Looking for career resources to find your career path, change your career, figure out your career interests or career goals, or maybe even find something to do during retirement? I’ve got you covered with a variety of resources to point you in the right direction.
BOOMERS & SENIORS/RESOURCES
Not ready to retire but not sure what type of work you’d like to do? Interested in exploring your work options as a retiree?
Don’t Retire, Rewire by Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners
– Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of work if you don’t want it to. This book provides tips on how to find meaningful and financially rewarding work during retirement.
Encore Career Handbook by Marci Alboher
– Learn how to focus your retirement years on an encore career that combines personal meaning, continued income, and social impact.
Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ by Kerry Hannon
– People over 50 have valuable skills, but often need guidance positioning themselves for late-career jobs, explains Hannon.
This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite
– Challenges outdated stereotypes about declining with age by author, activist, and TED speaker.
Encore Talent: Job and volunteer postings
Retirement Jobs.com Retired but not ready to stop working?
Workforce 50 : Job postings for boomers, seniors and 50+
CAREER ASSESSMENT TESTS
Career Quiz via the Australian Government
Happiness Tests via The University of Pennsylvania
How to Choose a Major -An article with advice about choosing a major by Zety
Learn How to Become-A visual resource with information about various careers.
MAPP-Free and paid versions of their career assessment.
My Next Move-Free career assessment tool.
My Skills/My Future via Career One Stop-Reviews your past jobs/skills and recommends related jobs.
PathwayU is an easy to use career assessment that connects you to real-time jobs based on your responses. You can purchase an individual career assessment test.
StrengthFinder-This is one of my favorite assessment tests. It won’t give you a list of jobs but it will help you understand who you are so that you know the kinds of tasks you may enjoy and the work environment where you may do well. I recommend this test for individuals who have some life experience or are trying to understand the reason they are not happy in their current job. This assessment test will give you the words to describe your strengths. Something that I’ve noticed is that very few people are able to identify their own strengths because they are so obvious to them. This test is incredibly helpful and validating to help you recognize your strengths.
Career Explorer Test by Sokanu – The Career Explorer test by Sokanu offers a free and a paid version of their career assessment test. It evaluates you on your workplace culture preferences, background including education and past work history as well as your interests and personality to offer suggested careers.
Traitify -Traifity is a career assessment test that first, gives you a personality test and, based on your personality results, recommends job titles that may be a good fit based on your results. You can also select your education level and/or the education level you plan to obtain. You can learn more about each career including the salary, job outlook, and how it matches your test results.
What Can I Do With A Major in… List of job titles related to college majors via MyPlan.com
CAREER BOOKS
Choosing Your Career by Dr. Janet Civitelli- 15 career experts share tips and strategies to find a career that is the best fit for you. This book is written by a well-know career coach and expert in the career services industry.
Do What You Are –Using your Myers Briggs personality type (MBTI), this books guides you to jobs that could be a good fit based on your personality type.
Hacking the Internship Process
I Could Do Anything if Only I Knew What it Was -Barbara Sher is a master career coach and her advice is timeless. This is a great book for anyone who is trying to figure out what to do for their career. All of her books are helpful and worth reading.
Lean-In This book is written by Sherly Sandberg who worked for Meta (Facebook) and is currently on their board. She is the founder of LeanIn.org and and is focused on supporting women as well as women leadership in the workplace.
Lean-In for Graduates-by Sheryl Sandberg
The Perfect Phrases books are an ideal resource to help you resolve problems in the the workplace. As the titles indicate, they give you phrases for difficult people, documenting employee performance problems, phrases to use when you are a manager or supervisor. Sample template phrases for motivating and rewarding employees as well as suggestions for how to set and communicate performance goals. If you are a new manager, or even if you are a seasoned manager, you may find these books helpful guides while working with difficult employees.
Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People
Perfect Phrases for Documenting Employee Performance Problems
Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors
Perfect Phrases for Performance Reviews
Perfect Phrases for Motivating and Rewarding Employees
Perfect Phrases for Setting Performance Goals
Power Ties is an excellent career resource book for international applicants seeking work in the U.S.
The Care and Feeding of Your Young Employee: A Manager’s Guide to Millennials & Gen Z
You Majored in What?! Katharine Brooks is another guru in the field of career services and has since taken over the What Color is Your Parachute? series. Her book, You Majored In What? contains helpful advice to job seekers who find themselves not sure how to use their majors in their career and/or wanting to pivot to a different career entirely.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Article-Aspiring Sr. Manager’s Guide to Writing a Career Development Plan via University of York
CAREER FAIRS
Attending career fairs, both online and in-person, can be a good way to find a job. Here are some of the benefits:
- Direct interaction with employers
- Access to multiple job opportunities
- Networking opportunities
- Real-time information
- Exposure to different industries
- Practice and improvement of communication skills
- Resume submission and applications
- Awareness of company culture
- Demonstration of proactivity
- Opportunities for internships and part-time work
Job Fairs: Virtual and in-person
CAREER RESEARCH
25 Highest Paying Careers via College Choice
Accounting Degrees in Texas via Accounting.com
Accounting Licensing Information and Networks via Accounting.com
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Careers in mental health via DrugRehab.com
* Additional resources through Career One Stop
Career One Stop Business Center-Find & hire talent.
