Reference books

There are a variety of books that list jobs and occupations. They may be purchased, borrowed at your local library, or read in the La Trobe University Careers Service.

One of the best places to start is the Job Guide, in which jobs are listed according to the interests they accomodate. This publication gives descriptions of hundreds of jobs along with the personal requirements, education and training required for entry into the occupation. The 'related jobs' section for each entry can also act as a useful springboard for widening the scope of your search.

Two of the better books are Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning by Paul Phifer and What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson-Bolles.

Another useful reference on occupations is the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO), produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It is available in most public and academic libraries. ASCO is useful because it lists job titles under a variety of categories, and therefore can suggest different occupations within any given field. Under “advertising”, for example, you’ll find a list of more than 20 associated job titles.

It is important not to be too critical or selective when searching for job titles. Your goal is to produce a list that is as long as possible.

In constructing your list, you will be learning about your personal interests and the value of your degree, which will also help you to make more informed career decisions.