For Your Career

Check Out the Head Hunters
When you are out looking for that perfect job, you will run into many companies that offer job hunting assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) often receives complaint letters about job counseling and placement services which charge large fees and misrepresent their services. They publish two free publications: Job Ads, Job Scams, which explains things you need to look out for, and Job Hunting: Should You Pay, which explains about head hunter services and things you need to consider before you sign on. Contact: Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 6th and Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580; 202-326-2222.

Landing an Excellent Job
Tap the government for tips on finding the best work opportunities. Tips For Finding The Right Job helps you to evaluate your interests and skills, and provides information on resumes, application letters, job interviews, and more. For your free copy contact: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room N4700, Washington, DC 20210, 202-219-6871.

Check It Out
Want to check out the possibilities before you commit yourself to a four year degree? The Office of Museum Programs has put together Internship Opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution ($5), which is a comprehensive guide to 40 museums and offices at the Smithsonian that offer internships. Although the programs described are directed at the college level and above, this book gives valuable information about museum careers and provides details on the rich variety of research and museum functions at the Smithsonian, which may be of interest to high school students. Contact: Center for Museum Studies, 900 Jefferson Drive, SW, Room 2235, Washington, DC 20560; 202-357-3103.

Get The Scoop on Dirt
Does a career in archeology or anthropology interest you? Are you a teacher and want to learn more? Summer Fieldwork Opportunities is a free survey of opportunities for teachers and students aged 16 and above to participate in summer fieldwork. Contact: Anthropology Outreach and Public Information Office, National Museum of Natural History, MRC 112, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560; 202-357-1592.

Weigh Yourself on the Salary Scale
If you've got the itch to pull up stakes, know your worth wherever you're going by contacting the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They publish the Occupational Compensation Surveys which contain information on jobs and salary wages and occupation hourly wage for different cities across the country. For a copy of a survey contact: Division of Occupational Pay and Employee Benefit Level, Office of Compensation and Working Conditions, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Postal Square Bldg., Room 4160, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20212, 202-606-6220.

Is Jacques Cousteau Your Idol?
Thinking about a career in oceanography? The Department of Vertebrate Zoology has a free bibliography and listing of sources entitled Careers in Biology, Conservation, and Oceanography which can help you learn about the various fields you are considering. Contact: National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Room 369, MRC 109, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560; 202-357-2740.

Turn Off the Weather Channel
Think you can do better than the weather man? Study hard and a career could be in the making. You can learn a great deal about the weather from the National Weather Service. They have free publications covering every weather condition imaginable from floods to tornadoes. Some of the freebies include: Hurricane Tracking Chart Spotter's Guide for Identifying and Reporting Severe Local Storms Hurricane! A Familiarization Booklet Advanced Spotter's Field Guide Mariner's Guide to Marine Weather Services Key to Manual Weather Observations and Forecasts Flash Floods and Floods...The Awesome Power! For information about the publications and more contact Office of Public Affairs, National Weather Service, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 301-713-0622.

Solar Power
A career in an efficient energy field might be just what you need. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse has free publications which deal with a variety of renewable energies technologies. They have Educational Materials for Teachers and Students: High School, and one for those in college. These should provide enough information to get you started in your studies. For these publications and more, contact: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116; 800-363-3732.

Your Job Magazine
Want to figure out what's happening on the career front? Get a subscription for only $9.50 for the Occupational Outlook Quarterly which covers such topics as job training, internships, profiles of workers, and matching personal and job characteristics. There is also information on how to get a Federal job and the occupational projections to the year 2005. For your subscription contact: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Publication Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, IL 60690; 312-353-1880.

Put Your Mouth to Work
Has your mouth gotten you into some trouble or does it make you the hit of parties? You could be a natural for a job as a D.J. Most disc jockeys need to be licensed, so get a licensing application packet from the Federal Communications Commission. Contact: Federal Communications Commission, 1919 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20554; 800-418-3676.