Career One Stop Competency Model
Career One Stop Credentials-Research credentials & find training.
Career One Stop Disaster Recovery Services
Career One Stop Get My Future Resources to find career, training, college, etc.
Career One Stop Help for Ex-Offenders
Career One Stop My Skills My Future
Caregivers Jobs via InHome Care
Career Resources via the National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Fortune 500-List of the top 500 companies in the U.S.
Healthcare Admin Jobs via Discover Healthcare
Healthcare Admin Jobs via University HQ
How to Become via University HQ
How to Become a Medical Professional via EduMed
How to Become a Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree via Study.com
Online O*Net-Career match tests as well as industry trends & salaries.
RoadTrip Nation: Interviews with professionals in a wide range of industries.
She Can STEM: Information and stories about STEM professionals especially for young women
The Authentic Path’s Pinterest Board
Upskill Houston information about careers in construction, health science, petrochemical and transportation
COLLEGE RESOURCES
Online programs via Union Plus-not only for union members
Degrees (Difference between degree types and institutes’ rankings)
What is an associate’s degree? The Best Schools
What is a bachelor’s degree? The Best Schools
What is a master’s degree? The Best Schools
What is a doctorate degree? The Best Schools
Department of Education Scorecard
College Navigator Tools from The National Center of Educational Statistics
Find training resources through the Career One Stop
Resources for Career and Educational Information via Best Accredited Colleges.org
CONSULTING
Consulting Firms Directory via Management Consulted
DisABILITIES RESOURCES
At Work-Resources for employers and job applicants.
Business Programs and Resources for Entrepreneurs/Graduates with DisABILITIES via Rider University
Careers and Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities via EduMed
College Resources for students with DisABILITIES via College Choice
Disability Solutions job board.
Employment Resources via Fiscal Tiger
Financial aid for students with disabilities
Financial aid and resources for students with disabilities via Coupon Follow
Job Accommodation Network (JAN): From their website: Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for 40 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.
Maryville online university’s disabilities guide
Maryville online university/accreditation
Neurodiversity in Business -An organization focused on bringing understanding and support about neurodiversity to corporations.
Nursing Career Guide for People with Disabilities via Nursing Education.org
Resources for Students with DisABILITIES via EduBirdie
Resources for Students with DisABILITIES via Education USA/Dept. of State
Resource Guide for College Students with Disabilities
Speech Disorder Resources for College Students
Trade Schools for People with Learning Disabilities
The Complete Guide for Deaf & Hearing Impaired College Students via Hearing Health
U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Work from Home Space Design and Advice article via FreshHome
FREELANCING
Freelancing sites via Dollar Sprout
Guide to Freelancing via ZenBusiness
GAP YEAR
The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your Dream Gap Year Via Mint’s blog
GOVERNMENT JOBS
IMPORTANCE OF A FORMAL EDUCATION
Infographic about education and earnings via the Bureau of Labor Statistics
INTERNSHIPS
RippleMatch: Internships and jobs for college juniors, seniors and recent grads.
Sleep internships, Yes, it’s a thing!
Virtual Student Federal Service:8 month remote internships with the government.
INTERVIEWING
AARP Interviewing Video: Helpful, well done video for all ages
Article,Interviewing: Are you Making These Mistakes article via The Authentic Path. Fast Company interviewing video at bottom of page.
STAR Behavioral Interview method infographic
INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Akadeus -Jobs postings with business schools in the U.S. & abroad.
Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Professional Fellows Program
Club Med– International resort.
Dave’s ESL Café – Resources for individuals interested in teaching English overseas.
Disney China-Teach English with Disney.
Engage Education-Teaching jobs in the UK.
FacultyVacancies.com -International and domestic teaching jobs.
Interdisciplinoxy-Jobs with international business schools.
JET Programme-Teach English in Japan.
Jooble lists international opportunities.
ProFellows professional and academic fellowships both domestic and international
ProfessorPositions.com International and domestic faculty positions in Higher Ed.
ReliefWeb-NGO/non-profit international jobs
Short term work abroad through Nomad
Student Travel Programs: The Key to Making Travel Affordable via Million Mile Secrets
The Uni Jobs -Jobs in higher ed both in the U.S. and abroad.
WWOOF-Live, learn and work on an organic farm with room and board covered in the U.S. and abroad.
INTERNATIONAL JOB SEEKERS’ RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS NOT PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES
Book: Power Ties
Houston Chambers of Commerce and Greater Houston Area Chambers of Commerce-This can be a good way to leverage your language and cultural knowledge.
Degree Translation Services via The Texas Education Agency
JOB SEARCH
After College-Jobs and internships-input your graduation date and major for suggestions.
America’s Service Locator– Connects individuals to jobs & training in local, One Stop Career Centers.
Counselor jobs via HoustonLPC.com
FairyGodBoss– Jobs and companies reviewed for women.
FlexJobs– Legitimate telecommuting jobs.
