NYPL Blogs: Job Search Central

Free Job Training for Community Health Workers

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:20:14 -0400

CUNY Career PATH is a low-to no cost program funded by the grant program of the U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training, also know as TAACCCT.

In order to ensure career advancement and successful college transition, CUNY Career PATH participants are given career-focused academic and English language skills instruction, job training leading to industry-recognized credentials and college credits, academic advisement, career counseling and employment assistance.

Hostos Community College, City University of New York, provides a Community Health Worker Program which trains community residents of South Bronx and Northern Manhattan who meet the eligibility requirements to join the healthcare workforce as Community Health Workers.

Community Health Workers are public health professionals who help bridge gaps between different populations and healthcare or social service systems by providing outreach, basic health education, referrals and follow-up service, case management, advocacy and home visiting services.

The training consists of 120 hours centered around community health worker core competencies, and contemporary health issues such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and chronic disease self-management.

An additional 30 hours are devoted to help participants with their academic skills in reading, writing and math.

Following the classroom training, participants will spend 30 hours shadowing experienced community health workers as part of their practicum.

Participants will earn 9 credits toward a Community Health A.S. (Associate degree in Science).

Eligibility Criteria

Adult, 18 years or older
High School Diploma or GED
Demonstrated academic and/or English language instruction needs
Interested in getting a college degree
Legally authorized to work in the United States
Unemployed, a dislocated or TAA-eligible worker, or a worker at risk of losing a job or seeking career advancement.

Upcoming information session dates.

Tuesday, May 14     10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21     10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 4    10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 11    10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18    10 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, please call 718-518-6831
Hostos Community college is at 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451.

If you want to learn more about free job training programs, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Career Path Workshop Series at Francis Martin, June 3: Know Your Professional Self

Iftekharul Kabir, Bronx Library Center — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:52:13 -0400

Are you ready to explore your potential? If yes! Save the date. Meet our dynamic Career Coach Robyn Saunders and let her work with you. Come and join this FREE informative series workshop at your local Francis Martin Library.

Career and Education Information Service

Francis Martin Library
2150 University Avenue
Bronx, NY 10453

Career Path Workshop Series

Monday
June 3rd, 2013
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Know Your Professional Self

Identify personal qualities, values, and goals
Analyze ideals and principles that are important to you
Integrate personal and professional choices
Match career paths with personal interest

To Register:

Come in to sign up or e-mail:
robynsaunders@nypl.org or iftekharulkabir@nypl.org

Note: Seating is limited to 20 persons

For more information, view a flyer (PDF) about additional series workshops that are coming up in June 2013.

Free Job Training in Green Advanced Manufacturing

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:32:04 -0400

Are you 24 or over and are looking for a career in the green advanced manufacturing industry?

Green Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (GAMC), a partnership between New York City College of Technology's Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology and Industrial Design and the Business and Industry Training Center, is responsive to workforce education needs of NYC's revitalized manufacturing sector. The program rallies resources and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, economic and workforce development agencies, unions and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to help individuals navigate a career path through cutting edge technology education while contributing to the growth of the nation's competitive edge in manufacturing.

City Tech, CUNY's designated college of technology, offers stackable, credit-bearing industry-recognized credentials in Mechanical Engineering Technology and Industrial Design Technology. Eligible adult learners, committed to the pursuit of collegiate study and promising careers in the manufacturing sector, if accepted, will receive fully paid college education; wrap-around academic, job placement, and other support services.,

Program participants can attend college part-time or full-time and earn industry credentials leading to associate degrees.

Students will receive credit-bearing Industry Recognized Credentials (8-12 month program) and/or Associate Degrees (18-24 month program) in the field of Green Advanced manufacturing.
Fully paid college tuition and textbooks
Industry-based curriculum taught by the college faculty in state-of-the art labs
Support services and skills for success at college
Prep courses in English and math
Advisement, counseling, and tutoring
Job placement assistance or skill upgrading for career advancement

Employment Opportunities:

Industrial Engineering Technician
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programmer and Operator
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Commercial and Industrial Design Assistant
CAD Designer/Operator
Industrial Product Designer
CAD/CAM Programmer
Mechanical Designer
Senior/Junior Quality Assurance Inspector
Testing Technician
Machinist

Are you Eligible?

18 years old (preferably 24 or older)
High School Diploma/GED or college credits
US citizenship or legally authorized to work in the US
Displaced workers, incumbent workers, veterans, unemployed, underemployed and prospective college students
Take the CUNY Assessment Test (CAT)
Demonstrate strong math skills

The CareerPATH program in Manufacturing continues to accept application for the Summer and Fall Semesters.

All information sessions are held at the City Tech Campus in Downtown Brooklyn at 300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

For information or to reserve a seat at the next information session, please call CareerPATH Program Advisor at 718-552-1150 or email at gamc@citytech.cuny.edu.

If you want to learn more about free job training programs and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Fortifying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education: A National Policy

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:28:18 -0400

Our nation is going through an education reform with a focus on the knowledge and skills for the jobs of the future. The White House issued this statement, "The strength of the American economy is inextricably linked to the strength of America's education system. Now more than ever, the American economy needs a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, creative, and equipped for success in the global marketplace."

The following information is excerpted from The White House—Reform for the Future.

President Obama has consistently called for improvement in STEM education to move America's students to the top of the pack by enabling all students to learn deeply and think critically in science and math; expanding STEM education opportunities for students from all backgrounds, and building partnerships among educators, businesses and community partners to support advances in STEM education.

Obama's Administration has promoted several successful STEM initiatives, including

Prioritizing STEM education in Race to the Top, which is a K-12 education reform program in raising standards and aligning policies and structures to the goal of college and career readiness.
Investing in Innovation fund
Improving the coordination of STEM education initiatives between the Department of Education and National Science Foundation.
Promoting over 100 industry partners in their efforts to boost STEM learning through Change the Equation, which is a part of the Educate to Innovate education reform program.

Obama's administration has focused the STEM agenda further in 2012 to address the following two goals:

Excellent teachers, with content knowledge, mastery of how to teach the content, and ability to motivate students in STEM subjects and careers
Improving undergraduate STEM teaching, setting a trajectory of producing one million additional STEM degrees over the next decade, as recently recommended by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

The President has issued a national challenge to prepare 100,000 effective STEM teachers and has requested $80 million for a competition by the Department of Education to support effective STEM teaching preparation programs.

