Career Exploration Project

These databases are the most useful source of information for your career research. The data is collected and organized by the U.S. government.

You have access to a large collection of digital articles that are freely available through the Library's Databases. They are available at any time. Once you click on the database link, an authentication page will come up. You can either:

1. Enter your Library Card number (14 digits long). It's found on the back of your student ID card next to the LONG barcode. Or,
2. Click on the link that says "LSC-Jakarta & LSC-Online users log in here." It will take you to another page to log in using your myLoneStar username and password.

Your paper should have multiple paragraphs that are organized by ideas. Below is an example of how to structure your paper:

1. Introduction and thesis statement
2. Background information about the career
   1. Specifications and responsibilities
   2. Work conditions
   3. Benefits and drawbacks
   4. Expected salary
3. Why did you choose this career
   1. How does it fit with your learning style and personality
   2. Why are you interested in this career?
   3. What are your strengths that will contribute to your success in this field?
   4. What potential weaknesses might hold you back?
4. Next Steps
   1. What are the required degrees, certifications, and/or experience for this career?
   2. What are your plans to ear these credentials?
   3. What are your plans to gain experience?
   4. What can you do now to prepare to take these steps?
5. Conclusion
   1. Why do you think this position is a good fit for you?

Created by Tracie Kamenoff, 2014

Below are example citation entries that are commonly used in this assignment.

Note that there are pieces of information that you will have to change:

• Change red and crossed-out content to match your researched career, publication date, and url.
• Remove the http:/ part of the URL and make sure that it is hyperlinked so that your instructor can click and open up your source of information.
• Works Cited list is in alphabetical order by author.
• Works Cited is double space with a hanging indentation.

Online Databases

Below are helpful resources provided by the Career Services Center.

The government databases have collected information about job titles, skills, education, and technical requirements. They are excellent sources to help you build and cater your résumé to the position to which you are applying.

Have You Tried Googling Yourself?

Your future employers will likely Google you before they hire you to learn about who you are. Think about your digital footprint. What information, videos, and pictures that you have shared with your online communities that is available to the online public? Think about how that will affect your chances of employment?

Email, call, chat, or visit us at the Reference Desk with any and all of your information needs. We're happy to help you!

Kingwood.LRC-Ref@LoneStar.edu

Librarians are at multiple locations.

LSC.KWLibrary

The Library has been affected by the flooding on the Kingwood campus. It is closed for the near future. Services will be available at the various centers for student assistance. Check the LSC-Kingwood Library for more details.

The Library was damaged due to the flooding on the LSC-Kingwood campus. It is closed for the near future.

ID | Printing | Study Rooms | Library Classification System | Request a book from another LSC-Library | How many items? | Fines

1. Why do I need a library card or ID? And How do I get one?

Your LSCS ID serves as your library card and gives you easy access to the library's online resources from off-campus, the Fitness Center on-campus and may help you obtain student discounts from community stores and shops that offer one. For off-campus access to eBooks, articles, and streaming video from the library's databases, use the 14-digit barcode number on the back. You will also use your student ID to add cash to your Print Account so you can copy and print in the library.

Go to the circulation desk of any Lone Star College library. You will need a photo ID and you will need to be registered as a student. Of course, we also provide IDs to faculty and staff!

If you're an online only student, complete the form at http://www.LoneStar.edu/library/card. Make sure you use your LoneStar email address, and the library circulation staff will send you a barcode number to access the library's online resources!

2. How do I print or copy in the library?

You will need to set up a Print Account  and then add money to it:

1. Signing in to any print release station to set up your print account.
2. Adding funds:
   • Use your LSCS ID (issued since June of 2015) to add  exact cash at an Add Value station. (Need a new ID? see #1).
   • OR, go to MyPrintCenter and select the Add Funds link to add a minimum of $5 using your debit or credit card or PayPal account. Note: PayPal funds may take a little longer to show up in your account. You will find a link to MyPrintCenter under the Quicklinks in your MyLoneStar portal.
   • Still have a print card from the old system? Ask a librarian to transfer any left-over funds to your new Print Account!

3. Does the library have group or individual study rooms?

LSC-Kingwood Library does not have rooms that can be reserved; instead, we've set up group study areas at the front of the library and quiet study areas at the back of the library. Sound does travel in our library, so if your group needs to be more active or you just want to socialize, try other spaces around campus - the PAC and Student Conference Center (SCC) are good places to start.

4. What classification system does the Lone Star-Kingwood Library use?

In order to find books and other materials in a library, we have to have a way to organize it all to make it easy for you to find. Librarians manage large collections by giving each item an identifier. Think of it like the book's license plate number. We use databases called the catalog to search for these items. Once you have chosen which item you want, you need to find on the page the book's call number. This is the license plate or classification number. This is how you will be able to find it on the shelf.

The Lone Star Libraries use the Library of Congress classification system. It was created in the twentieth century to help organize the world's largest collection of material that is housed in Washington D.C. It is alpha-numeric, which means that it uses letters and numbers to help organize all the information into twenty-one broad subject categories. You will find that most academic libraries use this classification system. The great thing about having books well organized is that you'll be able to find more material on the shelves around the book that you went to find.

Public libraries and school libraries tend to use the Dewey Decimal system, which only has ten subject classes that simply uses numbers.

5. What is the procedure for requesting a book held at another library?

In the library's online catalog, you can search for books and other material at all the LSC-Libraries, Harris County, and Montgomery County libraries. Once you find an item that Kingwood does not have, you can request the item by clicking on the Place Hold button on the right-hand side of the screen. A pop-up window will appear and will ask you for your Library Card number and Pin.

• Your library card number is the 14 digit number above the long barcode on the back of your student ID (the top set of numbers).
• Your pin is the last 4 digits of the phone number that you provided when you got your student ID. If you have forgotten it, you may call the Circulation team to see if they can remind you of the number or reset it (281-312-1693). 

6. How many items can I check out of the Library at one time?

Below are your borrowing privileges: 

7. What happens if I have unpaid fines?

If an checked out item is overdue, your check out privileges are suspended. You will have a hold on your academic record until the overdue material are returned and fines are cleared.

If the item is damaged ,lost, or stolen, you will be charged the cost of replacing it.

Check with the Learning Center to find out where and when tutoring for writing, math, and other subjects are available throughout the semester.