Careers and Employment

KPL staff-selected resources. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Staff Recommends

The Career Coward's Guide to Changing Careers: Sensible Strategies for Overcoming Job Search Fears by Katy PiotrowskiDitch the Flip-Flops: Ace your Job Interview Fresh Out of College by Sylvia LandyYou Should Hire Me!: Interview Secrets to get the Job you Love by Ronald Krannich150 Best Jobs Through Military Training by Laurence ShatkinResumes for the Rest of Us: Secrets from the pros for job Seekers with Unconventional Career Paths by Arnold  Boldt

Upcoming Events »

Résumé Workshop

Databases (most require KPL library card)

Associations Unlimited

International, national, state & local associations information. Mailing label format available. 

Business and Company Resource Center (Home Access)

Company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports, company histories, chronologies and periodicals. 

eLibrary Plus (Electric Library Plus) (Home Access)

Full text articles, plus maps and pictures and TV and radio transcripts

InfoTrac All Using PowerSearch

Magazines, journals, newspapers, reference books, ebooks available in the library or at home with your KPL library card or with your Michigan Driver's License or ID by going to Mel.org
Includes Computer Database; Custom Newspapers; General Reference Center Gold; Grand Rapids Press; Expanded Academic ASAP; General Business File ASAP; Legal Trac; InfoTrac Onefile; Health Reference Center Academic ASAP

Learning Express eBooks Collection

Study guides and test-preparation books to help prepare to advance in school, or pass licensing, certification, or competitive entry-level exams.

Learning Express Library

Online study test for the SAT, ASVAB, Civil Service, GED, ESL and many others.  Available in the library and at home to KPL library card holders.  New users must register on Learning Express at the library. Once registered, Learning Express Library can be accessed from home. Also available to Michigan residents with a Michigan driver's license or ID from MeL.org. 

MOIS Michigan Occupational Information System

Career development, planning and self assessment. Available at Central Library only, reference area.

Plunkett Research (Home Access)

Industry analysis, statistics, business development and market research

ReferenceUSA - Business and Residential

Search by company name, yellow page heading or geographic location. Search residential listings by name, address or telephone.

TheStreet.com Ratings (Home Access)

Evaluations, updated quarterly, of the financial strength of life, health, and annuity insurers, property and casualty insurers, HMO's, banks and savings and loans.  In addition, they track the risk-adjusted performance of over 20,000 mutual funds and more than 6,000 stocks.   
Home Access
(enter your library card barcode number plus a zero to access)

Newspapers and Magazines

View details

Employment and Earnings (DOC) L 241/2:

Federal Jobs Digest

International Employment Hotline

Monthly Labor Review (DOC)L 2.5:

Occupational Outlook Quarterly (DOC) L 2.70/4:

Community Resources

AFL-CIO Southcentral Michigan Labor Council

Phone 269-962-9142

 Labor education classes; information about new legislation; services available to non-members are counseling on job-related problems and referral services in unemployment situations; emergency food rations.

Disability Network of Southwestern Michigan

Phone 269-345-1516

Advocacy; peer support; information and referral; skill training; employment services; drivers' training; computer training; Social Security benefits planning services; resource library; disability diversity training.

Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan

Phone 269-382-0490

Vocational counseling; job skills and career evaluations; job development and placement; Community partnership programs include: "Literacy together" partnership with Kalamazoo Public Schools, including adult basic education, one-on-one tutoring, and GED preparation. "Closet to Success" clothing program available for job interviewing/working; "Making it Work" housing/rental assistance program; "Work First " program to assist welfare recipients enter the workforce; "Partnership for Adult Learning" to assist adult students with educational skill development; "Breaking the Barriers" for adults who have been assessed to have substantial barriers to employment; accepts old computers for recycling; ESL classes; Adult Basic Education classes; "Workers on Wheels" personal transportation for low-income workers program using donated vehicles. Employment assistance, including paid work experience, through partner agencies and through ten Goodwill retail outlet stores throughout southwestern Michigan.