Change the Equation, a part of Educate to Innovate campaign, is a CEO-led effort as a response by the business community to the President's "call to action" at the National Academy of Sciences in spring 2009 for all Americans to join the cause of elevating STEM education as a national priority essential to meeting the economic challenges of this century. Change the Equation is in a unique position to meet its three goals of:

Great teaching: Improving STEM teaching at all grade levels.
Inspired Learners: Inspiring student appreciation and excitement for STEM, especially among women and under-represented minorities
A Committed Nation: Achieving a sustained commitment to improving STEM education.

Change the Equation: New public private partnerships and commitments:

"Youth Inspired Challenge" by a coalition of science centers and museums
Transforming Libraries and Museums into 21st Century Learning Labs.
National STEM Video Game Challenge
Raytheon's New STEM Tool for State Policymakers
National Math Science Initiative's (NMSI) To Assist Military Families
Nature Publishing's "Bridge to Science" Program for Parents and Scientists
New Efforts to Bring Passions of Scientists and Engineers into Classrooms
Multi-Year Investments in STEM Programs

STEM jobs are good now and for the future. However, STEM careers are not for everyone. If you are not sure what kind of career to pursue, why not try the Job Search Central post, Resources for Choosing a Satisfying Career, and Where the Jobs Are: U.S. Employment Projections, these blog posts may help you make an important decision in your career development.

For more information on STEM education, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

An Employer's Guide to Equal Pay

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:23:38 -0400

In addressing the Equal Pay Gap, the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor recently released two guides on Equal Pay, A guide to Women's Equal Pay Rights and An Employer's Guide to Equal Pay. These guides are also published in four additional languages: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and French, to meet the diverse needs of today's workforce.

The second guide, An Employer's Guide to Equal Pay breaks down the five major federal laws addressing equal pay and compensation. It also highlights tips for employers to review pay practices and where to go for help. The following information is excerpted from this guide.

Major Laws Affecting Equal Pay

There are five major federal laws addressing equal pay and compensation.

Under the Equal Pay Act, all employers must pay equal wages to women and men in the same establishment for performing substantially equal work.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits employers with at least 15 workers from discriminating against their employees on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex or national origin in all terms and conditions of their employment, including pay. Both the Equal Pay Act and Title VII are enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 clarifies that each paycheck containing discriminatory compensation is actionable under Title VII.
Executive Order 11246 prohibits federal contractors, federally-assisted construction contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions, including compensation, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, when these entities' contracts or subcontracts exceed $10,000.
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects the rights of most private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions.

Reviewing Your Pay Practices

Listen to what your managers and employees are saying.
Look at whether and how you monitor your pay practices.
Increase transparency in compensation:

You may want to consider an open pay policy. An open pay policy allows workers to know how much their colleagues are earning. Such a policy can stop speculation about pay—workers will know they are being paid fairly.
Make it clear that top performers are rewarded, which creates an incentive to work harder.
Stop meritless complaints about unequal pay.
Identify pay disparities so they can be fixed.

There is no one correct way to conduct an appropriate evaluation of compensation practices for potential discrimination. Achieving legal compliance and a truly fair and equitable compensation system cannot be reduced to a checklist. You can obtain further compliance assistance from the resources listed below.

For more information on Equal Pay, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

A Guide to Women's Equal Pay Rights

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 06:41:32 -0400

The Women’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor recently released two guides on Equal Pay, A Guide to Women’s Equal Pay Rights and An Employer’s Guide to Equal Pay. These guides are also published in four additional languages: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and French, to meet the diverse needs of today’s workforce.

A Guide to Women's Equal Pay Rights is designed to help working women understand their rights under certain laws that govern equal pay and compenstion. The following information is excerpted from this guide.

Know Your Rights

Women are legally entitled to equal employment opportunities, including the right to earn a paycheck that is free from unlawful bias, and, in many cases, the right to discuss their pay with colleagues.

What are my equal pay and compensation rights under federal law?

Men and women must be paid equal wages if they perform substantially the same work under the Equal Pay Act.
Your employer cannot discriminate against you on the basis of your race, color, religion, sex or national origin in any terms or conditions of your employment, including compensation, hours and benefits.
If you have received an unfair paycheck within the last 180 days, you can file discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
If you work for a federal contractor, Executive Order (EO) 11246 prohibits your employer from discriminating in employment decisions, including compensation, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin
Most private sector employees have the right to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages and working conditions under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

What can you do if you think you’re experiencing compensation discrimination?

Try to resolve the situation informally, such as meeting with your supervisor to discuss your concern.
Educate yourself about your rights
Ensure that you keep accurate records.
Check with your state or local agency that administers state or local anti-discrimination laws.
Obtain legal assistance, if necessary.

You can obtain further assistance from the resources below:

For more information on women's equal pay rights, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Closing the Equal Pay Gap: 50 Years and Counting

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:14:57 -0400

President Barack Obama officially declared Tuesday, April 9, 2013 as National Equal Pay Day. In a statement issued Monday, April 8, Obama said, "Women, who make up nearly half of our nation's workforce, face a pay gap that means they earn 23 percent less on average than men do. This disparity is even greater for African-American women and Latinas. On National Equal Pay Day, we recognize this injustice by marking how far into the new year women have to work just to make what men did in the previous one."

Latifa Lyles, acting director of the Labor Department's Women's Bureau, in her official blog of the U.S. Department of Labor, "Closing the Equal Pay Gap: 50 Years and Counting," stated, "In 2013, 50 years after the signing of the Equal Pay Act—the true parity is still elusive even though women currently make up nearly half of the workforce… For millions of working women, the gap means less income to pay for necessities like housing, clothes and food. It's less income to pay for their children's education. And it's less to go toward retirement. All of these reasons make equal pay more than just a women's issue; it impacts families, communities—the whole economy."

Latifa Lyles in her blog invites the public to join her for a Web chat this Friday, April 12, at 1 p.m. EDT to learn more about steps to close the pay gap taken by the department's Women's Bureau and its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. The department's chief economist, Dr. Jennifer Hunt, also will be able to answer questions about current statistics and the gap's economic impact.

