Helen Godfrey, MA, NCC, BCC, LPC

Career & Life Coach; Licensed Professional Counselor in Houston, Texas

The Ultimate DIY Career Resource Toolkit for All Stages of Your Career

Looking for career resources to find your career path, change your career, figure out your career interests or career goals, or maybe even find something to do during retirement?  I’ve got you covered with a variety of resources to point you in the right direction.

BOOMERS & SENIORS/RESOURCES

Not ready to retire but not sure what type of work you’d like to do? Interested in exploring your work options as a retiree?

Don’t Retire, Rewire by Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners
– Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of work if you don’t want it to. This book provides tips on how to find meaningful and financially rewarding work during retirement.

Encore Career Handbook by Marci Alboher
– Learn how to focus your retirement years on an encore career that combines personal meaning, continued income, and social impact.

Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ by Kerry Hannon
– People over 50 have valuable skills, but often need guidance positioning themselves for late-career jobs, explains Hannon.

This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite

– Challenges outdated stereotypes about declining with age by author, activist, and TED speaker.

Encore Talent: Job and volunteer postings

Retirement Jobs.com   Retired but not ready to stop working?

Workforce 50 : Job postings for boomers, seniors and 50+

CAREER ASSESSMENT TESTS

Career Quiz via the Australian Government

Happiness Tests via The University of Pennsylvania

How to Choose a Major -An article with advice about choosing a major by Zety

Learn How to Become-A visual resource with information about various careers.

MAPP-Free and paid versions of their career assessment.

My Next Move-Free career assessment tool.

My Skills/My Future via Career One Stop-Reviews your past jobs/skills and recommends related jobs.

PathwayU is an easy to use career assessment that connects you to real-time jobs based on your responses. You can purchase an individual career assessment test.

StrengthFinder-This is one of my favorite assessment tests. It won’t give you a list of jobs but it will help you understand who you are so that you know the kinds of tasks you may enjoy and the work environment where you may do well. I recommend this test for individuals who have some life experience or are trying to understand the reason they are not happy in their current job. This assessment test will give you the words to describe your strengths. Something that I’ve noticed is that very few people are able to identify their own strengths because they are so obvious to them. This test is incredibly helpful and validating to help you recognize your strengths.

Career Explorer Test by Sokanu – The Career Explorer test by Sokanu offers a free and a paid version of their career assessment test. It evaluates you on your workplace culture preferences, background including education and past work history as well as your interests and personality to offer suggested careers.

Traitify -Traifity is a career assessment test that first, gives you a personality test and, based on your personality results, recommends job titles that may be a good fit based on your results. You can also select your education level and/or the education level you plan to obtain. You can learn more about each career including the salary, job outlook, and how it matches your test results.

What Can I Do With A Major in… List of job titles related to college majors via MyPlan.com

CAREER BOOKS

Ask for It

Choosing Your Career by Dr. Janet Civitelli- 15 career experts share tips and strategies to find a career that is the best fit for you. This book is written by a well-know career coach and expert in the career services industry.

Designing Your Life

Do What You Are –Using your Myers Briggs personality type (MBTI), this books guides you to jobs that could be a good fit based on your personality type.

Getting Your Dream Job

Hacking the Internship Process

I Could Do Anything if Only I Knew What it Was -Barbara Sher is a master career coach and her advice is timeless. This is a great book for anyone who is trying to figure out what to do for their career. All of her books are helpful and worth reading.

Lean-In This book is written by Sherly Sandberg who worked for Meta (Facebook) and is currently on their board. She is the founder of LeanIn.org and  and is focused on supporting women as well as women leadership in the workplace.

Lean-In for Graduates-by Sheryl Sandberg

Pathfinder

The Perfect Phrases books are an ideal resource to help you resolve problems in the the workplace. As the titles indicate, they give you phrases for difficult people, documenting employee performance problems, phrases to use when you are a manager or supervisor. Sample template phrases for motivating and rewarding employees as well as suggestions for how to set and communicate performance goals. If you are a new manager, or even if you are a seasoned manager, you may find these books helpful guides while working with difficult employees.

Perfect Phrases for Dealing with Difficult People

Perfect Phrases for Documenting Employee Performance Problems

Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors

Perfect Phrases for Performance Reviews

Perfect Phrases for Motivating and Rewarding Employees

Perfect Phrases for Setting Performance Goals

Power Ties is an excellent career resource book for international applicants seeking work in the U.S.

