Many people wonder anxiously about which type of job they'll like or how they can break into the career of their dreams. Surprisingly, very few people ever take advantage of one of the best ways to answer their questions about careers: asking the workers already in them. Talking to people about their jobs and asking them for advice is called…

Describes how people used their hobbies to find a career. Profiles people in hobby-centered occupations, Offers suggestions for turning a hobby into a career and provides ideas for locating more information. (JOW)

Describes the skills and training needed, earnings expected, risks, and bonuses for the following occupations: video game designers, artists, sound designers, programmers, and testers. (JOW)

Provides job descriptions and information for keepers and other animal caretakers at zoos and aquariums. Includes information about skills and training needed, working conditions, employment outlook, and earnings. Includes a list of resources for further information. (JOW)

Describes apprentice programs and discusses what it is and how to find, choose, and qualify for a program. Included are lists of apprenticeable occupations, the 25 most popular apprenticeships, commonly apprenticed occupations with highest earnings, commonly apprenticed occupations with most job openings, and apprenticeship offices for every…

Describes five behind-the-scenes occupations found in almost every type of charitable nonprofit organization: manager, fundraisers, foundation program officers, communications directors, and executive directors. Lists the training, employment, and earnings characteristics of people-to-people, food-related, advocacy, and trade occupations in the…

Discusses how new and emerging occupations develop, why they are hard to identify, what risks and rewards vanguard workers face, and how to find a cutting-edge job. Describes strategies researchers use to identify emerging careers. (JOW)

Occupational Employment Survey data from 1998-2000 on 800 occupations in 391 locations illustrate how earnings vary from location to location for the same occupation. For most occupations, location has little influence on salary, but for some, across all types and levels, salaries vary dramatically. (JOW)

Describes the work of usability engineers, who improve computer hardware, software, and websites by focusing on how users perceive and manipulate those tools. Discusses education, training, salaries, and talents needed by usability engineers. (Author/JOW)

Describes how technology has changed the work, earnings, job prospects, and education of librarians. Includes stories from librarians who tell why they chose their careers and how technology affects their work. (JOW)

Discusses the following aspects of associate degrees: which occupations they prepare students for, how to select and prepare for a college program, and where to find information about associate degree programs and careers. (JOW)