You can also learn about Women in the Labor Force from the February 2013 Report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For more information on Equal Pay Gap, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

LINK: Leveraging Innovations and our Neighborhoods in the Knowledge Economy

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:31:36 -0400

As the nation is going through an education reform to Race to the Top and Educate to Innovate, Mayor Bloomberg of the Big Apple is following suit in developing education programs inline with the national policy in general and meeting the education and employment needs of the New Yorkers in particular.

Besides developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in the public school system and higher education, Mayor Bloomberg is ensuring that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to succeed in the knowledge economy by building bridges to enable low-income New Yorkers to secure jobs in growing sectors that are critical to New York City's 21st century economy.

On March 25, 2013, Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced the LINK (Leveraging Innovations and our Neighborhoods in the Knowledge Economy) Initiative, eight new programs designed to connect low-income New Yorkers with opportunities in the city's knowledge economy.

According to Mayor Bloomberg's office that these eight programs are designed to strengthen the skills and employability of low income New Yorkers and to foster business activity that provides employment opportunities for those with less formal training, helping to alleviate key challenges that prevent many from moving up the economic ladder.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is working with partners, including Human Resources Administration, the Center for Economic Opportunity and Small Business Services in implementing pilots of eight initiatives which serve to better connect the city's low-income residents with emerging opportunities.

LEAP, The "Learn as you Earn" Advancement Program: Seeks to increase the employability of Associate's degree and Certificate program candidates in the knowledge economy through paid work experience combined with workplace-relevant classroom learning. The program will focus on in-demand occupations and will seek to improve graduation/completion rates at community colleges. For example: A student working on their Certificate or Associate's degree in healthcare IT at CUNY's New York City College of Technology would get a paid internship (by the employer) at a technology company or financial services firm rather than working in a field unrelated to their area of study.

Immigrant Bridge Program: A program to increase the earnings potential of unemployed or underemployed, foreign-trained immigrants with advanced degrees and in-demand skills (e.g., accounting, engineering, medicine), by helping them create individualized career plans, providing them with soft skills training, and assisting with the job search process. Participants also have access to a microloan opportunity to receive $1,000–$10,000 loans for educational and/or general personal expenses incurred while pursuing a higher-paid, technical job. For example: A doctor with a degree from the Dominican Republic working in a service job would be able to complete the program and be employed as a medical researcher or radiologist, potentially earning $15,000 to $30,000 more per year.

DigitalWork NYC: Targets young adults ages 16-26 who are neither in school nor working to increase awareness of online work opportunities that allow participants to earn money completing digital tasks (e.g., transcription, image tagging, etc.), build an employment history, and create a pathway to digital employment. For example: A young adult currently not attending school or working could complete the program and develop a resume demonstrating proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as work history in the field. This now makes it more likely that the individual will find a job or internship in the technology field.

Jobs and Economic Mobility Track in NYC BigApps: Aims to create innovative "apps" to improve the lives of disadvantaged New Yorkers via technology platforms. The program will initially focus on the development of mobile applications relating to workforce opportunities (e.g., job listings) and worker support services (e.g., childcare, healthcare, transit, etc.).For example: This program will create apps that could assist a young adult looking to work in hospitality find a job in the field within a 30-minute subway ride. The program could also lead to an app that would find accommodating daycare facilities for parents looking to begin working.

NYC Business Innovation Challenge: A five-borough, dual-round competition that challenges businesses, service-providers and community groups to unlock the potential in NYC's workforce and neighborhoods by incentivizing businesses to invest in their employees. For example: A business could submit an idea to train their workers or provide ESL courses to help the workers become managers.

Vacant Lot Activation Program: Will put long-term vacant city-owned land to productive use through a variety of alternative and temporary uses. The pilot will focus on an area in Brownsville and East New York. For example: A long vacant lot in East New York could house a pop-up store in the fall, which would bring jobs to the neighborhood and help a retailer test a new market.

PROGRESS Networks: Develops consortia of small- to medium-sized business enterprises to leverage economies of scale so as to lower the cost of doing business or investing in workers. Lower costs and/or higher revenues will allow firms to provide enhanced worker benefits and services and hire more workers. For example: A Chamber of Commerce or BID could bring its members together and create a purchasing network where they can pool their buying power. These entities could purchase training for their employees or goods and services at a lower cost, thereby investing in their workers, and improving their bottom line by investing those savings into their business, leading to future growth and the hiring of more workers.

LIFT Entrepreneurship: Supports low-income entrepreneurs as they start and grow businesses by providing business incubator space, technical support, access to loans, and partnerships with local anchor institutions. The first of two LIFT sites will be located in the Norwood/Fordham area in the Bronx. For example: the program will work with local residents in the Bronx to expand their existing businesses or help individuals with business plans designed to assist these local businesses.

The above information is an announcement from the Mayor's office. Please stay tuned for further development of these programs.

For more information on free job training, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Free Job Training for Medical Office Assistants

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:59:10 -0400

The City University of New York was awarded $19.86 million through the United States Department of Labor's Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant program to offer CUNY Career Path, a three–year program aimed at supporting adult students in career advancement and successful college transition, and building CUNY's capacity to serve adult workers.

Queensborough Community College receives major award from the U.S. Department of Labor for allied health career training and workforce development.

Denise Ward, Project Director and Dean for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Queensborough Community College said, "We are thrilled to be sponsoring this unique opportunity for job-seeking New Yorkers. Well-trained and certified workers in the allied healthcare field are in demand in New York City and attainment of these skills, certifications and college degrees are a sound stepping-stone for entrée into area healthcare institutions and group doctors' office. We will be able to serve hundreds of job seekers during the next three years and hope that many displaced workers will take advantage of this essentially free offering."

Queensborough Community College is offering a Career PATH Medical Office Assistant program:

Earn 3 college credits
American Heart Association Certification
National Healthcare Association Certification

Support services available

Remedial educational programs
Career counseling
Life skills support
Job preparedness and placement
Internships

Minimum Eligibility

18 years old and up
Displaced or unemployed
New York State resident
U.S. work authorized
10th grade reading Level
High school diploma or GED
Not currently enrolled in a CUNY program
Desire to go to college (participants must take the CUNY Assessment Test)

Open House Days

Open house recruitment will be on Thursday, April 11, 2013 and Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 10 a.m. sharp, at the Chinese-American Planning Council Workforce Development Division, 165 Eldridge Street, 2nd floor New York, NY 10002.

