What’s New in JCEC

A lot has been happening in the Job, Career and Education Center lately.

We’ve scheduled spring dates for our Skills for Success speaker series, starting with Job Hunting after 50 in April.  (We’ve tried to address topics of interest to our customers, so if there’s something you’d like to learn more about, please let us know!)

Due to their overwhelming popularity in 2011, we’re offering more Resume and Cover Letter Assistance appointments.  They’ll now be held on Tuesday afternoons, in addition to Wednesday evenings.  Registration is required and openings book up quickly, so call soon.

Job Club, our discussion group that provides job hunting support and networking opportunities, returns on February 29th.  There is often a theme or activity for each meeting, but feel free to bring any job hunting questions or concerns you may have.

We’ve also started giving Mock Interviews, on Mondays from 11-12.  There is no registration; just walk in and speak to a staff member.

And in addition to our monthly JobWire email newsletter we’re now sending Job Watch updates, in which we pass along the latest openings and job fairs that cross our desk.  To subscribe, email jcec@carnegielibrary.org with Job Watch / JobWire in the subject line.

Since JCEC and the PC Center have joined forces, our services have started to overlap.  You can now see all of both departments’ events in one handy calendar.  There is always a link to the most current calendar on this page, and we send a link in the JobWire newsletter when the new one is ready.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to register for one of our programs, please stop by, call (412) 622 – 3133, or send us an email.

FREE Computer Training at Your Public Library

Nearly every day I come across a story in the news about lingering unemployment and the havoc it’s wreaking on our country. Across these stories there runs a theme: many of the newly unemployed lack computer skills, a major detriment to finding employment in an economy where industry is out and service work is in.

Fortunately, many public libraries, including this one, offer free computer training to anyone who wants it. At our PC Center, our friendly staff teach classes on everything from Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to learning about email and navigating the World Wide Web. All you have to do is register and get yourself to the class!

Isn’t it odd that a free public service that provides help in the midst of one of our country’s greatest crises is still facing budget cuts? Don’t forget to spread the word to your local and state leaders that public libraries need their support!

–Wes