Before you can start searching for sources, you must have a topic. Review your assignment carefully to determine a topic that will most closely match what is expected by your instructor.
Example Assignment:
Identify Keywords:
Trying to figure out what words to type into a database search box is often the most difficult part of research. This is the best time to ask a librarian for advice!
Choose at least one or two keywords to begin your search. Do not type a complete sentence into a database search box.
Search examples that go along with our sample topic . . .
Career Field: Nursing
Specific Job: Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
Hot Topic: Burnout
Search Examples:
nursing
"emergency room nurse"
"registered nurse" AND career
"emergency department" AND burnout
"nurse burnout" AND (stress OR workload OR compassion fatigue)
"ER nurses" AND (mental health OR retention OR turnover)
Once you have a list of results, use the options in the sidebar to refine your results by:
Date range (e.g., last 5 years)
Source type (e.g., scholarly journals, magazines, books)
Subject terms (e.g., nursing, job satisfaction, work environment)
Full text availability
NOTE: This does not search all of PCC Library's e-book databases.
Step 1: Start Broad
Think about your career field, your specific job, and one current issue or “hot topic.”
Example:
Career field → Nursing
Job → ER Nurse
Hot topic → Burnout
Step 2: Build a Search
Copy and paste this example into a database search box:
(nursing OR "healthcare careers") AND (burnout OR stress OR "work-life balance")
Step 3: Try Variations for Your Field
| Career Area | Example Search |
|---|---|
| Education | (teachers OR "education careers") AND ("teacher shortage" OR "classroom management") |
| Criminal Justice | ("law enforcement" OR "police officer") AND ("community relations" OR "use of force") |
| Information Technology | ("cybersecurity analyst" OR "IT careers") AND ("data privacy" OR "AI ethics") |
| Business / Marketing | ("marketing manager" OR "business careers") AND ("digital marketing trends" OR "remote work") |
| Engineering | ("civil engineer" OR "engineering careers") AND ("sustainability" OR "green technology") |
| Healthcare / Nursing | ("registered nurse" OR "healthcare worker") AND ("nurse burnout" OR "patient safety") |
| Human Services / Psychology | ("mental health counselor" OR "social worker") AND ("compassion fatigue" OR "teletherapy") |
Search Tips
✅ Use AND to combine different ideas → "registered nurse" AND burnout
✅ Use OR for synonyms → (teacher OR educator)
✅ Use quotation marks for phrases → "mental health", "emotional intelligence"
Collection of e-books geared specifically towards community college curriculum areas such as allied health, computer technology, and other trades.
Includes authoritative e-books that cover a wide range of subject areas. Most books can be downloaded to various devices.
If you want to browse books in the 2nd floor stacks, head to the following call number sections.
These areas cover career exploration, job preparation, workplace skills, and industry-specific topics.
HF 5381–5382.7 → Careers & Vocational Guidance
(Career planning, job hunting, interviewing, résumés)
HF 5548.4–5548.7 → Office & Workplace Technology
(Computer skills, workplace software)
HF 5549 → Human Resource Management
(Employee relations, workplace culture, professional development)
HD 4900–6950 → Labor & Employment
(Job markets, workplace issues, employee rights, unions)
HD 7287 → Employment in Specific Industries
(Focus on particular career sectors)
LC 1041–1072 → Vocational Education & Career Training
(Career readiness, technical training, workforce education)
R 697–R 858 → Health Professions
(Medical assisting, therapy, nursing)
RT → Nursing
(Specialized nursing careers, ethics, burnout, patient care)
T 55–57 → Industrial Management & Engineering Careers
QA 76 → Computer Science & Information Technology Careers
Ask a librarian for help locating a specific career field or topic (for example, “graphic design,” “welding,” or “social work”) — or to find eBooks on career outlooks and workplace trends.
