As you progress in your own research, you will find your own valuable sources of information on the Internet. Here are a few places to begin:

• ipl2—The Internet Public Library Associations on the Net provides access to professional associations. Resources available through professional associations are often the most valuable. Membership directories facilitate networking for goal-setting as well as job-search efforts. Journals and other publications enhance the vocabulary needed to enhance specialized field-focused vocabulary. By joining associations, attending seminars, reading literature, and networking with members, you will truly talk the talk and walk the walk.

• Career Builder—One of many multiple industry and national posting, resume-collection, and job-search information sites. It promotes the capabilities of a “personal search agent” that allows you to identify job-search criteria and then be contacted whenever new postings come up. This site notes “over 400,000 better jobs” posted.

• The Wall Street Journal—The Wall Street Journal's Career Journal is a multifaceted site. It contains articles, postings, resume collections, links to other sites, resume critiquing, and general advice regarding job search and careers. It is a high-tech, online version of what would have been career- and job-search-focused periodicals or newspaper sections just a few years ago. It is an inspirational as well as educational and logistical support site of value for experienced candidates.

• FlipDog—Another multifaceted site that contains articles, postings, resume banks, resume critiquing, and general advice. While the over 300,000 jobs within the system should motivate some, others will find additional resources quite valuable. You can get expert advice from the Resource Center, have employers look for your resume, enhance your career via a semimonthly newsletter, use the search agent, and reach employers through job banks and employer links.

• WorkTree—The self-proclaimed largest job-search portal in the world, this site offers access to over 50,000 links to all types of job and career resources. It also boasts user access to 3,000,000-plus jobs. Boasting aside, it is a comprehensive portal that eases access to information that can maximize the efforts of many.

• Monster.com—Literally and figuratively, the monster of all posting, resume-collection, and career-advice sites. This creatively advertised and most-recognized posting, resume-bank, employer-research, search-agent, and job-search advice site isn't scary at all. It is very user-friendly, and their cute corporate logo is rather inviting. This site promotes with great pride that it contains over 17 million resumes and 1 million postings for job-seekers of all stages and ages, including internship candidates, soon-to-be and recent college grads, and experienced professionals. While too many use this resource passively for reactive efforts only it can be a very, very powerful proactive tool.

• WetFeet—“Do Research,” “Get Advice,” and “Find a Job” are the first three major headings you will see when you access this site. Find a Job has two basic links: Job Listings and Internship Listings. As you navigate through the varied links, you will be provided general information and offered opportunities to buy some of the varied and valuable publications created by this group.

• Vault—Another great resource for job-seekers. Employers are encouraged to post jobs and internships, access the resume database, and complete surveys so data on the firm might be included in future publications. Community users are granted access to Message Boards, Ask Our Experts, and How's My Resume links. Industry options include Consulting, Finance, Law, TV News, and more, with Career Topics offering information on Career Change, Compensation, Job Search, and other issues. Like other sites, basic information is offered, and you will be given opportunities to purchase publications created by this particular group.

• Fortune.com—Grants you access to information and the annual lists generated by the venerable periodical Fortune. Lists include Fortune 500, Global 100, 100 Best Companies to Work For, and 100 Fastest Growing Companies. Topical career advice as well as “Q&A” exchanges are also offered. This is a useful resource when developing hit lists of prospective employers.

• ThomasNet—A comprehensive resource for finding companies and products manufactured in North America. Simply enter one or more words into the search box after selecting the product, company, or brand name you're looking for to search from over 72,000 product headings and more than 170,000 company listings.

• Net-Temps—Net-Temps is the self-proclaimed number-one destination of job-seekers looking for contract, temporary, or direct employment through a staffing agency. Employers can post a job, candidates can find a job, gain career advice, post a resume, or create a search agent. This site is unique in that it addresses needs of those seeking part-time, temp, or contract situations, and it highlights various agencies. Over 45,000 total jobs are advertised.

• The Riley Guide—A directory of employment and career information sources and services on the Internet, this site provides instruction for job-seekers and recruiters on how to use the Internet to their best advantage. Originally a comprehensive printed reference, then a rather passive, yet thorough listing, and now an interactive site, this is an excellent resource.

• Idealist.org—Lists over 29,000 nonprofit and community organizations in 153 countries, which you can search or browse by name, location, or mission. It contains thousands of volunteer opportunities in your community and around the world and a list of organizations that can help you volunteer abroad. It is characterized by many as the best Nonprofit Career Center on the Web, with thousands of job and internship listings.

• The Washington Center—One of the pre-eminent summer and year-round internship program, the Washington Center offers internships and academic seminars for all majors in Washington, D.C. Whatever your major, the program finds a suitable internship and includes housing. When accepted, students are assigned, according to interests, either to the Main Program, to one of approximately a dozen special, thematically organized programs, or to one of two postgraduate programs.

• Dream Careers—Another pre-eminent summer internship program, Dream Careers (formerly known as the University of Dreams) places college students in summer internships in fields including, but not limited to advertising, engineering, entertainment, finance, fashion, investment banking, law, programming, public relations, not-for-profit, and real estate. Programs in New York City, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles involve guaranteed internships, seminar series, housing at NYU, Stanford, and UCLA, as well as transportation, weekend excursions, and more.