Travel directions: Take the B, D trains to Grand Street, or take the F train to Delancy Street.

For more information, please call 212-941-0041.

The Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc., which was founded in 1965, is one of the largest non-profit providers of educational, social and community services for Asian-Americans in the U.S. As it enters the 5th decade of community service, it presents a new era of service to the world wide web community with over 70 social services and 29 locations in New York City. You can learn more about the Chinese-American Planning Council...

To learn more about CUNY Career-Path free job training programs, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:25:49 -0400

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration recently released a report, STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future (PDF), that profiles U.S. employment in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

This report is based on analysis to date from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey and Current Population Survey that provide new insights into the growing STEM workforce that is central to the U.S. economic vitality. In this report, STEM jobs are defined to include professional and technical support occupations in the fields of computer science, mathematics, engineering, and life and physical sciences.

The following is the Executive Summary of the report presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers drive our nation's innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies and new industries. However, U.S. businesses frequently voice concerns over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs was three times as fast as growth in non-STEM jobs. STEM workers are also less likely to experience joblessness than their non-STEM counterparts. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future.

In 2010, there were 7.6 million STEM workers in the United States, representing about 1 in 18 workers.
STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17.0 percent from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.
STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.
More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers.
STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM occupations.

Two Appendix Tables are listed at the end of the report:

Appendix Table 1. Detailed STEM occupations and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes
Appendix Table 2. Detailed STEM undergraduate majors.

These two tables provide important information for students and workers to prepare good jobs now and for the future. However, STEM careers are not for everyone. Please note that business, health care and social science occuaptions and majors are not included in this report. If you are not sure what kind of career to pursue, the Job Search Central blog, Resources for Choosing a Satisfying Career, will help you make an important decision in your career development.

You can learn more about STEM occuaptions and other occuaptions from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2013, which is a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor.

You can also learn more about this career cluster, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, from O*NET, the Occupational Information Network, which provides comprehensive information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations, (O*NET is created for the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration by the National Center for O*NET Development).

If you want to learn more about STEM occupations and other occupations, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

For People with Disabilities: A Ticket to Work

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:52:12 -0400

According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, more than 13 million working-age people in the U.S. receive Social Security disability benefits; that's almost one in every 15 adults. Some may consider returning to work, but have important concerns regarding health care, cash benefits, job placement and job accommodations. The good news is that Social Security's Ticket to Work program that supports career development for people with disabilities is here to help.

The following is an overview of the Ticket to Work program and how it works from the Social Security Administration.

Overview

Social Security's Ticket to Work program supports career development for people with disabilities who want to work. Social Security disability beneficiaries 18 through 64 qualify. The Ticket program is free and voluntary and exists specifically to help people with disabilities progress toward financial self-sufficiency. The Ticket program is a good fit for people who would like to improve their earning potential and who are committed to preparing for long-term success in the workforce. Ticket to Work offers beneficiaries with disabilities improved access to meaningful employment with the help of specialized providers. If you are ready to go to work, Ticket to Work Incentives professionals are available to help you.

The career development services and support you need are unique to you. The Ticket program can connect you with a variety of free employment support services that will best serve you.

The Ticket program and Work Incentives allow you to keep your benefits while you explore employment, receive vocational rehabilitation, or gain work experience. Cash benefits often continue throughout your transition to work and are eliminated only when you maintain a level of earnings, known as Substantial Gainful Activity.

How It Works

You became eligible to participate in the Ticket to Work program when you started receiving SSDI or SSI benefits based on disability. Social Security no longer sends paper tickets in the mail, but don't worry-you don't need a paper Ticket to participate. Participation in the Ticket program is free and voluntary; If you decide to participate, you can contact any authorized provider in your area to see the services they offer are right for you. These providers, called Employment Networks (ENs), offer specialized services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training. Feel free to talk with as many ENs as you would like to see what they have to offer! You may also receive services from your local vocational rehabilitation agency and then receive ongoing services from an EN.

Work Incentives that go with the Ticket to Work Program

Work Incentives make it possible for you to explore work while receiving health care and cash benefits; they are designed to help you succeed!

You may keep your Medicaid/Medicare while you work.
You have access to individualized support services.
You can select part-time or work-from-home alternatives to help you reach your goal of financial independence.
You can try work with confidence, knowing your benefits continue during your transition period.

The Ticket to Work program is just one of many Work Incentives available to you. When you assign your Ticket to an Employment Network, you are eligible for several Work Incentives:

Trial Work Period (TWP) for SSDI recipients only.

The TWP allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months. During your TWP, you will receive full SSDI benefits no matter how much you earn as long as your work activity is reported and you have a disabling impairment.

Expedited Reinstatement (EXR) for SSDI and SSI recipients

If your benefits stopped because of your earnings level, you can request to have your benefits reinstated without having to complete a new application. While Social Security determines your benefits reinstatement, you are eligible to receive temporary benefits for up to six months.

Protection from Medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) for SSDI and SSI recipients

You will not have to undergo a medical continuing disability review (CDR) while you are participating in the Ticket to Work program.

One of the best ways to learn more about Work Incentives including the Ticket to Work program is to attend a free Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISER) online webinar. The Ticket to Work program hosts an accessible online event for you and your family to learn about Work Incentives, including Ticket to work. You can join a webinar on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Register online or call 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866 -833-2967 (TTY)

If you want to learn more about Social Security's Ticket to Work program, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:02:35 -0400

Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, was launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's network of 1600 state and local chambers and other strategic partners for the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Visit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation site to learn more.

The following information is from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair, sponsored by Capital One and Toyota, will take place on March 27, 2013, at the 69th Regiment Armory. This fair is a unique FREE hiring fair for employers and members of our military community — veterans, active duty servicemembers, members of the guard and reserves, and military spouse job seekers.

Job seekers are encouraged to show up early. From 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., we will be raffling off (5) $100 Banana Republic Gift cards and (5) Google Chromebooks (MSRP $249) to all of the early-bird job seekers at 6:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. You must come before 7:30 a.m. to be eligible to win. We will also have a number of exciting tools, including a “Personal Branding” Resume Builder available for all job seekers to use. NBC’s Today Show and WNBC will be covering the hiring fair live starting at 6:00 a.m.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce 's Hiring Our Heroes event is sponsored by Capital One and Toyota and co-sponsored locally by the New York National Guard, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, NYS Department of Labor, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), the U. S. Department of Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, The American Legion, and NBC News.

