Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance

December 15, 2007
These five volumes contain more than 700 revised and updated articles (some 35 of them new) on careers in nearly 100 industries. Each three- to five-page entry provides a concise and engaging profile of fields like accounting, animal care, computers, the environment, publishing, sales, and the visual arts. Included in each job entry are an overview, a history, a description, requirements, employers, advancement, earnings, work environment, outlook, and more. Additionally, the set lists 2500-plus web sites for seeking further information and contains approximately 550 black-and-white photographs (some 100 of them new); 220 sidebars with industry facts, trends, and words to know; 320 on-the-job interviews; and extensive indexes and appendixes. Volume 1 provides authoritative career guidance on everything from preparing for your career to keeping a job. Of special value is the coverage of salary information, personnel management, and employment laws. The appendixes list internships and training programs as well as numerous resources for individuals with disabilities. BOTTOM LINE Whether for new or experienced job seekers, those exploring alternative careers, or those making career transitions, this comprehensive and indispensable career resource provides a fascinating view of the world of work. With prominent treatment of both the fastest-growing careers and those experts predict will add the most positions through 2014, this edition is highly recommended for high school, public, and academic libraries.Kathleen A. Welton, Chicago

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2008
Gr 7 Up-This latest edition of a source that has been in print for more than 30 years provides a comprehensive overview of a vast array of occupations. There is also information on preparing résumés, what to expect in an interview, salary negotiation, and employees rights. Coverage ranges from high-tech careers to the cosmetology and maintenance fields. Jobs that require advanced degrees or occupational certificates, and others that require no degree or prior training are included. Each entry has background information on the job; its structure, its outlook, and a directory of related organizations. For example, Airlines outlines the history of the field; the division of the industry into commercial, general, and military; and job prospects, and provides contact information for organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration. Additionally, each entry includes definitions of relevant terms. Black-and-white photographs throughout illustrate the nature of the work. Because its entries are quite general, this set is a great place to start a career search, and it will complement more detailed works such as those in the Occupational Outlook Handbook series (U.S. Department of Labor)."Carol Jones Collins, Columbia High School, Maplewood, NJ"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2008
This latest edition of a classic referencethe previous edition is from 2005adds, according to promotional material, more than 35 new career articles and revises and updates more than 700 career articles. There are only 26 pages more than in the thirteenth edition, reflecting also the loss (or incorporating within other headings) of many career articles, including those on adventure travel specialists, biotechnology patent lawyers, shoe industry workers, sports facility designers, and toy and game designers. New articles include Airport security personnel, Aviation safety inspectors, Comic book writers, Copy editors, Corporate librarians, Steel industry workers, and Video game producers. There are also, according to promotional material, more than 320 on-the-job interviews, 220 sidebars, 2,500 Web sites for further information, and some 550 photographs (more than 100 new to this edition). Revision and updating of existing articles appears to involve mainly statistical and contact information. Volume 1 provides career guidance and overviews of more than 90 industries, while volumes 2 through 4 contain more than 700 alphabetically arranged career articles. Career guidance includes topics such as assessment tests, job fairs, r'sum's, cover letters, interviewing, and employment laws. Industry profiles include accounting, chemicals, education, information services, law, pharmaceuticals, sports, and transportation. Each volume has a cumulative job-title index, with main entries in bold. The index reveals that many thousands of additional job titles are mentioned or discussed within articles. The typical career article includes these sections: overview, history, the job, requirements, exploring, employers, starting out, advancement, earnings, work environment, outlook, and for more information. Highly recommended for secondary-school, public, and academic libraries. Fergusons Career Guidance Center http: //www.factsonfile.com incorporates Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance as well as many other Ferguson career resources in a Web-based format and would be especially useful to schools and libraries anticipating multiple simultaneous users. Craig Bunch(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)