Career Guidance for All Ages
A college degree will qualify you for more jobs. But first, you’ve got to figure out what your interests are. Use the resources below to consider some possible careers for you or your child; how to prepare in general for classes beyond high school; and what schools might be the best match for your chosen career.
Research Careers
- CareerOneStop - Start exploring career options by learning about jobs with good wages and a bright future.
- CareerShip - review careers by cluster; review a featured career; match careers to interests; or search for a particular career.
- Kids.gov - View Career information for Grades K-5 and Grades 6-8
- Kids' Career Pages - Find out what you might like - career information for K-12 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Texas Career Clusters - Use the OSCAR tool developed by Texas Workforce Commission to see Texas job details by career categories, and use other tools to identify a good job fit for your personality.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide to Industries, 2008-09 Edition - Learn about various occupations by industry, training and advancement, expected earnings, job prospects, working conditions and more.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition - Find out about the training and education needed for hundreds of different types of jobs, expected earnings, what workers do on the job and more.
- WorkinTexas.com - Find career tools and current Texas job offerings provided by Texas Workforce Commission.
- ASVAB Career Exploration Program
- Collegeboard.com’s Majors & Careers Central
- Federal Student Aid on the Web MyFSA account - Register for this tool and use the Career Finder to match your interests with promising careers.
- Military Careers
Prepare for College
- Consider College Now! - federal student aid guide to college for middle school students
- KnowHow2Go - tips for middle school and high school students on how to get ready for college
- CollegeforTexans.com - Make a Plan - view information for parents, high school and junior high students and counselors.
- Texas Academic Fresh Start Law - learn how to start college over after 10 or more years later without being held back by previous college grades.
- Yahoo!® Education Article: More Education, More Money!
Choose the Right School
- Texas Schools Info - from the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Compendium of Texas Colleges and Financial Aid Calendar:
- Texas Colleges and Universities - see admission requirements, tuition and budget summaries, available financial aid resources and application deadlines by school.
- CollegeforTexans.com - provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board:
- Texas College Match-Up - select what’s most important to you in a college and see what Texas schools match.
- College Costs (All Institutions) - access a cost breakdown of tuition, books and other cost of living expenses by school.
- College Navigator - link to nearly 7,000 colleges across the U.S., including two-year and trade schools. Learn about each type of school and how much it costs to attend.
- Certification Finder - Completing a certification may make you more attractive to employers. It may give you an edge in today's workplace. Use this online tool to find out more.
- Licensed Occupations - search for licenses by state, occupation or agency. The law may requries you to be licensed to work in a certain career. This tool provides the licensing rules and a link for more information.
- Registered Apprenticeship (provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration) - Work while you prepare yourself for a great career through apprenticeship training. You can combine on-the-job learning with classroom instruction and earn money for your college expenses.
Learn how to plan for higher education expenses