Occupational Outlook Handbook - Detailed descriptions of occupational fields including job duties, educational requirements, salary information and related occupations.

Occupational Information Network (O*Net) - Descriptions of career fields including educational and skill requirements, salary information, and related occupations.

CareerJournal.com - This website created by The Wall Street Journal, offers a valuable wealth of information through daily updates and various archived articles.  Students can research salary data and job functions for a variety of fields and examine recent hiring demands.

Vault.com - This website has a wealth of information on industries and careers.  Included on this website are occupational profiles, industry profiles, industry career guides, and career podcasts.   There is also an "A Day in the Life" section in which students can read profiles and often hourly accounts of a day in a particular career field as chronicled by a young professional.  

Wet Feet - Research specific companies and industries, as well as search for jobs. 

Career Mentor Programs - An online student-alumni networking program that enables students and graduates to access a database of Furman alumni who have volunteered to provide information and advice for those seeking career information.  This is a password protected site; you must contact the Career Services office and verify your eligibility prior to receiving a password.  Career Services sponsors the following Career Mentor Programs:

Career Link - Furman graduates are a valuable resource for information because they share your educational background.  Contact Furman alumni to learn information about their careers, job duties, and skills necessary to be successful in their field of work.   See below, for information on conducting an informational interview.

Shadow Program - Exists to provide students the opportunity to spend "a day in the life" of someone in a particular career field in order to gain first-hand insight into their job responsibilities, stressors, and positive and negative aspects of the field. 

• Make a list of all the people you know that may be able to offer assistance.    Include family, friends, friends of family, and family of your friends.   Also, don't forget professors, co-workers, former bosses and supervisors, and alumni.  A list of alumni in your chosen profession or field can be requested from the Alumni Office by visiting the Office of Career Services.  
  
  
• Contact your list members and ask them for a few minutes of their time.   For instructions on contacting alumni and professionals, visit the Office of Career Services.
  
  
• Tell them that you are seeking guidance and assistance with your career planning.  Be specific with your questions and let them know you are not applying for a job.
  
  
• When your conversation ends, ask the person for the name(s) of others in their field or company that they think could give you additional information.  
  
  
• Always send a thank-you note for taking out time to speak with you and for providing advice and information.  It is a good idea to forward a copy of your resume with a request to keep you in mind if the individual hears of opportunities in the future.
   
  

Sample Questions to Ask on an Informational Interview

• What types of skills are needed to perform this kind of work?
  
  
• What do you like/dislike about your work?
  
  
• What are the advancement opportunities in this field?
  
  
• What are the usual salary ranges for entry into this type of work?
  
  
• What is the best way to approach prospective employers in this type of work?
  
  
• Could you describe a typical work day for me?
  
  
• How would I acquire the skills needed to perform this type of work?
  
  
• What suggestions do you have for me as I pursue a job in this field?
  
  
• Are there other individuals or organizations that you recommend I contact?
  

 Visit the Office of Career Services for a more thorough list of questions to ask
during an interview or tips on introducing yourself to professionals.

Remember, many times the most helpful information comes in the form of referrals to other individuals or organizations.  If you make contact a contact through a referral, let the person who gave you the referral know how your meeting went. 

SALARY INFORMATION

MonsterTRAK Salary Center  -  This page gives up-to-date salary ranges based on job category, job title, and location.  Tools also include relocation vs. cost of living calculator to help you analyze if a move makes sense.

Collegejournal.com - includes various salary-related articles.  Also included is salary data for various job fields and information and tools to assist in calculating and negotiating one's salary.   

O*NET - simply type in the occupational title in the quick search, select the job title that matches your interest, and open the wage and employment link under view report.

OOH - Type in the occupational title and click on the earnings link to find median salary information.