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Where can I get real good career advice?

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Irvineguy

MIS
Feb 7, 2006
191
US
In college we had career counselors, but now that we're in the real world. Where can I go to seek guidance? Besides forums and books. Are there any professional services that provide career counseling?
 
Plenty of them!

For one, your boss can act as your career counselor.

You can hire one by opening the phone book. Check under Counseling/Career Counseling

If you are contracted you can always ask your recruiter for guidence too.
 
Thanks, I'll check these options out. Not sure if my boss would appreciate me telling him I'm thinking of going into a different field heh heh..
 
washingtonpost.com has lots of good information, especially if you read the archives.

Thinking back to when I was looking for work, the washingtonpost.com was the best single source, but most major universities have advice (in the form of FAQs) online as well.

There is a tremendous amount of information out there. If you have anything specific let me know and I'll see if I didn't bookmark anything useful.

From personal experience, unless you're looking at a high-up level, professional expereince isn't going to be much help unless you're on the low end of the totem pole, if you are on the upper-end you probably would be more effective researching on your own.

The best help when looking for jobs though is contacts. Almost nothing replaces knowing the right person at the right time.

***************************************
Have a problem with my spelling or grammar? Please refer all complaints to my English teacher:
Ralphy "Me fail English? That's unpossible." Wiggum
 
Your local Army recruiter will be glad to talk to you!
 
You might want to check out a book called What Color is Your Parachute

Questions about posting. See faq183-874
 
carp:

Don't sell the Army short. I served for four years until mounting line of duty injuries forced me out. Now I have displayed leadership under fire, professionalism, and I have a security clearance.

It was quite possibly one of the best decisions I ever made.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
It is easier for an intellegent person to "play dumb" than for an unintellegent person to "play smart". - gbaughma
 
SaishuHeiki -
Don't misunderstand me! I retired after twenty years' service.
 
Shameless Plus:

There is always my blog: Notes From The Toolshed

And my book: The IT Career Builder's Toolkit

Additionally, if you read prior posts on this forum - from myself and others, you will likely find great advice.

Finally, I am a huge believer in identifying mentors. I've written on this topic frequently. A mentor should press you a bit - encourage but also not allow you to moan and complain. Not necessarily an older individual but one with relevent experience and the ability to synthesize your situation and ask questions that prompt you forward.

Typically, your close friends are not true mentors because a mentor is not afraid to call you out when you are being whiny, complaining, being stupid, etc. They expect and encourage real growth.

Good luck!

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro
 
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