Several sources provide salary-related information for career paths you may wish to explore.
These include salary reports by industry groups, placement services, human resources departments,
and web sites (see Appendix A). Many companies have information on their web sites about how to
contact the human resources department. Even if a particular company is not advertising the type of
job you desire, someone in the department may be willing to speak to you for a few minutes or answer
a respectful email in which you explain that you are seeking an appropriate starting salary for a hypothetical
person in a specific position for that industry. When conducting salary-related research,
be realistic! Do not assume that you can begin as an investment banker and earn a million dollars
the first year. Also, realize that an average salary for a particular job title may not be accurate for an
entry-level person.