Career Changes Made Easy.

• Author: HOLTIZMAN, HENRY
• Position: Brief Article - Review

Career Success is Color Blind By Ollie Stevenson Jist Works (Jist Publishing Inc. Indianapolis, Ind. 2000 348 pages, $16.95

Ollie Stevenson established her credentials as a solid human resources author with the first edition of this book. Now she ought guard against better known authors adapting her content and style to reach a wider readership. Stevenson's ideas are not only on target for minorities, but appropriate to everyone who is planning a career move or job change.

Although the author sometimes states the obvious, it's often because people ignore what ought to be common sense. For example, Stevenson notes:

"An important factor in your criteria for evaluating job options (is to) know what jobs and career fields are likely to be available in the future. It is pointless to plan a career around an occupation that is going the way of the dinosaur. Statistical trends show that in the future, opportunities will be plentiful in areas relating to computer technology, care-giving and services that depend primarily on free-flowing interactions with other people."

That's not exactly news, but then she adds an idea that you don't generally hear from human resources experts:

"Browse through periodicals, news reports and magazines--for general information and to stay current on changes that could impact your profession. Make a daily practice to scan the front page and business section of your local newspaper. If you live in a major city, that paper will provide you with timely and relevant information on your professional focus. If you live in a small town, consider subscribing to a paper from a large city (especially from a city you might be interested in relocating to someday)."

The book is filled with tips gained from the author's own experience as well as quotes from people who are successful in their careers. These tips are plentiful and all are brief, followed by a concise elaboration of no more than two or three short paragraphs.

Another element of Stevenson's refreshing...