Although the famed American novelist Jack Kerouac is certainly not the first person to have taken a road trip, his mid-twentieth-century jaunts across the US, immortalized in his second novel, On the Road, are probably the only ones that defined a generation.

Kerouac's odyssey brought him a host of adventures, including new friends, new places to live and new jobs, which would ultimately shape his future. But today, travelling, visiting new places and being on the move has also become an important concept when it comes to thinking about a career in the New Economy. Trends like globalization, alternative working styles and self-employment have changed where, when and how we work, and have given rise to increased opportunities for travel. So what does that mean for you? Well, pack your bags, and let's find out.

In this issue of Career Paths, we invite you to come along on a little road trip. We've planned a great scenic route, complete with five interesting travel companions, some catchy tunes, an incredible car (think Mustang convertible), and a lot of learning along the way.

Among our stops will be 10 particular points of interest where you'll have the opportunity to explore something new, either about yourself or about the world around you and how you fit into it. You'll examine your values and determine which skills will be essential along your career journey. You'll also explore your interests and learn about careers in a variety of fields. Then, you'll match your interests to a selection of actual jobs and begin learning about some of your possible career matches. Finally, you'll start to research your career interests and create an action plan for your future. And of course, you'll have the chance to eat at a few roadside diners, change a flat tire or two and take your turn at the wheel.

A journey is not just a movement from point A to point B-it is the experience of going forward, of growing and changing as you experience new things. When you arrive at your destination, you aren't quite the same person you were when you started your trip. That's because every person you meet, every pit stop you make, every tire you learn to change and every photograph you take becomes an integral part of who you are. And as you begin to build a collection of skills, experiences and knowledge throughout your journey, you'll find that you'll also become a richer, more mature and highly developed individual, characteristics that will make your career and life experiences all the more successful.

So buckle up and start the engine. As Kerouac wrote, "It's an anywhere road for anybody anyhow." Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.