March 27, 2013

Registration opens at 6:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
69th Regiment Armory
68 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10010
For more information: Please contact: CSM (Ret) Robert VanPelt, at Robert.w.vanpelt@us.army.mil or 518-786-4605.

Registration

Not accepting Educational Institutions registration at this time.
If you need assistance registering, please contact us at hiringourheroes@uschamber.com or 202-463-5807.

Event Flyer (PDF)

Employer List as of 22 February (PDF)

New York City Employment Workshop - GE Veterans Network Transition Assistance Program

The employment workshop consists of a classroom session followed by GE's own veteran employees conducting one-on-one mentoring sessions with all pre-registered participants. Mentoring sessions focus on resume building, resume writing, and interviewing techniques for all job-seeking veteran and service member participants.

Interested candidates must complete the FREE electronic pre-registration in order to participate. A maximum of 50 participants will be accepted for the full workshop. Once the pre-registered candidates have their coaching sessions, the opportunity may be available for “walk ins” to have a coaching session through the end of the Fair (depending on availability). Please sign up here.

Online Tools for Veterans and Spouses

Hiring Our Heroes has launched an online partnership with Military.com to complement our face to face hiring fair efforts across the country. Veterans can get help writing resumes and interview tips; translating military skills, experience, and training into related civilian careers; and finding current lists of employment opportunities with military-friendly employers. More information.

If you want to learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Hiring our Heroes Job Fair, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Free Job Training: Allied Health Career Pipeline Program

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:35:37 -0400

Hostos Community College's Department of Continuing Education and Professional Studies of the City University of New York (CUNY) was awarded a Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families to operate an enhanced allied health training and internship program, which is to be located at Hostos' main campus in the south Bronx and the satellite campus in Upper Manhattan.

The Hostos Allied Health Career Pipeline program will train over 900 public assistance recipients and other low-income individuals over the five-year project period.

Hostos is currently recruiting for the following courses:

Patient Care Technicians (PCTs)
Community Health Workers
Pharmacy Technicians
New York State Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)
Health Information Technology
Hemodialysis Technicians

Eligibility Requirements

Program participation will require that you must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Pass a background check and drug screen
Have an aptitude, experience and /or strong interest in health care in allied health
Meet income eligibility requirements
Meet minimum education and English language requirements (High School Diploma/GED preferred)
Provide proof that you can legally work in the United States
Provide documentation to determine eligibility
Be able to attend, fully participate, and successfully complete all aspects of the program

Intake and Assessment

In addition to meeting the above eligibility requirements, student candidates:

Take a TABE Test in Reading and Math to meet educational levels for specific courses
Complete and submit medical and drug clearance forms
Participate in the intake conference session

For more information, please call (718) 664-2537

The Pipeline program will also offer health-career contextualized GED exam preparation for individuals who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Participants will receive supportive services that include case management, childcare, transportation assistance, examination preparation courses, tutoring, enhanced career-focused internships, and job placement and retention assistance.

The emphasis of the Pipeline program is to encourage participants to focus on long-term career goals. Graduate of the Pipeline Program will receive career and academic counseling for admission to Hostos' LPN certificate and allied health career associate degree programs.

Hostos Community college is at 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451.

For more free job training programs, please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Free Job Training in Cable Installation

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:41:59 -0400

Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) helps unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers establish careers in sectors that offer good wages and opportunities for advancement.

Currently BWI offers free job training programs in four industries: telecommunications cable installation, skilled woodworking, TV and film production, and commercial driving.

Brooklyn Networks is an exciting and challenging telecommunications cable installation program that allows its students to earn an internationally recognized certificate — BICSI (Building Industry Consulting Services International) with hands-on training.

Brooklyn Networks is a 6 week intensive hands-on-training program that will help you start a career in the field of network cable installation.
Cable Technicians install the lines that run behind walls and ceilings that are hooked up to computers, telephones, security systems, A/V equipment and broadcast cable.
Job placement assistance is available so you can put your new skills to work.

To be eligible you must meet all of the following criteria:

Live in New York City & be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
21 years or older
Have a clean, valid NY State Driver's License (If you do not have one, New York Drives is another free program for you provided by Brooklyn Workforce Innovations)
Pass a drug test and be physically fit/able to lift 70 lbs
Able to attend class Monday-Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes are held on the New York City College of Technology campus
Be unemployed, have a low income or receive public assistance

BWI welcomes individuals with past criminal convictions to apply.

Brooklyn Networks graduates are trained in a custom-built lab located at New York City Technical College. Seasoned telecommunications professionals teach the course, providing both technical expertise and a "real–world" atmosphere throughout the training. To receive their certificate, students must pass rigorous written and hands-on examinations.

Brooklyn Networks graduates are certified through the internationally recognized BICSI curriculum. BICSI serves 20,000 member companies, including firms in every U.S. state and 75 countries around the world. A recent survey of 1,000 end-users of cabling systems revealed that 48% of them preferred that their technicians be BICSI certified — the highest score of any certification in the survey.

Companies employing Brooklyn Networks graduates include: Cable Vision, Cables and Chips, Netversant, New York University, Nycom, TekSystems, Time Warner Cable, and Uni-Tel technologies.

You can learn more about Brooklyn Networks by attending an orientation. You will also be given a reading and math test.

Brooklyn Networks Cable Installation Training Program is recruiting for its March class. In order to be eligible for the March class, you must attend the orientation on Tuesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. sharp (No RSVP required).

Orientations are held every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. sharp at Brooklyn Networks for all future classes.

Brooklyn Networks is at 621 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Accessible by the R Train to Union Street. From Union Street Station go 2 blocks down 4th towards the clock tower and make a left on Degraw Street, or the 2, 3, 4, 5, N, B, D, Q Trains to Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center. From Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center station go 8 blocks down 4th and make a right onto Degraw Street.

For more information call 718-237-2017 ext. 149 or ext. 182.

You can learn about line installers and repairers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013.

