Career Forecasting & Research Center
Forecast the Job Before You Finance the Education.
Before investing in college, trade school, certification or career training, research where the jobs are, what they pay, what credentials employers require and how the work may change.
Research the Career Before Choosing the Education
Choosing a career is a major personal and financial decision. A degree, certificate or apprenticeship can involve years of effort and significant expense. Before committing, investigate whether an occupation has realistic openings, what beginners typically earn and which training paths actually qualify you for the work.
Personal interests and the value of learning matter, too. A forecast should inform your choice—not make it for you. The foundation offers a free research process, trusted public tools and a practical comparison worksheet.
Use official sources for occupational outlooks, wages, state projections and training.
Open research tools →Understand the InvestmentCompare Real Education CostsGo beyond tuition to consider fees, supplies, financing and possible forgone earnings.
Review costs →Free WorksheetCompare Three Career PathsRecord your findings side by side, including the date and source of each estimate.
Open worksheet →Official Career Research Tools
Use these government resources as starting points. They supply information, not personalized job guarantees. Follow each resource's instructions and check the reporting period.
Find occupation descriptions, typical entry-level education, median pay, projected employment change and annual openings. Start with a specific job title.
Explore Occupations ↗Explore occupations, state-level employment projections, wages and training resources. Compare locations where you would actually be willing to work.
Research Jobs & Wages ↗Compare available information on college costs, completion, student debt and earnings. Check program-level availability and verify professional licensing requirements separately.
Compare Education Options ↗Explore registered apprenticeships that combine paid work and structured learning. Program requirements and available opportunities vary by employer and location.
Explore Apprenticeships ↗Understand What a Forecast Actually Says
A headline saying a career is “growing fast” is not enough. Read the measures together and understand the limits of each.
Projected growth
The estimated percentage change in employment during a stated period. A large percentage in a small occupation may mean relatively few new positions.
Annual job openings
Openings can reflect both employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave an occupation. Slow growth does not mean zero opportunities.
Median pay versus starting pay
Median pay covers workers at different experience levels. Research entry-level wages and verify whether the figure is national, state or local.
Local demand and qualifications
National trends do not guarantee local hiring. Check real employer requirements, licensing rules, experience needs and the feasibility of commuting or relocating.
Your Career Research Roadmap
Use this process before signing an enrollment agreement or taking on education debt.
List 3 careers
Choose specific occupations that fit your interests, abilities and desired lifestyle—not just broad majors.
Read the outlook
Record projected growth, annual openings, the forecast period and typical education requirements.
Check your region
Compare state wages and projections, then inspect entry-level job ads and speak with employers.
Compare training
Verify credentials, costs, completion outcomes and alternative pathways before deciding.
Ask Employers
- Do you hire people directly from this program?
- Which licenses or credentials are required?
- What are realistic beginner pay ranges?
- Is prior experience or an apprenticeship necessary?
Ask Schools
- What is the full cost of completing the program?
- Does the credential meet applicable licensing rules?
- How are completion and employment outcomes measured?
- What happens if I withdraw or need more time?
Ask Yourself
- Can I work where these opportunities exist?
- Can I manage the training cost and duration?
- Do I understand the day-to-day work?
- What is my alternative if conditions change?
Calculate the Cost Before You Commit
Tuition alone does not describe the full cost of education. Include required fees, supplies, equipment, transportation, housing changes, interest and income you might give up while studying.
| Hypothetical two-year training program | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and required fees | $30,000 |
| Books, equipment and transportation | $5,000 |
| Potential forgone earnings | $40,000 |
| Total illustrative economic cost | $75,000 |
Illustrative example, not an actual school or typical price. Forgone earnings are an opportunity cost, not a bill; figures exclude financing costs and assume the income would otherwise have been earned.
Compare Training Paths, Not Just Schools
Depending on your career, possible pathways include a four-year degree, community college, trade or technical school, registered apprenticeship, employer-supported training or an industry certification. Some occupations require a specific license or accredited program; others offer more than one route.
Investigate program requirements, total cost, completion outcomes and whether a degree is necessary for the occupation.
Compare practical instruction, tools and equipment, licensing eligibility, costs and employer recognition.
Explore earning while learning and the credentials, experience and advancement the program provides.
Emerging technology, including AI and automation, may change job tasks and skill requirements. Treat predictions cautiously; ask employers how work is evolving and whether your skills transfer to related occupations.
Free Three-Career Comparison Worksheet
Use the editable cells below to organize your research, or print a blank copy. Your entries are not sent to the foundation or saved by this page. Keep your own copy before leaving.
| Research question | Career 1 | Career 2 | Career 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific occupation / job title | |||
| Forecast period and projected employment change | |||
| Average annual openings | |||
| State / local demand and source | |||
| Realistic entry-level wage and location | |||
| Median wage and location | |||
| Required degree, license or certification | |||
| Total training cost and time | |||
| Employer requirements / beginner openings | |||
| Technology / AI changes to investigate | |||
| Personal fit and working conditions | |||
| Source URLs and date researched |
The worksheet is a research aid, not a prediction of employment or personalized financial advice. The print option depends on your browser and printer settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does projected job growth guarantee a job?
No. Projections estimate employment trends for an occupation and time period. Individual hiring depends on location, qualifications, employer demand and economic conditions.
What if an occupation is projected to decline?
Declining total employment does not eliminate replacement openings. Look at annual openings, local demand, job requirements and your personal goals before deciding.
Is median pay a new graduate's salary?
No. Median wages reflect workers across experience levels. Research actual beginner pay and confirm the geographic area and reporting date.
Will AI replace the job I want?
No forecast can answer that with certainty. Research changing job tasks, employer adoption and transferable skills instead of relying on dramatic headlines.
Should everyone avoid college and choose a trade?
No. Different occupations require different credentials, and students have different interests and circumstances. Compare the training that actually qualifies you for your intended work.
When should I update this research?
Recheck forecasts, job postings and program information before enrollment, borrowing, relocation or a major career change. Record dates because data and requirements can change.
Explore Career Opportunities. Make an Informed Decision.
The foundation's goal is not to choose your career for you. It is to help you understand employment possibilities, costs and educational pathways before you commit your time and money.
Continue Learning With the Foundation
Career research is a starting point. Explore career and trades resources or connect with the foundation for more practical education.
Forecast the Job Before You Finance the Education.
Research several occupations, look at local hiring, compare training and calculate the real financial commitment. Our career research resources are free to explore.