Hispanic American Council of Kalamazoo

Phone 269-385-6279

Employment counseling and placement; interpretation and translation of Spanish and English; English language classes with emphasis on life-skills; family reading program; immigration information; referrals to community resources, youth services programs and scholarships; coordinates English language classes with Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Employment and Training Services - Region III, Michigan

Phone 269-323-0234

To assist Indian people in finding employment.

Michigan Works! Service Center

Phone 269-383-2536

Michigan Talent Bank; 24 computers for public access; self-assessment training; career counseling; veteran services; rehabilitation services; recruitment assistance; job postings; interview facilities; workplace accommodation assistance.

MRC Industries Inc.

Phone 269-343-0747

Provides community and in-house employment and community support; McKercher services: personal and individual support in various areas; Pathways: 119 W. Vine - services for people with mental illness; Connections: Park Trades Center - programs for teens and young adults with mental illness and emotional impairments.

Northside Association for Community Development

Phone 269-344-5490

To advocate and promote a healthier environment, employment, financial literacy, and community development.

Professional Development & Training Center

Phone 269-492-1460

Grant or sponsor paid six week administrative program including training in office etiquette, computer programs, multi-line telephone operations, and job search skills.

Upjohn Institute/Michigan Works

Phone 269-349-1533

Administers federal and state funded programs/services to assist employers and job seekers with employment needs, including Workforce Investment Act (Youth, Adult and Dislocated Worker), Employment Services, Work First, Trade Act Assistance, School to Work, and incumbent Workers. Direct services provided by subcontractors. Direct services can be accessed at the Michigan Works Service Centers located at 1601 S. Burdick in Kalamazoo and 218 Enterprise Drive in Three Rivers.

W E Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Phone 269-343-5541

To find and promote, through research and publication, solutions to employment related problems from local to international levels; research addresses causes and consequences of unemployment, including studies on social insurance and income maintenance.

Websites

Career Matrix - Michigan Job Opportunities

A Michigan based job resource center for job seekers and employers. 

Career One Stop

A collection of free employment and career resources on the Internet.

Careers In Government

Careers In Government is a clearinghouse of information, resources and jobs available in public sector organizations in America and abroad.

Experience Works - Green Thumb - Employment Opportunities for Older Adults

Experience Works is a national, nonprofit organization that provides training and employment services for mature workers.

Internship Opportunies in Michigan

Database from the State of Michigan, allows searching by employer or county. 

JobMonkey.com

This site seeks to help you find seasonal or year-round jobs working for employers who can offer you unique opportunities to travel the world, have fun, and earn good money doing it.

Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Michigan Works!

Michigan Works provides local information regarding job training, job searching, employer services, education opportunities, job fairs, community service organizations, and tax credit information.

Kalamazoo Help Wanted

Search for jobs and post your resume.

Michigan Careers in Manufacturing

Resources for learning about the types of manufacturing, exploring the careers that exist in manufacturing and other references including statistics.

Michigan Jobs and Career Portal

Smart career and business decisions start here. This site is a bridge to state and national employment, career, education, training, and business resources and services.

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency

Includes how to file for unemployment online.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)

Career Information, Working Conditions, Educational Requirements, Earnings, and Expected Job Prospects. OOH describes what workers do on the job, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects in a wide range of occupations.

Peace Corps

Locate Peace Corp opportunities and learn about their mission.

Riley Guide to Salary Guides and Guidance

The Riley Guide is a directory of employment and career information sources and services on the Internet, including detailed salary guide information.

Riley Guide

The Riley Guide is here to guide you through the many online sites and services that are useful for your online job search.

USA Jobs - Federal Jobs

Start here if you're looking for federal job postings and career information.


View all Topic Guides

Woman interviewing a potential job candidate.

Woman interviewing a potential job candidate.