Summary
Ferguson's Careers in Focus books are a valuable career exploration tool for libraries and career centers. Written in an easy-to-understand yet informative style, this series surveys a wide array of commonly held jobs and is arranged into volumes organized by specific industries and interests. Each of these informative books is loaded with up-to-date career information presented in a featured industry article and a selection of detailed professions articles. The information here has been researched, vetted, and analyzed by Ferguson's editors, drawing from government and industry sources, professional groups, news reports, career and job-search resources, and a variety of other sources. For readers making career choices, these books offer a wealth of helpful information and resources.
Each profession article includes:
- Quick Facts: a snapshot of important job facts
- Overview: briefly introduces duties and responsibilities
- History: describes the origins and history of the job
- The Job: describes primary and secondary goals and duties
- Earnings: discusses salary ranges and typical fringe benefits
- Work Environment: looks at typical work conditions and surroundings associated with the job
- Exploring: offers suggestions on how to gain experience and knowledge about—or even test drive—a career before making a commitment
- Education and Training Requirements: discusses required high school and post-secondary education and training
- Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements: explains recommended and required certifications or prerequisites for the job
- Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits: summarizes the personal traits and skills and professional experience needed to get started and succeed
- Employer Prospects: gives an overview of typical places of employment and the best ways to land a job
- Advancement Prospects: presents an expected career path and how to travel it
- Outlook: summarizes the job's potential growth or decline in terms of the general economy and industry projections
- Unions and Associations: lists essential and helpful professional groups
- Tips for Entry: additional tips for preparing for a career and getting a foot in the door
- For More Information: lists organizations that provide career information, networking, and professional development
- Sidebars: short features showcasing stats, trivia, and insight about a profession or industry
Careers in Focus: Government, Second Edition covers the following 41 jobs:
- Ambassadors
- Aviation Safety Inspectors
- Bailiffs
- Bank Examiners
- Border Patrol Agents
- Campaign Workers
- City Managers
- Civil Engineers
- Congressional Aides
- Construction Inspectors
- Cryptographic Technicians
- Customs Officials
- Demographers
- Deputy U.S. Marshals
- Economists
- EPA Special Agents
- FBI Agents
- Federal and State Officials
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Foreign Service Officers
- Fraud Examiners, Investigators, and Analysts
- Futurists
- Health and Regulatory Inspectors
- Intelligence Officers
- Interpreters
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Lobbyists
- Military Recruiters
- Military Workers, Enlisted
- National Park Service Employees
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Park Rangers
- Policy Analysts
- Political Scientists
- Press Secretaries and Political Consultants
- Recycling Coordinators
- Regional and Local Officials
- Secret Service Special Agents
- Traffic Engineers
- Translators
- Urban and Regional Planners