occupational Outlook Handbook!

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 edition. Reference Section HF 5381 A1 O36 2014-15

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is an annual publication of the U.S. Department of Labor and the information in it is updated each year.

It is “a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide the overwhelming majority of jobs in the United States. Each occupational profile describes the duties required by the occupation, the work environment of that occupation, the typical education and training needed to enter the occupation, the median pay for workers in the occupation, and the job outlook into the next 10 years for that occupation."

The information provided for each occupation is comprehensive and current, and users should find the required education and training section and the job outlook section included in each occupation description particularly helpful.

You can find this up-to-date resource in the Reference Section of the Library. Stop at the reference desk and ask the librarian for assistance.

Review by John Tibbals, SWC Librarian

Science Breakthroughs

2013 was a big year for science. 

DNA extraction by CIMMYT via Flickr

The peer-reviewed journal Science listed their top ten breakthroughs in science for the year. Another peer-reviewed journal, Nature, highlighted ten people who made a difference in science.

Biotechnology is making progress that could lead to the cure and prevention of cancers and and other health problems. San Diego's “Biotech Beach” is one of the largest biotech hubs in the world and a major employer for our region. Want to learn more?

"Biotech Beach: San Diego Ranked as Third Best Biotech Region in the Country." SD Metro Magazine Daily Business Report, March 11, 2014.

Fikes, Bradley J. "UCSD Ranked a Top 10 Biomed Research Center." San Diego Union Tribune, February 16, 2014.

If you think you may be interested in a career in biotechnology, here is some useful information about salary, required education, job outlook, and other useful information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 edition.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. "Biochemists and Biophysicists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. January 8, 2014.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. "Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians." Occupational Outlook Handbook. January 8, 2014.

Review by John Stanton, SWC Librarian

Thinking about getting a job?

The library has career and job resources for you!

• Find a book or e-book to help you create the best resume possible
• Watch a video or read about interviewing skills
• Explore job resources on the Internet
• Find out all of the details about your career choice - including work conditions, salary and whether it's a growing field (Occupational Outlook Handbook)
• What can I do with a major in... ? (Compiled by University of NC Wilmington)

And don't forget SWC's Career Center, located in the Cesar Chavez building.

Need help? Ask a librarian!

Drawing Lesson

Check It Out

Looking for a job? Explore the possibilities with Find Your Federal Job Fit, by Janet M. Ruck. (2012)
New Book Shelf JK716 .R85 2012

"This little book shows you how to analyze your skills, experience, and values. It introduces you to the mission and values of key federal departments and agencies. And it tells you how to create a match between you and a target job destination." (publisher)

Ruck includes relevant and up-to-date information for the job seeker, including:

• Understanding Federal job search basics. 
• Common mistakes that Federal job seekers make
• Skills the Federal government is seeking

Once you are familiar with the jobs that meet your skills, Rusk outlines how to create your career plan, fill out your application, and prepare for an interview.

Find Your Federal Job Fit is currently available to check out for four weeks with your SWC photo ID card.

Have a question? Ask a Librarian!

Check it out

Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service, by Heather Krasna. JIST Works, 2010.
Call number: New Books JK716 .K686 2010

Krasna (director of career services, Evan School of Public Affairs, Univ. of Washington) offers a guide to finding jobs in the public sector. She writes, "In this book, I define public service careers as those that make a significant contribution to solving problems in society or the world." Krasna covers careers in human services, health care, civil rights, education, worker protections, natural-resource management, parks and recreation, urban planning, transportation, financial resources, world international development, law enforcement, international security, and arts, culture, and religion. The book provides self-assessment exercises and work sheets to decide on specific career goals, along with case studies on those who have achieved success in public services. ... First-time job seekers and career changers should benefit from Krasna's information. Her book fills a niche for those concentrating on working in the public sector.—Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY (Review from Library Journal)

Chronicle Career Library - Online Resource

Choosing an occupation or considering a career change is one of the most challenging tasks facing students and adults.The library has purchased access to the Chronicle Career Library Occupational Briefs On-Line service. By utilizing this resource, you will have immediate access to information on more than 2,000 occupational titles, including 650 four-page comprehensive occupational descriptions, ranging from those that require a high school diploma or less, through professional careers.

You will find the Chronicle Career Library on our Articles and Databases website http://www.swccd.edu/~library/articles.htm . Students who are currently enrolled can also receive off campus access. For additional information about off campus access visit our remote access website http://www.swccd.edu/~library/Lvl2/index.asp?L2=26 or call the Library Reference Desk 619-421-6700 x 5381