Now live online at alabamaworks.com/successguides, The AlabamaWorks Career SUCCESS Guides help Alabama students, their parents and anyone preparing for a new career learn more about high-demand careers and salary ranges, the steps students need to take to reach their career goals, and where to get the resources available to help them get there.

The sixteen guides, one for each career cluster established by the U.S. Department of Labor, feature six short bios of Alabamians who share their stories and paths to their current jobs in Alabama companies. These personal stories offer students insight into the school-to-work connection and a realistic view of what it takes to succeed. A printable version of each guide is available online along with an all-new interactive version. The interactive tools allow for easy comparison from one guide to another and offer more information not available in the print versions.

“The AlabamaWorks Career SUCCESS Guides are invaluable resources designed specifically for Alabama students,” says Sean Stevens, Career Coach Program Administrator for Counseling and Guidance. To make their dreams of success a reality, Alabama’s students must have access to relevant tools and resources that engage their minds and promote lifelong learning.

Students who use the AlabamaWorks! Career SUCCESS Guides, along with practical recommendations from their parents, teachers, school counselors, and career coaches, will be better prepared for post-secondary learning opportunities after graduation—and a lifetime of future career success.”

On behalf of the Alabama Workforce Council, AlabamaWorks and the Alabama Departments of Commerce, Education and Labor, IDEAS has been working over the last year to create this first of its kind career exploratory and education planning system.

“It is exciting to see Alabama’s continued leadership in developing a comprehensive workforce and economic development system,” noted Bob Allen, CEO of IDEAS. “The AlabamaWorks brand is becoming synonymous with smart and effective career development and economic growth in Alabama.”

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 3 issue of the Demopolis Times.)