Step 1
Take an interest inventory. If you already know what career you want, you can skip this step.

• Career One Stop Get My Future - Click on Explore Careers.
• JOBS.MO.GOV – Click on Plan your Career.
• Missouri Connections – Sign in, click on Assessments.
• Holland Code Career Inventory
• Career Navigator and Quizzes
• Military Skills Translator and Civilian Occupation Translator - Match military experience to civilian jobs.

Step 2
Explore career options. Research occupations that interest you to find out about the type of work, experience needed, training required, and median pay.

• Occupational Outlook Handbook - from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lists median pay, entry-level education, on-the-job training, and projected growth rate by occupation.
• MERIC – from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Information on Missouri’s high demand jobs and local salary ranges. 
• JOBS.MO.GOV – Click on Training and Education.
• Missouri Connections – sign in, click on Occupations and Education. 
• University of Missouri – St. Louis Career Services – Labor Market and salary ranges for different majors.

Step 3
If you think you already have the skills you need for your chosen career:

• Get a National Career Readiness Certificate at a Missouri Job Center. 
• Continue to: What if I need a job right now?

If you need to enter a training program or college, continue to: How to find the right training program or college for the job I want?

Optional: Volunteer now and choose a career later: Not sure what you want to do with your life? Check out Americorps and see how you can earn a stipend and living expenses while you spend a couple of years working in the United States, helping people or areas in need. Or check out VolunteerMatch to find an opportunity -- sometimes volunteering leads to employment.

In this section you'll find information about apprenticeship programs, technical training programs, trade schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities.

Some careers require specific college degrees or technical certificates, while others are built on training through an apprenticeship, or on informal on-the-job training. If you aren't sure what training you need for the job you want, check out:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Missouri Connections – Occupations and Education link

Most training programs and colleges require a high school credential -- either a diploma or an HSE. You can obtain a copy of your HSE transcript at the DESE Transcript Search Website.

For immigrants to the United States, a diploma and high school transcript from another country will usually be acceptable as a high school credential, but you may have to take an English test (TOEFL) or a placement test to determine your skill level. If you have a college degree and/or professional certificate from another country, your credentials must be translated and evaluated to determine whether your training meets the requirements of the United States. For more information, click on the U.S. Department of Education Information for International Students and Professionals. If you need to have your credentials evaluated or translated, click here.  Then choose Additional Resources and Credential Evaluation/Translation Services.

To find information on specific post-secondary programs in the St. Louis area, check out these links below:

• Apprenticeships 
• Technical Schools and Colleges

An apprenticeship combines classroom and on-the-job training. You can train for many manual and technical jobs through an apprenticeship. For example, you can study in an apprenticeship program to become a plumber, carpenter, mechanic, iron worker, electrician, bricklayer, machinist, or chef.

For general information on apprenticeships, read this pamphlet on Careers in Construction.  

Other apprenticeship resources include:

• Missouri Apprentice Connect 
• CareerOneStop Apprenticeship information
• St. Louis Construction Cooperative
• Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
• Electrical Industry Training Center
• Iron Workers Apprenticeship Program
• SLATE Apprenticeship Programs
• Launch Code - free computer training and apprenticeships

Technical Schools provide training for a specific type of work. They offer certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees depending on the program of study. Technical School programs may take from 1 day to 2 years to complete. The course work may or may not transfer to a four-year college or university.

Community Colleges offer many programs leading to professional certificates or associate degrees. You can get credentials in careers such as carpentry, nursing, and computer programming, or you can study traditional college subjects like English, math, art, social sciences, and sciences. After completing two years at a community college, many students transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree.

Four-year Colleges offer bachelor's degrees in academic areas. You can start college at a four-year school or you can transfer from community college.

The following websites list Missouri training programs for specific occupations:

• Missouri Connections – click on the Adults link
• DHEWD Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development – College and Degree Search 

Most post-secondary schools will require a placement test.

• Community Colleges and Technical Schools usually give the Accuplacer.
• Four-year colleges typically require either the ACT or the SAT.

For a complete look at the steps involved in choosing a college, check out College for Adults and College Board websites.

Technical Training Programs in the St Louis Area:

• Family and Workforce Development Centers of America
• Licensed Practical Nurse Program (LPN) – 1 year
• Diesel Technology (DT) –  2 year Associates Degree
• SLATE St Louis Agency of Training and Employment
• Launch Code – Free technology training

Technical Schools and Community Colleges in the St Louis Area include:

St Louis Community College

• • St Louis Community College Accelerated Job Training Programs
  • St Louis Community College Degree Programs
  • St Louis Community College Tuition & Fees

St Charles Community College 

• • St Charles Community College Degree Programs
  • St Charles Community College Workforce Training Programs
  • St Charles Community College Tuition & Fees

Jefferson College

• • Jefferson College Degree & Certificate Programs
  • Jefferson College Career Training & Development Programs
  • Jefferson College Tuition & Fees

Ranken Technical College

• • Ranken Degree & Certificate Programs
  • Ranken Tuition & Fees

Four-Year Colleges in the St Louis Area include:

• Fontbonne University
• University of St. Louis - Missouri UMSL
  • has a close relationship with the community colleges. Many students transfer to UMSL after two years.
• Harris-Stowe State University
• Lindenwood University
• Missouri Baptist University
• St. Louis University SLU
  • has a scholarship for students who have a High School Equivalency Certificate.
• Washington University in Saint Louis
• Webster University

Part of the decision about what college or training program to enter is financial. There are loans, grants, and scholarships available. For a useful overview, check out the following websites: US Department of Education, Affordable College's Financial Aid page, and Discover's Free Scholarship Search.