Check Out the Options
Don't waste four years of college to get a degree that won't get you a job. Check out the job market through a series of Bureau of Labor Statistics publications titled Occupational Outlook Handbook reprints. The series is broken down into various occupational groupings, and outlines degrees needed, job availability forecast, and even what area of the country the demand for you will be higher. There are 20 different reprints which include: Tomorrow's Jobs: Overview ($1.25) Business and Managerial Occupations ($2.75) Computer and Mathematics-Related Occupations ($2.00) Health Technologists and Techniques ($1.50) Clerical and Other Administrative Support Occupations ($1.50) Sales Occupations ($1.50) Engineering, Scientific, and Related Occupations ($1.75) You can order your reprint (or a complete set for $24) from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Publication Sales Center, P.O. 2145, Chicago, IL 60690; 312-353-1880.

Free Instructions
The Mine Safety and Health Administration is responsible for the safety and health of our mines, and has a Catalog of Training Programs For the Mining Industry, which contains free instructional programs. Although these programs focus on mining, they are not exclusive to this field. Some of the programs include: Cement: On-The-Job Training Modules First Aid Book Mining Accident Prevention Underground Coal: On-The-Job Training Modules For a copy of your free catalog contact: Office of Information and Public Affairs, Mine Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 4015 Wilson Blvd., Room 601, Arlington, VA 22203; 703-235-1452.

Co-op with the Experts
The Peace Corps offers a Cooperative Education Program which is designed to give students paid work experience in their academic field of study. Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis in their schools Cooperative Education Program. In addition, they must be working towards a degree, whether it be high school, undergraduate, graduate or professional. For more specific information, contact: Office of Human Resource Management, Peace Corps, 1990 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20526; 202-606-8036.

Don't Be Tied to a Desk
If the outdoors is where you want to be, then look into a profession where hiking boots are part of the uniform. "A Challenge And An Adventure" is a free loan video that describes the various kinds of work the Fish and Wildlife Service is involved in. This could be the key to your future. To borrow a copy contact your regional office, or you may contact the Office of Public Affairs for information regarding the Office nearest you: Office of Public Affairs, Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington DC 20240; 202-208-5611.

Fly Right
Thinking of a career in aviation? For every one pilot, there are 1500 other aviation professionals supporting aviation operations on the ground. To help you learn more about the aviation field, the Federal Aviation Administration has several publications which outline the various careers, technical requirements, and educational backgrounds. Some of the titles include: Aviation Career Series: The Sky's The Limit ($6.50) Transportation Education Directory, College Level ($5) Guide to Aviation Education Resources ($2) To order, contact Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; 202-512-1800. These documents are also available free on the Internet. Connect to FEDIX at http://web.fio.com/.

Reach for the Stars
No need to stay on the ground when the sky is the limit. Careers in Aerospace can give you an idea of the choices and options you have if you always dream of the stars. For your free copy contact: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Publication Center, Code FE-02, Washington, DC 20546; 202-554-4380.

Work for the CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) offers four different Student Programs. Each program has specific qualifications and benefits, and gives practical hands-on experience and work in a field that pertains to the students area of study such as: graphic design, languages, economics, printing/photography and more. The programs are as follows: Undergraduate Scholar Program - offers graduating high school students, especially minorities and individuals with disabilities who have a financial need for tuition assistance, the opportunity to work in a challenging position every summer through college. Minority Undergraduate Studies Program - provides students the opportunity to gain good work experience during the summer while making a competitive salary. Employment starts the summer of the student's sophomore year. Undergraduate Student Trainee Program - gives practical experience in combination with academic studies. Individuals will also receive a competitive salary, as part of the program work is alternated with school on a semester or quarter basis. Graduate Studies Program - available to students entering their first or second year of graduate school, students are given the opportunity to work at the professional level and receive a competitive salary. Usually internships are in the summer, but some are available other times. For more information on the various programs contact: Central Intelligence Agency Personnel Representative, P.O. Box 12727, Arlington, VA 22209-8727; 800-336-2163.