The following information is important qualities of line installers and repairers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013:

Color vision. Workers who handle electrical wires and cables must be able to distinguish colors because the wires and cables are often color coded.
Mechanical skills. Line installers and repairers must have the knowledge and skills to repair or replace complex electrical and telecommunications lines and equipment.
Physical strength. Line installers and repairers must be strong enough to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on a regular basis.
Stamina. Line installers and repairers often must climb poles and work at great heights with heavy tools and equipment. Therefore, these workers must be able to be physically active for long periods without tiring.
Teamwork. Because workers often rely on their fellow crew members for the safety, teamwork is critical.
Technical skills. Line installers use sophisticated diagnostic equipment on circuit breakers, switches, and transformers. They must be familiar with electrical systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.
Troubleshooting skills. Line installers and repairers must be able to diagnose problems in increasingly complex electrical systems and telecommunication lines workers who drive company vehicles usually need a commercial driver's license.

If you want to learn more about line installers and repairers or other kinds of occupations please visit the Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Free Job Training in Woodworking

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:30:13 -0400

Are you an unemployed or underemployed New Yorker who has some experience or skill working with your hands? Do you have a desire for a career in a wood-related trade? If so, attend an orientation to get more information and to apply.

Brooklyn Woods is a program of Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI) which helps low-income New Yorkers establish careers in different job sectors which include voice and data telecommunications cable installation, woodworking and cabinetmaking, TV and film production and commercial driving.

Brooklyn Woods trains individuals in the basics of woodworking, preparing them for entry-level jobs in woodwork and related fields. Upon successful completion of the program job placement assistance is provided.

This free 7-week, full time training course (Mon-Fri From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) includes instructions in:

The proper use of hand tools, power tools and woodworking machinery
An introduction to finishing and sanding, veneering, wood identification, and read shop drawings
How to cut, machine, sand and assemble a cabinet
Shop math and measurement
Comprehensive safety training including a 10-hour OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) course
Soft skills training to aid in getting and keeping employment
Job placement assistance (for successful graduates)

To be Eligible Applicants MUST:

Have minimal or some experience working with wood or as a laborer, as a carpenter's helper, in a trade or working with your hands.
Have a strong interest in working in woodworking or a related field as a career
Be unemployed or underemployed
Be able to attend class Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 7 weeks
Be 21 years or older
Resident of NYC; Eligible to work in the U.S.
Be physically fit/able to lift 70 lbs.
Pass an 8th grade reading test and 6th grade math test

Individuals receiving food stamps and/or with criminal justice issues are highly encouraged to apply.

Next cycle free job training in woodworking will begin in late March 2013. The next two orientations are on Wednesday, March 13th at 10 a.m. and Wednesday, March 20th at 10 a.m.

Call 718-389-3636 to confirm but you do not need to RSVP or pre-register.

Brooklyn Woods free job training in woodworking runs 5 cycles per year. Orientations are held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. for future cycles.

Please bring Photo ID and be prepared to spend about 3 hours at the facility. You will fill out an application, receive detailed information about the program, tour the state-of-the art workshop, and complete reading, math and measurement tests.

Location: 125 8th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Avenue) in Brooklyn.

Subway: Take R Train to 9th Street or F/G Trains to 4th Avenue. Walk north on 4th Avenue to 8th Street and make a left. Walk down 8th Street, cross 3rd Avenue and continue until you see a gray metal door marked125. Ring the buzzer for Brooklyn Woods which is located on the 2nd floor.

Car drivers: please note that street parking is extremely difficult to find on 8th Street and the surrounding blocks.

For information, please contact Toby Gardner, Program Coordinator 718-389-3636 X12 or email tgardner@bwiny.org

Please note that according to the Employment Projections 2010-2020 of the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected rapid job growth for carpenters. Helpers and carpenters are also listed as the Fastest Growing Occuaptions.

You can learn more about woodworkers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013:

The following are important qualities for woodworkers from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Detail oriented. Woodworkers must pay attention to details to be certain that the products meet specifications and to keep themselves safe.
Dexterity. Woodworkers must make precise cuts with a variety of saws, so they need a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination.
Math skills. Knowledge of basic math and computer skills are important, particularly for those who work in manufacturing, where technology continues to advance. Woodworkers need to understand geometry to visualize how the wood pieces will fit together to make a 3-dimensional object, such as a cabinet or a piece of furniture.
Mechanical skills. Modern technology systems require woodworkers be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor.
Physical strength. Woodworkers must be strong enough to lift bulky and heavy sheets of wood, such as plywood.
Stamina. The ability to endure long periods of standing and repetitious movements is crucial for woodworkers, as they often stand for extended periods when manufacturing parts and products.
Technical skills. Woodworkers must be able to understand blueprints and technical manuals for a range of products and machines.
Troubleshooting skills. To avoid unnecessary and costly waste, woodworkers must recognize mistakes during the manufacturing or finishing process.

You can also learn about carpenters from the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013.

For more information on woodworking or other kinds of occupations please visit Job Search Central at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Booktalking "The Person Who Changed My Life: Prominent Americans Recall Their Mentors" edited by Matilda Cuomo

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:19:31 -0400

This book reads like a brief biography of prominent people, and it includes their essays about the people who influenced their lives. It focuses on the importance of mentoring in young people's lives. Matilda Cuomo wrote about the fact that it was personally fulfilling for her to see the girls she mentored in Albany succeed in life. Many of the people mentioned their parents as mentors, and some mentioned teachers.

Arthur Caliandro was 35 years old when he met 78-year-old Amos Parrish. Parrish said to him, "I like you. I think I can help you. Would you mind if I adopted you?" This typifies the almost parental-like relationship that mentors have with their mentees. Caliandro wrote, "There are few things more important that any human being can experience than the sincere affirmation of another significant person."

It is interesting to see how famous people have benefitted from mentors in their lives. Cindy Crawford mentioned that she got insights about modelling being a job that focused on making the customers' clothes look as good as possible from photographer Victor Skrebneski. Mario Cuomo was enamored with the world of books. Julia Child started her cooking television show at a time when that was revolutionary. Hugh Downs wrote that rereading classic books at different stages in his life gave him different perspectives on the books. Several people mentioned books and/or authors as mentors.