Step one - Complete the FAFSA

Whether you want to borrow money or apply for a grant or scholarship (money for school that you don't have to repay), the first step is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and send it in to the government. The FAFSA must be completed as soon after January 1 as possible.

If you are under 21, you will probably need financial information and signatures from your parent(s) or guardian.

Filling out the FAFSA can be confusing. This Federal Aid Student Handbook can help you fill out the FAFSA. You can also get free help in the St. Louis area from The Scholarship Foundation.

Step two - Research Financial Aid

Find out all you can about the kinds of financial aid available and how to get it. The following sites provide helpful information about the types of financial aid available:

• Missouri Department of Higher Education Planning & Paying for College
• The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
• Top 175 Scholarships for College Students from Mometrix Test Preparation
• FinAid: The Go-to Guide for College Financial Aid
• American Opportunity Tax Credit 
• Lifetime Learning Credit

Step three - Research Scholarships

The most likely source of loans and scholarships is your college, but if you need to apply for additional money, check out the following sites for scholarship information:

• The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis This organization awards about 2.75 million dollars a year in interest-free college or technical/vocational school loans and about $300,000 in grants to students in St. Louis and surrounding counties in Missouri and Illinois.
• Fastweb.com National Scholarship Database is designed to simplify scholarship searches.
• Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships
• FinAid: Scholarships
• Guaranteed Scholarships
• Historically Black College & University Scholarships
• LuLac Scholarship Funds
• An Introduction to College Scholarships
• 25 Scholarship Gateways from Black Excel
• Back2College Aid & Resources for Re-Entry Students
• INROADS internships

If you are an immigrant or refugee in the United States, you need to follow specific steps to be able to attend college or work here. The US Department of Education’s webpage for International Students and Professionals details these steps.

The first step in preparing for school or work in the U.S. is to learn to converse, read, and write well in English. Even if you already know English well, attending class can help you raise your skills to a more comfortable level for surviving in the workplace or classroom. You can attend free English classes for adults -- beginners to the most advanced nonnative speakers -- around the St. Louis area. For a schedule of classes, click here.

If you have a high school credential from your native country, chances are good that American colleges will accept it towards their admission requirements. Likewise, a college degree from another country is usually acceptable for graduate school admissions. And most employers will accept foreign academic degrees to meet employment requirements. If you need to have your diploma and/or transcript translated and evaluated, try one of these agencies:

• The International Institute: Translation and interpretation services, documents, in person, and by phone. 314-773-9090
• Language Access Metro Project (LAMP): Translation and interpretation services. Monday - Friday 9-5: 314-842-0062. After hours: 314-364-5404
• Bilingual International Assistant Services - 1329 Macklind Ave #200, St Louis, MO 63110, (314) 645-7800
• Education Credential Evaluators
• International Consultants of Delaware
• Academic and Professional International Evaluations
• World Education Services
• eduPass – explains the credential evaluation process

If you do not have a high school diploma from your native country, you can earn a HSE credential, which is a certificate of high school equivalency. To earn the HSE certificate, you take tests in reading, language, math, science, and social studies. The HSE certificate meets the requirement for having a high school diploma for employment or admission to college. You can learn a lot you need to know for the HSE Tests in your English class, but while your English may be very good, you may need to study math, reading, writing, science, and social studies in a free adult education class. For a schedule of free HSE preparation classes, click here.

Whatever your academic credentials, some universities and employers may require you to take a test of English proficiency. Admission or employment may depend on your score. The most common English proficiency test is the TOEFL. For free TOEFL preparation classes, see our schedule of English classes.

Finally, to take the HSE Tests, to work in the U.S., and often to attend school, you will need a social security number. To apply for a social security card, you need to visit a social security office. To find the office nearest you, check out this social security office locator.

If you have barriers to employment, the Employment Connection may be able to help you get ready to work and find a job. They assist people on TANF, women in transition, CAP clients, exoffenders, and people with other types of issues.

VocRehab, MERS Goodwill, and Paraquad also help people overcome barriers to employment through training and job placement.

All Missouri Job Centers have Navigators to help people with disabilities navigate government systems and the process of finding a job. To find the nearest Missouri Job Center, click here.

The Learning Disabilities Association of America website has information on learning disabilities in the workplace.

If you have mental health issues and want to attend college, the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides suggestions for choosing a college, getting support, and finding scholarships.

The most comprehensive site for help finding a job is your local Missouri Job Center. They provide job and career readiness training in addition to career advisors who can help you find a job. Start your job search by registering at Jobs.MO.Gov.

Current Job Opportunities offered by the Missouri Job Center are listed here.

Most employers advertise their jobs online.  To find the most current jobs in the St. Louis area, check out:

• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• ZipRecruiter
• Glassdoor
• Monster

Another helpful site for job seekers is University of Missouri - St Louis Career Services.

Applications and Résumés
To apply for a job, you will need to fill out an application. Fill it out carefully. Sometimes it is a good idea to make a photocopy and fill that out first, then write your information on the real application after practicing. Besides your name, address, and phone number, you will need to know your social security number. If you don't have a social security number, click here to find out how to get one.

For some jobs, an application is enough. If you take it to the work site in person, be sure to dress for an interview because some employers will interview right then. Most career advisors suggest dressing one step better than you would have to dress on the job.

For other jobs, you will also need to send a resume and cover letter. A resume tells about you: your career goals, education, previous jobs, and/or job skills. A cover letter "covers" your resume in the envelope in which you mail them; it introduces you and expresses your interest in the job and qualifications for it without repeating what your resume says.

For help filling out job applications, creating a resume and writing a cover letter, try CareerOneStop and Missouri Connections.

Interviewing Skills
Here are some websites that contain helpful information regarding job interview skills:

• Mock Interviews - Interviews and question banks
• How to Prepare for an Interview – Video and tips
• 20 Tips for Great Job Interviews