Learn about Occupations

There are many excellent sources on the Internet!  Our five favorites are listed below. While they are primarily written for the person who expects to be employed, they all have information that will help a person who is considering self-employment.

1. The Occupational Outlook Handbook gives accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information on occupations. It describes approximately 250 jobs, covering 90% of all workers -- earnings, training and education needed, working conditions, skills required, advancement opportunities, projected growth, related jobs, and sources of additional information.
   In addition, use the methods described at Learn about Occupations
   at our companion website, The Career Key.
   
   
2. America's Career InfoNet provides extensive information for the nation and specific states.  For example you can learn about wages, job market trends, and the skills needed for specific occupations.
   
   
3. Career Videos. See "real people doing real work." You choose from nearly 450 occupations.
   
   
4. If you want a technical analysis of how the population, labor force, and the demand for goods and services is likely to affect career and business opportunities, then you will want to read Tomorrow's Jobs.
   

5. The Career Guide to Industries is an outstanding source to learn about the business potential for occupations in different industries.  For example, if you checkout the construction industry, you will learn which construction jobs have the largest percentage of self-employed workers:
   
   
   The "Outlook" section is particularly valuable.  For example, you learn that nearly all construction occupations are expected to grow significantly in the next ten years, but some are not:
   

   "Employment of tile and marble setters; construction and building inspectors; and heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow faster than the industry average because their specialized services will be in greater demand. On the other hand, employment of carpet installers; construction laborers; floor sanders and finishers; insulation workers; paperhangers; plasters and stucco masons; and tapers are expected to grow more slowly than that of the construction industry as a whole because either their specialty is not as great demand or they are becoming more productive."

   As this quote shows, the Guide is not easy to read, but the information is valuable.   And, it is the most complete and accurate source available.  It is well worth your careful study.