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The best way to get information about a particular industry or job is by going right to the source - talking to someone who is already working in that industry or occupation. They will be able to give you a first-hand account of what it's like to work in a particular job or industry.
You'll get useful information that will help you make a more informed choice about possible career prospects. Someone who's already working in a job or industry will be able to fill you in about what kind of training is required and where you can get it. They may even have some tips that will help you find work.
If you don't know, or can't get in touch with, someone who can provide you with the details you need about a particular industry or occupation, there are other resources available:
- Browse the Internet or check out the Yellow Pages. There are all sorts of professional, business and labour associations that you can contact to find out more about a specific industry or occupation. These organizations may also publish information about the types of skills required, as well as wages, guidelines and standards.
- Locate copies of annual reports from various companies in an industry you're interested in (these can often be found online, or you can request them by contacting the company directly). Annual reports often have a variety of information about how a company's been doing, what's expected to happen, and the sort of jobs that are available.
- Visit a career, counselling, or employment centre at your school, at a college or university, or in your community. They typically have information about training and job prospects for specific occupations.
- Review books and information about careers and industries at your local library. Try the business section of your local bookstore too.
- Attend a Career Fair at your school or post-secondary institution.
- Attend an open house at a university, college, or other institution in your area.
- BC Stats, Statistics Canada, and public libraries have data about wages, hours, employment, GDP, and other information that will help you keep up-to-date about what's happening in BC's economy. Much of this information is available online.
- For program information on post-secondary education in BC go to the Education Planner website, www.educationplanner.ca. It contains a searchable database on undergraduate program availability, application dates, tuition costs, admission requirements, lengths, and much more at BC's public (and some private) post-secondary institutions.
- British Columbia Open University (BCOU) website at works closely with business, education, government and international organizations. BCOU can give you information about their programs and programs offered at other provincial colleges, universities and institutes. Their website is: http://www.tru.ca/distance/
- Many other resource materials contain information about career options, occupations, and job market trends in BC. These resources also identify other material which you may find useful. For more information go to Other Useful Resources.
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