The Care and Feeding of Your Young Employee: A Manager’s Guide to Millennials & Gen Z

You Majored in What?! Katharine Brooks is another guru in the field of career services and has since taken over the What Color is Your Parachute? series. Her book, You Majored In What? contains helpful advice to job seekers who find themselves not sure how to use their majors in their career and/or wanting to pivot to a different career entirely.

What Color is Your Parachute?

Wishcraft

CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Article-Aspiring Sr. Manager’s Guide to Writing a Career Development Plan via University of York

CAREER FAIRS

Attending career fairs, both online and in-person, can be a good way to find a job. Here are some of the benefits:

  • Direct interaction with employers
  • Access to multiple job opportunities
  • Networking opportunities
  • Real-time information
  •  Exposure to different industries
  • Practice and improvement of communication skills
  •  Resume submission and applications
  •  Awareness of company culture
  • Demonstration of proactivity
  • Opportunities for internships and part-time work

Best Hire Career Fairs

Diversity Career Group

Diversity Jobs

Hire Live

Job Fairs: Virtual and in-person

Job Fair X

National Career Fairs

Recruit Military

CAREER RESEARCH

25 Highest Paying Careers via College Choice

Accounting Degrees in Texas via Accounting.com

Accounting Licensing Information and Networks via Accounting.com

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Careers in mental health via DrugRehab.com

Career One Stop

* Additional resources through Career One Stop

Career One Stop Videos

Career One Stop Business Center-Find & hire talent.

Career One Stop Competency Model

Career One Stop Credentials-Research credentials & find training.

Career One Stop Disaster Recovery Services

Career One Stop Get My Future Resources to find career, training, college, etc.

Career One Stop Green Careers

Career One Stop Help for Ex-Offenders

Career One Stop My Skills My Future

Caregivers Jobs via InHome Care

Career Resources via the National Career Development Association (NCDA)

Fortune 500-List of the top 500 companies in the U.S.

Healthcare Admin Jobs via Discover Healthcare

Healthcare Admin Jobs via University HQ

How to Become via University HQ

How to Become a Medical Professional via EduMed

How to Become a Teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree via Study.com

Online O*Net-Career match tests as well as industry trends & salaries.

RoadTrip Nation: Interviews with professionals in a wide range of industries.

She Can STEM: Information and stories about STEM professionals especially for young women

The Authentic Path’s Pinterest Board

Upskill Houston information about careers in construction, health science, petrochemical and transportation

COLLEGE RESOURCES

Degrees (Difference between degree types and institutes’ rankings)

What is an associate’s degree? The Best Schools

What is a bachelor’s degree? The Best Schools

What is a master’s degree? The Best Schools

What is a doctorate degree? The Best Schools

Department of Education Scorecard

College Navigator Tools from The National Center of Educational Statistics

Find training resources through the Career One Stop

Resources for Career and Educational Information via Best Accredited Colleges.org

U.S. Department of Education

CONSULTING

Consulting Firms Directory via Management Consulted

DisABILITIES RESOURCES

Affordable Colleges

At Work-Resources for employers and job applicants.

Business Programs and Resources for Entrepreneurs/Graduates with DisABILITIES via Rider University

Careers and Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities via EduMed

College Resources for students with DisABILITIES via College Choice

Disability Solutions job board.

Employment Resources via Fiscal Tiger

Financial aid for students with disabilities

Financial aid and resources for students with disabilities via Coupon Follow

Job Accommodation Network (JAN): From their website: Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues. Serving customers across the United States and around the world for 40 years, JAN provides free one-on-one practical guidance and technical assistance on job accommodation solutions, Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related legislation, and self-employment and entrepreneurship options for people with disabilities.

Maryville online university’s disabilities guide

Maryville online university/accreditation

Neurodiversity in Business -An organization focused on bringing understanding and support about neurodiversity to corporations.

