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: Construction covers the following 44 jobs:
- Architects
- Asbestos Abatement Technicians
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Cost Estimators
- Drafters
- Drywall Installers and Finishers
- Electricians
- Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Floor Covering Installers
- General Maintenance Mechanics
- Geologists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Glaziers
- Green Builders
- Heating and Cooling Technicians
- Insulators/Insulation Workers
- Landscape Architects
- Lathers
- Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Terrazzo Workers
- Millwrights
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Operating Engineers
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Plasterers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Real Estate Developers
- Roofers
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Stationary Engineers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Welders and Welding Technicians