Professional organizations and associations are an excellent resource. These organizations can help you acquaint yourself with others in your chosen career field. Contacting people working in the field you are interested in gives you an idea what it's really like to work in this career. Professional groups often have mailing lists and newsletters or other publications that can alert you to important economic developments in your career field. Professional organizations can be a valuable resource for identifying companies that hire people in your career. Companies are often listed as sponsors of these organizations and target them with advertising.

There are many resources in your local library that can help you identify professional organizations and individuals in your targeted career area. Also, try using Google to research your career on the Internet. Below is a quick list of references.

• Job Hunter's Source Book
• Professional Careers Source Book
• Encyclopedia of Associations: Regional, State and Local Organizations

Other valuable resources are alumni associations. Your alumni association may have a nationwide network of volunteers representing employers and who have responded enthusiastically, indicating their willingness to discuss their jobs and work-related questions with individual students and alumni.