Volunteer
The Volunteer Service Program offers unpaid work experience to students who are in high school or college. You will get academic credit for the work that you perform. Most students will be involved in professional projects and activities. The projects could involve research on environmental concerns or congressional issues. Most students work three to four months during the school year or the summer. You must contact the Federal Agency you would like to work with directly. For additional information on the program, contact the personnel office at the Federal agency or department for which you wish to work (look in the blue pages of your phone book under "Federal Government"). You may also contact: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Washington Area Service Center, 1900 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20415; 202-606-3283.

Gone Fishin'
The Fish and Wildlife Service has a Student Career Experience Program that is available in Washington as well as in the different regions. The program is very competitive but gives students the opportunity to get paid while working and learning. Students can be undergraduate or graduate and are assigned based on their academic studies or career goals. Positions can be administrative or technical depending on your expertise and availability within the Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chief Office of Human Resources, 1849 C St., NW, Room 3058, Washington, DC 20240; 703-358-2567.

For Some Direction
Career decision making and career change are affecting more and more people as the job market seems to be changing. The ERIC Clearinghouse for Adult, Career, and Vocational Education covers all areas of career and vocational/technical education from basic literacy training through professional skill upgrading. Although they cannot tell you what career is best for you, they can provide you with a series of free ERIC Digests to help you look at the job market in a variety of ways. Some of the titles they have include: Job Search Methods Adults in Career Transition Jobs In the Future Locating Job Information For your copies or for more information available from the Clearinghouse contact: ERIC Clearinghouse for Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, The Ohio State University, 1900 Kenny Rd., Columbus, OH 43210; 800-848-4815.

Bank On It
The world of high finance may be for you. The Export Import Bank (EXIM Bank) has opportunities for college students to get valuable experience working in an international banking atmosphere. The Bank has Student Volunteer Internship Programs which are offered throughout the year. The student is assigned a mentor and either analyzes data or works on special projects. For more information contact: Director of Human Resources, Export Import Bank of the United States, Suite 1005, 811 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20571; 202-565-3300.

Astronaut Training
If you always wanted to be an astronaut, then this book is for you. Astronaut Selection and Training gives a basic overview of the requirements, steps and stages one must complete before becoming an astronaut. Historical information is supplied as well. Free from: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Educational Publications, Code FE-02, Washington, DC 20546; 202-554-4380.

Defense Work
The U.S. Department of Defense offers two different programs through the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Security clearance is needed in order to work for the Defense Department and can take four to six months, so apply early. These programs are: Salaried Internships - available through the Washington Headquarters Services which fills the personnel needs of OSD. The positions are usually announced in December by the Office of Personnel Management (202-632-7484). Unsalaried Internships - available throughout the year based on the needs of OSD. For more information write: Personnel and Security Directorate, Assistance Director for Employee Career Development and Training Division, U.S. Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20231; 703-607-3422.

A Matter of National Security
The National Security Agency (NSA) has a Cooperative Education Program that gives students responsibility right from the start. The Co-op Program is based on a series of semester-long "work tours". They are planned, supervised experiences with increased responsibilities each time. The projects will also be different each tour which gives you the opportunity to try new things. The four main disciplines are: electrical or computer engineering, computer science, languages, and mathematics. For more information contact: National Security Agency, Attention M322 Co-op (FAE), Fort Meade, MD 20755-6000; 800-962-9398.

$3,000 to Design a Stamp
If you are an artist and think you might have a great idea for a postage stamp, the U.S. Postal Service might pay you to design one-$3,000 for a single stamp. First you will need to have your work reviewed by their staff, and if they like your stuff, they might hire you as a freelancer to do a stamp. Contact: Stamp Marketing Division, Office of Philatelic and Retail Services, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, Room 4461-E, Washington, DC 20260-6810; 202-268-7700.