The Person Who Changed My Life, edited by Matilda Cuomo, 1999

Training New People: I first became enamored of welcoming and training new employees to the ways of the company when I was working in a healthcare communications company in suburban Pennsylvania in 2006. I noticed that new people often found it stressful and difficult to acclimate to a new work environment. In addition, employees that had been with the company for awhile tended to be wary of new people and sometimes hung with their established friends. I discovered that I have a love of and comfort level with new people that not everyone shares.

The reason that I love new people is that I get to learn about their skills, interests and talents. It is also interesting to educate them about the social mores and norms of the company. I try to make explicit what other people sometimes will not say so that they can get a better understanding of how the company works, and consequently they adapt faster. It smooths the transition process for them. The process usually takes a couple of weeks, and it definitely depends on the particular person. Then, the new person becomes established and makes other friends.

Not everyone loves the McDermott welcome wagon, unfortunately. However, there are enough willing participants to make me happy. At the healthcare communications company, I developed my skills in this area. I helped acclimate three medical writers and the manager of a database I was working on. These professionals were so interesting to me. I loved talking to them about their backgrounds. The manager of the database had recruiting experience, and one of the medical writers was a former academic professor. He and I had great fun working together; he was well-published on PubMed, and I heard many stories about his daughter.

I learned much from everyone I welcomed to the company, and each person has different needs. It is so important to tailor the initiation program to individuals' interests and needs. In addition, some people want more help than others. Some employees are more closely aligned with my field, so more professional development can occur with those individuals.

Training Children's Librarians: I came to the library in 2008, where I was very happy to help train new individuals. In a branch in the northeast Bronx, I trained an information assistant on children's services and helped her get used to the company. While I was there, I also remotely trained another information professional at another branch on how to manage a children's department at a small branch. I also visited her branch in the Bronx and demonstrated a toddler story time. We previously met on our very first day of work at a library in the southeastern Bronx.

Providing Reference Training: At one of the larger libraries in the Bronx, I trained several information assistants on the reference department policies of that branch. I helped train a library manager who worked with me at a large branch in Manhattan on an intermittent basis. At a library in the western Bronx, I trained an information professional on the library policies and children's work in a small branch. Admittedly, that was a little bit dicey, as I started at the branch only one week before she did. However, I was training her mostly on the adult desk, though I did (as is somewhat typical with me, I'm embarrassed to admit) give her a lengthy essay about everything she might want to know about children's librarianship and the library. She appreciated the help and the essay. I commenced training her after I had been at the branch for three weeks and she had been at the branch for two weeks.

Playing Career Counselor: I have always had an interest in career development, and I am thrilled to be able to help my colleagues in this way. (I was very happy to give my sister job searching advice twice in her career; now we are very lucky to have her close by, and she is okay with her job.) I met a volunteer for the library at a library conference in March of 2012 who was looking for a job. I spoke with her at length about her job search strategies, and I offered to look at her resume and cover letter. I was able to help her modify her cover letter and resume, and I provided her with emotional support. I really wanted to help her because she was volunteering by teaching computer classes and adult literacy for the library, and she was very nice. She ended up interviewing in Massachusetts with a public library, and she recently got hired as a youth services librarian for a public library in another state.

I was happy beyond belief when ACRL/NY accepted me as a mentor for their new mentoring program. They paired me with a librarian who also has a law degree who lives in upstate New York. She is very smart and considerate, and she is very focused on obtaining an academic or law librarian position. It has been great fun working with her, she has a lot of great skills, and whoever snatches her up will be lucky. We conducted a telephone mock interview, and a friend and I plan to meet up with her in Connecticut to conduct a team mock interview of her. I know that my friend will be a great help in this regard because she has had decades of management and supervisory experience. She has a much greater understanding of human resources than I do, as well. My mentee is helping me get together with my friend, as well, whom I have not seen in five years!

Why I Like Mentoring: I really enjoy helping librarians develop their skills and achieve their goals. Since my mentees have been self-selected (with the exception of the ACRL/NY mentee, which has worked out great), I have been fortunate to work with people who are very nice, considerate, skilled, and motivated to succeed. The volunteer that I helped find a job helped the library a lot; she developed her skills as a librarian before she even got hired as one! That impressed me a lot, and I knew that she would become a valued professional.

My ACRL/NY mentee is working very hard to improve her job seeking skills so that she can get hired as a librarian and start using her librarian skills full-time. She resigned from a job that she had for years that was not in her field. I also took that step about five years ago, which people vehemently advised me not to do. However, I wound up in a large urban public library system, which is exactly what I wanted, even if I did not know it at the time. It is fulfilling and interesting to see someone improve her cover letter, resume, and interviewing skills in such a short time. I also learn from her perspective, and it is good to network in the field with librarians of different backgrounds than my own. She will be an asset to whomever hires her.

USPTO Patent Examiner Recruiters at CCNY College-Wide Career Fair

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:04:48 -0500

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the Federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. In doing this, the USPTO fulfills the mandate of Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8, of the constitution that the Executive branch "promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective disscoveries." The USPTO registers trademarks based on the Commerce Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3).

Under this system of protection, American industry has flourished. New products have been invented, new uses for old ones discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. To learn more...

You can learn more about USPTO from the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government 2012 Rankings.

The following is USPTO Patent Examiner Recruitment infomation at the City College of New York, CUNY:

From March 7-9, representatives from USPTO's Patent Corps will be at the City College of New York (CCNY), City University of New York, to meet with and identify talented people in the region eligible to apply for patent examiner positions.

Thursday, March 7, 12 noon-4 p.m.
CCNY Career Fair at Shepard Hall
USPTO representatives will talk with qualifying students and alumni about patent examiner job duties and benefits. The Fair is free for job seekers from all areas. More information.

Thursday, March 7, 5-6 p.m.
USPTO information session providing more information about the patent examiner positions and the agency. Details available at the USPTO table at the Career Fair.

Friday, March 8, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, March 9, 8:30 a.m.-12 noon
Information sessions and interviews with USPTO Recruiters for patent examiner positions. The agency is seeking Patent Examiners in the following disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. To guarantee a 30-minute interview slot, individuals must register here, otherwise slots will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

For more information on the United States Patent and Trademark Examiner Recruitment, please visit Job Search Central, Science, Industry and Business Library at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Job Searching in the Digital Age for Older Adults: Classes at OATS

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:12:10 -0500

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) presents Computer Classes for Older Adults at the Senior Planet Exploration Center at 127 West 25th Street.

