The second book is "Green Careers For Dummies," by Carol McClelland, available January/February 2010. Also see her Web site, Green Career Central (greencareercentral.com).
DEAR JOYCE: News reports say that well-educated women who dropped out of the labor market years ago to become full-time moms are now trying their best to get back into the workplace. It's the economy. They need the money. I'm in that same boat, but the cost of child care makes it a wash for the starting salaries I'm finding. What are other would-be working moms doing about their kids when they can even get a job? -- M.B.
Re-entry women are trying low-cost child-care solutions ranging from family and neighbors to after-school programs and working short hours away from home. The magazine Working Mother says that despite more working women becoming their families' primary breadwinners, the country at large is shifting away from family-friendly benefits.
But there are star companies that have demonstrated their unwavering dedication to family-friendly benefits -- including pre-tax FSAs (flexible spending accounts) for child care, flextime, telecommuting, and job-sharing programs.
Working Mother's 100 Best Companies 2009 awards are listed in the October issue of the magazine and at workingmother.com.
DEAR JOYCE: I am a junior in high school, adore sports and want a career where athletics is important. What? -- J.M.
Look at Adidas' new careers site. This one's different in that it features professional athletes who guide visitors to the various jobs at the company. Find it at this site: adidas-group.com. The site is slow-loading, but sports buffs will love it once it gets moving.