Working World

The Department of Statistics is probably is not a site you visit regularly. Consider adding it to your list of places to browse, at least occasionally. For one thing, there is a ton of frequently updated information, including statistics you hear in the news but might not understand. Just what is the consumer price index? How do they calculate it?

Two publications that feature prominently on the site and that can be read online are the Career Guide to Industries (CGI) and the companion Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). Both are chock full of useful information for job-seekers and people planning to further their careers.

For hundreds of different kinds of jobs, look at the OOH. You will find an entry for the training and education needed, as well as for earnings and job prospects. There are descriptions, too, of what workers do and what conditions to expect. Look in the CGI for information on dozens of different industries, including broad areas like educational services or healthcare. You will find the same OOH categories, but the department organizes the CGI from an industry point of view rather than indexing specific occupational entries.

Both books are nationally recognized sources of career information and revised every two years. The Department of Labor site also has multiple links to useful sources for anyone interested in any aspect of employment.