Practice MBA
Get a step ahead of other business students. The Financial Management Service of the U.S. Department of the Treasury offers the Cooperative Education Program. The type of positions available are in the areas of computer systems, finance, business administration, and accounting with students being assigned based on their major. In addition to getting good experience you will receive a competitive salary. For more information write: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service, Cooperative Education Coordinator, 401 Fourteenth St., SW, Washington, DC 20227; 202-874-7090.

Energy Education
Education has always been an important part of the U.S. Department of Energy's mission. The Office of University and Science Education Programs coordinates education programs within the U.S. Department of Energy. The free Education Programs Catalog details U.S. Department of Energy programs at the pre-college, undergraduate, graduate and general public level. It also contains a list of the National Laboratories run by or affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy and the education programs they sponsor. For your free copy contact: Office of Energy Research, Office of University and Science Education Programs, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Room 3F-077, Washington, DC 20585; 202-586-5447.

Stay In School
The Student Educational Employment Program is designed to provide Federal employment for financially needy students that attend high school or a post-secondary institution. Every effort is made to assign students to positions that are career related or of interest to the full-time student. Students work part-time during school and/or full-time during the summer. Salary is based on work experience and education. To get additional information and qualifications contact the Federal agency employment office where you are interested in working, or: U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Washington Area Service Center, 1900 E St., NW, Washington, DC 20415; 202-606-3283.

Join the Team
Be a mover and a shaker. The Presidential Management Internship Program (PMI) is an entry level career development and training program designed to attract outstanding men and women to careers in public service. If chosen to be a PMI, one would be a part of a very challenging two year program. You will participate in training conferences, seminars, and Congressional briefings, and will have the opportunity to learn at an accelerated pace and sharpen your management and leadership skills. PMIs are rotated to different Federal Agencies to get addition experience. Opportunities are also available in regions outside of Washington. Contact: Office of Personnel Management, Philadelphia Service Center, William J. Green Federal Bldg., 600 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106; 215-597-7136.

Energize
The U.S. Department of Energy offers the Cooperative Education Program in many of its different agencies and administrations. The student will be given the opportunity to work in their area of expertise, which are usually in engineering, sciences, and business. In the area of business, a co-op would be doing accounting, finance, or general business. Another possibility would be in the area of science, where a co-op would be doing computer work or physics. For more information contact: U.S. Department of Energy, Special Employment Programs Team, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Room 4H080, Washington, DC 20585; 202-586-8562.

20 Occupations Most Desired by Feds
Looking for a job, but can't seem to find anything? The Bureau of Labor Statistics has a free report entitled, Wroking for US in the 1990s, from the summer of 1993 on the twenty occupations most often hired by the federal government. If yours happens to be one of those, maybe it's time for you to think of working for Uncle Sam. Contact: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20212; 202-606-7828.

Women Doing the Jobs of Men
It's no longer necessary for women to settle for low paying, dead end jobs at fast food restaurants and offices. More and more, women are landing good paying jobs in what used to be traditionally only male jobs; carpenters, electricians, masons, plumbers, auto mechanics, welders, and so on. The free Directory of Non-Traditional Training and Employment Programs Serving Women outlines many of the free training programs all across the country for women interested in landing these "male" jobs. Contact: Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210-9990; 202-219-6653.

Free Job Training for Teens
You don't have to pay to go to an expensive trade school to learn how to become a welder, mechanic, nurses aide, or even a draftsman. If you're a low-income teen, you may qualify for free training through the Job Corps. There's even help getting your GED. You can find out what Job Corps programs are available in your area and elsewhere. Free publications include: Job Corps in Brief, Train for Your Future, and Job Corps: A Chance To Make It. Contact: Office of Job Corps, U.S. Department of Laor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room N4510, Washington, DC 20210; 800-733-JOBS.