Nursing Career Guide for People with Disabilities via Nursing Education.org

Resources for Students with DisABILITIES via EduBirdie

Resources for Students with DisABILITIES via Education USA/Dept. of State

Resource Guide for College Students with Disabilities

Speech Disorder Resources for College Students

Trade Schools for People with Learning Disabilities

The Complete Guide for Deaf & Hearing Impaired College Students via Hearing Health

Understanding the ADA

U.S. Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Vocational schools

Work from Home Space Design and Advice article via FreshHome

FREELANCING

99 Designs

Airtasker

Care.com

Fiverr.com

Freelancing sites via Dollar Sprout

Guide to Freelancing via ZenBusiness

Guru.com

Upwork.com

GAP YEAR

The Ultimate Guide to Taking Your Dream Gap Year Via Mint’s blog

GOVERNMENT JOBS

Usajobs.gov

IMPORTANCE OF A FORMAL EDUCATION 

Infographic about education and earnings via the Bureau of Labor Statistics

INTERNSHIPS

Internships.com

RippleMatch: Internships and jobs for college juniors, seniors and recent grads.

Sleep internships, Yes, it’s a thing!

State Department Internships

Texas Internship Challenge

Virtual Student Federal Service:8 month remote internships with the government.

INTERVIEWING

AARP Interviewing Video: Helpful, well done video for all ages

Article,Interviewing: Are you Making These Mistakes article via The Authentic Path. Fast Company interviewing video at bottom of page.

STAR Behavioral Interview method infographic

INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYMENT 

Aeon

Akadeus -Jobs postings with business schools in the U.S. & abroad.

Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Professional Fellows Program

Club Med– International resort.

Dave’s ESL Café – Resources for individuals interested in teaching English overseas.

Disney China-Teach English with Disney.

Engage Education-Teaching jobs in the UK.

FacultyVacancies.com -International and domestic teaching jobs.

Go Abroad

Go Overseas

Indeed Worldwide

Interdisciplinoxy-Jobs with international business schools.

JET Programme-Teach English in Japan.

Jooble lists international opportunities.

List of international NGOs

List of international schools

Peace Corps Staff

Peace Corps Volunteer Program

ProFellows professional and academic fellowships both domestic and international

ProfessorPositions.com International and domestic faculty positions in Higher Ed.

ReliefWeb-NGO/non-profit international jobs

Short term work abroad through Nomad

State Department

Student Travel Programs: The Key to Making Travel Affordable via Million Mile Secrets

The Uni Jobs -Jobs in higher ed both in the U.S. and abroad.

Transitions Abroad

U.S. AID

WWOOF-Live, learn and work on an organic farm with room and board covered in the U.S. and abroad.

INTERNATIONAL JOB SEEKERS’ RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS NOT PERMANENTLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

Book: Power Ties

Houston Chambers of Commerce and Greater Houston Area Chambers of Commerce-This can be a good way to leverage your language and cultural knowledge.

Degree Translation Services via The Texas Education Agency

H1B Visa Jobs

My Visa Jobs

JOB SEARCH

After College-Jobs and internships-input your graduation date and major for suggestions.

America’s Service Locator– Connects individuals to jobs & training in local, One Stop Career Centers.

Counselor jobs via HoustonLPC.com

FairyGodBoss– Jobs and companies reviewed for women.

FlexJobs– Legitimate telecommuting jobs.

GradReach-Recruiting company that specializes in helping recent college grads find work.

HBCU 20×20-Job and internship resources.

I Hire HR Job board

Indeed -Pulls from company websites based on your keywords.

Industry specific jobs-join your industry’s professional organization for additional job postings via Career One Stop.

Idealist-Jobs for people who want to make the world a better place.

Jobs for people who are 50+ 

RippleMatch-Jobs and internships for recent college grads as well as college juniors and seniors.

State job banks via Career One Stop.

The Ladders-$100K+ jobs.

WorkinTexas.com

Women for Hire-Jobs for women including work from home jobs.

Zippia Scroll down for jobs based on major, job or company

JOB SEARCH ORGANIZATION TOOLS

Great tool, and free, to follow-up and track your applications at Job Well

Various free printables to help you stay organized via Whitney English

LANGUAGE LEARNING RESOURCES

All languages

BBC online language courses

Duolingo

Houston Language Partners

Pimsleur  is a language program used by the State Department*

Radio Lingua

Speed Reading

French

Best French Reading Resources for Beginners via French Beginner

18 French Newspapers that Will Make You a Better French Learner via French Together

LEADERSHIP

Article: How to be a Charismatic Leader via UCL School of Management

LGBTQIA+ RESOURCES

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Report with list of LGBTQIA+ friendly companies

LBGTQIA+ Career Resources via SOACE

OUT and Equal-Job postings, webinars and conferences.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn Examples: by LinkedIn

MOVING RESOURCES

Moving costs calculator via MoveBudda

Mover reviews and advice via Consumer Affairs

NETWORKING

Career One Stop Professional Association Finder

Professional Networking Resources

Eventbrite’s Business Networking Events

The Networkers Place

NBDA’s List of Networking Groups in Houston

Vocation Village’s List of Professional Associations in Houston

NON-PROFIT RESOURCES

National Non-Profits job board

10 non-profit job boards via Non-Profit Tech for Good

Non-Profit Tech for Good

ONLINE COURSES

Blueprint crafting courses. Being creative spills into all areas of your life including your career.

