• Subject Headings
• Finding Books
• Circulating Books
• Books and e-Books
• Pamphlets
• Magazines and Journals
• Periodicals
• Web Sites
• Other Campus Resources

There are many ways to locate career information at the GCC Library. Career information can be found in circulating books (which may be checked out of the library), reference books (available for in-library use only), e-Books (available online through the library catalog) Web sites, and magazine or newspaper articles in databases such as ProQuest.

Subject Headings

Subject headings play an important role in helping you locate books in the library. Before you can begin searching for books using the online library catalog, you need to decide how to state your question. In the case of careers, there are several subject headings that can help you get started. Here are some examples:

Finding Books

If you are looking for books about specific careers, use the name of the career together with the subject keyword Vocational guidance. For example:

• Authorship—Vocational Guidance
• Broadcasting—Vocational Guidance
• College Teaching—Vocational Guidance
• Forestry—Vocational Guidance
• Health—Vocational Guidance
• Public Relations—Vocational Guidance

Circulating Books

Some books which may be checked out:

• Aims of Argument:  A Brief Guide 
  808.0427 C957a, 2006
• Best College Admission Essays
  808.066378 S851b, 2002

Books and e-Books*

The library has an excellent collection of books and e-Books on careers and job hunting.  Some books are library-use only while others may be checked out or accessed in electronic format.  Following is a selection of the most current editions available at the library. *E-books can be accessed through the library’s online catalog. You will need your student ID number and birth date to access e-books.

• College Majors Handbook, 2004 (e-Book)
• Guide to Internet Job Searching, 2004 (e-Book)
• Learning a Living:  A Guide to Planning Your Career – 331.702087 B877L
• Los Angeles JobBank —  REF 331.128 L879 2003
• Occupational Brief —  REF 331.7 C557 (updated periodically)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 (e-Book) 

  The Occupational Outlook Handbook is available online at www.bls.gov/oco/ where you may also link to other resources offered by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• O*Net Dictionary of Occupational Titles —  REF 331.7003 O58, 2004
• VGM’s Careers Encyclopedia, 2002 (e-Book)
• What Color is Your Parachute? - 331.1 B691, 20

Pamphlets

The library pamphlet file contains pamphlets (or short publications) on careers. Pamphlets are arranged in alphabetical order by career and are located on the 4th floor of the library, across from Periodicals.

Locating Magazine and Journal Articles - Periodical Indexes

On-line databases contain full-text articles from both periodicals and newspapers. The ProQuest database is a good one for locating career information. Once you access the ProQuest database, you can simply type in your search terms and click the Search button. For example, you could do a search for careers and police.  If you get too many results, try narrowing down your search by adding more words to your search or by changing from a Citation and Abstract search to a Subject search.

Local and National Newspapers

You may want to refer to local newspapers for jobs in your area and national newspapers for jobs across the United States and abroad. National newspapers, such as The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, and New York Times, are excellent sources for nationally advertised positions. We have some newspapers in print, and others can be found in the ProQuest  database.

Web Sites

Some helpful web sites include:

JobStar Central

Excellent resource for finding positions in California, especially inSacramento, S.F. Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The Web page also provides guidelines for writing effective resumes, career guides and salary information.

Job Shadowing

An excellent resource for students who want a firsthand opportunity to learn about how skills learned in school can be applied to the workplace.  Both government agencies as well as private organizations have hosted students interested in job shadowing with workplace mentors.

The Black Collegian Online

Guidance on colleges and professional schools for minorities, including information on fellowships.

JobWeb

Job advice and leads for college graduates from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.  Includes information on how to look for jobs, job listings of major employers, tips on interviewing, and suggestions for writing effective resumes.

Princeton Review

Service that helps students/parents in finding and getting into the right college, graduate school, professional school, or career.  Information on testing, admissions requirements, financial aid, and career issues.

 Librarians' Internet Index

Use this Web Subject Directory to locate web sites related to careers and job hunting. Click on the link Business then Jobs for various topics related to careers and career development.

California Careers 

California Careers Information web site.

O*Net Online

A free career consultant.  Describe your skills and interests in order to find possible career paths.

The Riley Guide

Offers resources to facilitate your job search on the Internet, and includes a database of career related information.

 IMDiversity.com

Career planning, resume, and employment search resources for ethnically diverse job seekers.

America's JobBank

This gigantic database by the U.S. Department of Labor allows users to search for job openings and post resumes where thousands of employers search every day. (See also: California’s Job Bank)

Other Campus Resources

The Career Center (located on the second floor of the San Rafael building, ext. 5407)

The Career Center is staffed with professionals who specialize in helping you choose your personal and career goals. The services and resources available at the Career Center include career counseling, assessment and testing, an extensive library of career resources, college catalogs, a CD-ROM collection of college and university catalogs, EUREKA and DISCOVER computerized career programs, a video library, and career related workshops.