GradReach-Recruiting company that specializes in helping recent college grads find work.
HBCU 20×20-Job and internship resources.
Indeed -Pulls from company websites based on your keywords.
Industry specific jobs-join your industry’s professional organization for additional job postings via Career One Stop.
Idealist-Jobs for people who want to make the world a better place.
RippleMatch-Jobs and internships for recent college grads as well as college juniors and seniors.
State job banks via Career One Stop.
The Ladders-$100K+ jobs.
Women for Hire-Jobs for women including work from home jobs.
Zippia Scroll down for jobs based on major, job or company
JOB SEARCH ORGANIZATION TOOLS
Great tool, and free, to follow-up and track your applications at Job Well
Various free printables to help you stay organized via Whitney English
LANGUAGE LEARNING RESOURCES
All languages
Pimsleur is a language program used by the State Department*
French
Best French Reading Resources for Beginners via French Beginner
18 French Newspapers that Will Make You a Better French Learner via French Together
LEADERSHIP
Article: How to be a Charismatic Leader via UCL School of Management
LGBTQIA+ RESOURCES
Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Report with list of LGBTQIA+ friendly companies
LBGTQIA+ Career Resources via SOACE
OUT and Equal-Job postings, webinars and conferences.
LinkedIn Examples: by LinkedIn
MOVING RESOURCES
Moving costs calculator via MoveBudda
Mover reviews and advice via Consumer Affairs
NETWORKING
Career One Stop Professional Association Finder
Professional Networking Resources
Eventbrite’s Business Networking Events
NBDA’s List of Networking Groups in Houston
Vocation Village’s List of Professional Associations in Houston
NON-PROFIT RESOURCES
National Non-Profits job board
10 non-profit job boards via Non-Profit Tech for Good
ONLINE COURSES
Blueprint crafting courses. Being creative spills into all areas of your life including your career.
Free online courses via Open Culture
STEM Courses via The Simple Dollar.
ONLINE EDUCATION
I have vetted the following resources as best I can. Please be sure to do your due diligence to make sure the education you are signing up for meets the accreditation standards required in your field.
Associate’s Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/associate/
Bachelor’s Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/bachelors/
Master’s Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/masters/
Doctoral Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/doctorate/
Guide to a Teaching Programs in Texas – https://www.teachingdegree.org
ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS
PROFESSIONAL ONLINE PORTFOLIO
AboutMe-Free and paid versions
Somebody.io This is a free website. Here is mine. I did not include projects which may be helpful to include depending on the type of work you are seeking.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS
This is an affiliate link which does not affect the price you pay but means I get a small commission for referring you to the site. I was SO impressed by the quality of my photos I had to share!!!! You upload your selfies, photos with just you in them, and let AI work its magic. I look like I had a make-up artist, hairstylist, and professional photographer. The images are clear, clean, and professional and yes, the picture on my website is from here!
RELOCATING
Bankrate’s Cost of Living Comparison
Consumer Affairs Moving companies and advice.
My Move-Resources for moving, cost of living and more.
Numbeo offers cost of living resources for the U.S. and abroad.
Relocating to Houston-Resources through the Greater Houston Partnership.
Salary.com Cost of Living Wizard
REMOTE JOBS
60 Best Remote Job Search Sites via Ryan Robinson
70 Ways to Make Money Online via Ryan Robinson
Communication Tools and Strategies for Remote Teams via AppDirect
Flex Jobs-List of 100 companies with remote jobs.
Remote jobs with Amazon
List of remote jobs via Small Revolution
RESUME TEMPLATES
Free resume templates via Hloom
Free resume templates via JobNexus
SALARY
Compare the cost of living in different cities Salary.com, Homefair , Best Places and at Bankrate
SEASONAL JOBS
SCHOLARSHIPS
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
Resource for small business grants via Lendedu and Bizit
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
Amazon sell handmade goods on Amazon
Etsy free courses on how to sell on Etsy
Small Business Administration (SBA)
SCORE live and recorded webinars
HubSpot free courses.
STUDENT LOANS
Non-profit advocating for fair practices for student loans Student Borrower Protection Center
Private student loan resources via U.S. News & World Reports
Student loan consolidation resources via U.S. News & World Reports
Teaching Resources
Learn about early education degrees and requirements for various states via Discover Early Childhood EDU
Lesson Plans for Teachers at Teacher.org
Streamline your grading with Gradescope
TRADE SCHOOLS
I have vetted the following resources as best I can. Please be sure to do your due diligence to make sure the education you are signing up for meets the accreditation standards required in your field.
Trade Schools via Best Trade Schools
TRAVEL JOBS
Travel as a therapist (occupational; LCSW; etc.) via Allied Travel Careers
VETS/MILITARY
Long list of resources for Vets including job search resources
Military skills translator through the VA
Military to civilian job translator
VOLUNTEER
WOMEN’S RESOURCES
FairyGodBoss: Companies and jobs reviewed for women
The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
WORKING VACATIONS
If you are a fitness teacher, Fit Bodies, Inc., will hire you for contract work at resorts
Perfect for frugal travelers who want to work-anything from milking goats to babysitting, etc.: Work Away