Coursera

EDX

Free online courses via Open Culture

Skill Share

STEM Courses via The Simple Dollar.

Udemy

ONLINE EDUCATION

I have vetted the following resources as best I can. Please be sure to do your due diligence to make sure the education you are signing up for meets the accreditation standards required in your field. 

www.collegedegreesonline.com

Maryville University

www.socialworkdegrees.org

Associate’s Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/associate/ 

Bachelor’s Degree  – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/bachelors/

Master’s Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/masters/

Doctoral Degree – https://www.teachingdegree.org/online-degrees/doctorate/

Guide to a Teaching Programs in Texas – https://www.teachingdegree.org

ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS

Simpleology

ToDoist

PROFESSIONAL ONLINE PORTFOLIO

AboutMe-Free and paid versions

Somebody.io   This is a free website. Here is mine. I did not include projects which may be helpful to include depending on the type of work you are seeking.

RELOCATING

ADT Crime Map

Area Vibes

Bankrate’s Cost of Living Comparison

Consumer Affairs Moving companies and advice.

HomeFair City Reports

My Move-Resources for moving, cost of living and more.

Numbeo offers cost of living resources for the U.S. and abroad.

Relocating to Houston-Resources through the Greater Houston Partnership.

Salary.com Cost of Living Wizard

REMOTE JOBS

60 Best Remote Job Search Sites via Ryan Robinson

70 Ways to Make Money Online via Ryan Robinson

Communication Tools and Strategies for Remote Teams via AppDirect

Flex Jobs

Flex Jobs-List of 100 companies with remote jobs.

Remote jobs with Amazon

Skip the Drive

The Work at Home Wife

The Work at Home Woman

List of remote jobs via Small Revolution

RESUME TEMPLATES

Free resume templates via Hloom

Free resume templates via JobNexus

SALARY

Career One Stop Wages

Glassdoor

Paycheck City

Payscale

Texas Workforce Commission

ZipRecruiter

Compare the cost of living in different cities Salary.comHomefair , Best Places and at Bankrate

SEASONAL JOBS

Cool Works

Job Monkey

SCHOLARSHIPS

College Scholarships.com

Go College

Scholarships.com

SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS

FedEx Grant

Resource for small business grants via Lendedu and Bizit

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

Amazon sell handmade goods on Amazon

Etsy free courses on how to sell on Etsy

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA free webinars

SCORE live and recorded webinars

HubSpot  free courses.

STUDENT LOANS

Non-profit advocating for fair practices for student loans Student Borrower Protection Center

Private student loan resources via U.S. News & World Reports

Student loan consolidation resources via U.S. News & World Reports

Teaching Resources

Learn about early education degrees and requirements for various states via Discover Early Childhood EDU

Lesson Plans for Teachers at Teacher.org

Streamline your grading with Gradescope

 

TRADE SCHOOLS

I have vetted the following resources as best I can. Please be sure to do your due diligence to make sure the education you are signing up for meets the accreditation standards required in your field. 

Trade Schools via Best Trade Schools

 

TRAVEL JOBS

Travel as a therapist (occupational; LCSW; etc.) via Allied Travel Careers

VETS/MILITARY

Long list of resources for Vets including job search resources

Orion Talent

Military Crosswalk

Military One Source

Military skills translator through the VA

Military to civilian job translator

VOLUNTEER

AmeriCorps

American Hiking Society

Catchafire

Peace Corps Volunteer

Rei Volunteer Vacations

United Way

Volunteer Match

WOMEN’S RESOURCES

FairyGodBoss: Companies and jobs reviewed for women

The American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Lean-In

Working Mom

WORKING VACATIONS

If you are a fitness teacher, Fit Bodies, Inc., will hire you for contract work at resorts

Perfect for frugal travelers who want to work-anything from milking goats to babysitting, etc.: Work Away

Websites for Therapists by TherapyTribe