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Career Resource Guide

Download a PDF version.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) resources to set your career exploration in motion.

On this page:

How can BLS help me explore careers?

Whether you are gearing up to enter the workforce, exploring different career paths and options, or educating others on the world of work, BLS has the information to assist with your career journey! Those resources range from on job, pay, and employment data and publications to assist you in making better informed career decisions. We’re here to help!

BLS career tools

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, CareerInfo app, and Career Outlook are helpful tools for students, career counselors, jobseekers, and others.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is the government’s leading career resource about the job market. The OOH provides information that covers most jobs in the economy. It highlights key characteristics of occupations, such as job duties, work environment, wages, number of jobs, job outlook, and the education and training that jobseekers need.

Video: Using the Occupational Outlook Handbook for Your Career Search

Career Information App

The OOH CareerInfo app is available on Apple iOS and Android devices.

CareerInfo presents data and other details from the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), the most popular BLS resource for career information.

The CareerInfo app, like the OOH, helps you find information about employment, pay, job outlook, education and training, and more for hundreds of detailed occupations. You can browse by occupational groups and titles or search by occupation or keywords.

Career Outlook

This publication highlights occupations and industries in a variety of ways, including interviews with workers in unusual careers and charts showing expected employment change in industries. Career Outlook articles include information on employment projections, pay, typical education and training required, and more.

Career Outlook has four departments:

  • Feature articles present an in-depth look on a range of career topics.
  • You’re a what? explores unusual occupations through the work of someone in that occupation.
  • Interview with a… describes, in question and answer format, one worker’s career path.
  • Data on display is a graphic presentation of data on employment and other topics.

Career Outlook supplements the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

These are just a sample of featured articles that appeared in this publication:

Career materials for students

Classroom

The Classroom webpage is devoted to helping you discover valuable information about the economy and jobs that you can share with your students. Below are some of the K-12 resources geared towards learning about careers.

Career exploration

Students can explore careers based on their interests. They will learn about the education and skills necessary for various careers, as well as the pay, job outlook, work environment, and more!

Choosing a career

This classroom activity is designed to encourage your students to begin thinking about their future careers. This activity helps you to learn more about various occupations that may be of interest to you.

Periodic Table of STEM Occupations

For career seekers interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), this is a resource for you. Browse pay and employment data for various STEM careers.

Posters

Access free posters with information about occupation groups, such as protective service, media and arts, healthcare, and more!

Videos

Watch videos exploring different careers, including architect, dentist, and veterinarian.

O*NET career videos.

You’ve got questions? BLS has answers!

1. How much does a lawyer make?

Check out how much lawyers make across the United States: www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes231011.htm#st.

You can find information about pay for other jobs in other areas at www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm.

2. Will there be more jobs for nurses in 5 years?

For the job outlook in nursing, see for example, registered nurses: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-6.

3. I’m interested in the arts. What types of jobs should I explore?

You can find information about careers in the arts in the Career Outlook article, Careers for people who are creative.

4. I’m not sure about going to college. What options do I have?.

There are many options available to you. Explore various occupations in Career Outlook articles:

Also, for occupations requiring different educational levels read the article, High-wage occupations by typical entry-level education, 2017.

5. Whom do I contact for more career information?

Call us at 202-691-5200 or email us at blsdata_staff@bls.gov.

More career resources

Check out these other helpful websites.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop offers many useful resources to explore careers; find training and employment opportunities; develop career goals; help with resume writing, applications, and interviews; compare wages by metropolitan areas; and find your perfect job!

USAJOBS

Interested in working for the U.S. federal government? USAJOBS connects jobseekers with federal employment opportunities across the United States and around the world.

O*NET

In addition to detailed information for nearly 1,000 occupations, O*NET has assessment tools that help guide you towards careers that best fit your interests and skills.

My Next Move

My Next Move lists the fastest growing occupations according to your interests and gives information on the skills and training needed to perform the job.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are opportunities to gain paid work experience, work with a mentor, receive classroom instruction, and earn nationally recognized credentials.

Job Corps

Job Corps helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 complete their high school education, trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment.

State labor market information offices

State governments have organizations that provide information about jobs and pay.

Need more help?

For additional assistance, information, or copies of this material in a pamphlet form, please feel free to contact our information specialists:

Telephone: 202-691-5200
Email: blsdata_staff@bls.gov
Twitter: @BLS_gov