Classes are free of charge and all those 60 and over are welcome to sign up.

Classes run for five weeks and meet every Tuesday and Thursday.

February 26th – March 28th 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.

To sign up for classes, please stop in or call 646-590-0615.

Job Searching in the Digital Age

In this course students learn the skills and techniques necessary to seek paid or volunteer employment in the “digital age.”

Students will define and create goals for their own job search, learn how to present themselves safely and appropriately online, and how to navigate trusted online sources for job and opportunity listings.

Participants will be guided through complicated issues unique to older adults who are looking for employment — for example, how to earn an income without losing benefits and how to protect one’s self against ageism in the workforce.

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS): Mission and Vision

Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of technology to change the way we age.

Technology can only reach its full potential when older adults hold a stake in its development and distribution. OATS training and support, online services, and community-building programs empower older adults to thrive as individuals and membes of society. OATS achieves extraordinary outcomes with older adults, improving their social engagement, health and well-being, financial security, and opportunities for social activism, creative expression and life-long learning.

Aging Well in the Digital Age

Digital technology holds the promise of enriching our lives, strengthening our communities, and improving our health care and services. But for millions of older Americans, technology and the Internet are sources of anxiety and confusion-barriers to participation in the social and economic mainstream rather than resources for independent living. OATS is committed to maximizing the power of technology to help older adults live healthier, more connected, socially engaged lives.

To learn more about Job Searching in the Digital Age, please visit Job Search Central, Science, Industry and Business Library at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.

Library Careers: Information Organization and Retrieval, Customer Service and More

Miranda J. McDermott, Grand Concourse — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:29:38 -0500

Like most people, I never thought I would be a librarian while I was growing up. I tossed around a few ideas periodically: horse trainer, accountant, or psychologist, but I ultimately switched to library science while I was in graduate school. Why? I like working with people, but I do not necessarily want to be a clinical psychologist. I love working in a large urban public library system, providing services to those who need it most. I love working with kids, doing story times, and working at a research library on Sunday. I enjoy blogging and the excellent literary programs that NYPL staff and visiting presenters produce. I have been a librarian since 2003, and I have met a few people who are in library school or who have library degrees and were searching for jobs. This is a blog post for them.

How and Why I Became a Librarian

When I started college I had no idea which career I would pursue. I picked accounting as my major for my first semester since I had done well in a high school accounting class (I was the only junior girl with five senior guys). One semester into accounting... turns out I did not like it much. It is too focused on numbers for me. I wanted to pursue a career with more ambiguity, more room for creativity for me and one with more opportunities to work with people. During second semester, I changed my major to psychology, since I enjoyed a psychology class I had taken first semester. Think that was the end? No. I got an undergraduate degree in psychology, a master's degree in forensic psychology, started a master's program in social work, then switched majors again and eventually ended up with a master's degree in information science.

I like libraries and I wanted to work with people by assisting them with research. My first library job was cataloging my grandfather's rare book collection. Then I got a job as a circulation assistant in my college library and was promoted to reference assistant. I cataloged gay community center libraries in Dublin, Ireland and Albany, NY. I worked in corporate libraries in the banking and health care industry. I also was a solo librarian in a synagogue, music school library and a preschool. I was a branch librarian for a public library and I worked in several public libraries in different counties around the Philadelphia area. Since special library jobs are disappearing, I focused my search on large, urban public library systems. Then I got lucky and came to work for the New York Public Library. We have a great variety of free library ejournals, some of which can be accessed from home.

The Joy of Librarianship

I love libraries because I like working with people and doing research. My job is very varied in a small public library branch. I provide reference services in the adult, teen and children's rooms. During the summer, I worked with the local camps and provide storytimes to elementary-age children. I do outreach with colleges and universities in Manhattan and the Bronx. I also work with special libraries in the New York City area (eg, New York Historical Society Library & Museum) that are open to the public to set up trainings for our staff (in conjunction with our staff development office). I have the opportunity to staff a public service desk in our main research library, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Sundays, which helps me become more knowledgeable about our databases.

Being part of a large urban public library system with its own department of staff development has enabled me to get much training that might not be possible in a smaller library. I can blog and post on the library's website, which potentially can reach many people, since NYPL is a world famous research institution. Working in a public library enables me to have a flexible schedule, which includes working evenings and weekends. Sometimes it is convenient to have a day off during the week to attend to business or medical appointments. I love living in a large city with its diverse clientele and good public transportation. We also have many research services and sources available to us in New York City. We provide services that the public sorely needs, including free job search assistance and career counseling, free use of our computers and free lending of books. Someone once said that the public library is a great equalizer in society; patrons can get access to our materials regardless of socioeconomic status.

One of the other cool things about working with a large library system is that I get the opportunity to work with a lot of other talented librarians. I can network and coordinate services with other libraries and other types of libraries (special, school and academic). I also get the chance to supervise staff in the public library when I am in charge of the library, and I can train new staff members. It can be helpful to consult the American Library Association to learn more about libraries.

Types of Librarianship/Types of Libraries

Administration/Management: It is good to contemplate the tasks and skills associated with different types of librarianship when considering a career in the field. Careers in library administration and management consist of working through others instead of providing all of the line worker services oneself. This is one aspect of management that can be difficult for librarians to transition through. They have to shift their focus from providing services to the customer to training and supporting other workers to provide those direct services. It can be lonely at times to be the decision-maker, but it can also be a great opportunity to tailor services to the community and be able to ensure that the library operates smoothly and meets the needs of the customers.

In general, management positions pay more than line worker jobs and have greater seniority and prestige in the company; on the other hand, they require that much more time be devoted to the job and they handle much more responsibility in the library. In terms of obtaining management positions, librarians who have not been job searching recently can find it difficult to compete with outside candidates who are actively working on their job seeking skills. Librarians who want to advance may find it helpful to consult a career counselor and/or a plethora of materials on job searching, especially books aimed at librarians. In New York City, Job Search Central at the Science, Industry and Business Library is a great resource.

School Librarianship: Perhaps some librarians who love kids aspire to school librarianship. This career can be great for people who enjoy teaching classes to use the library and take care of books properly. School librarians are teachers as well as librarians, and they may be responsible for developing their own curricula to teach information literacy to the students. School librarians are often solo librarians, and they are responsible for operating the library under the supervision of the principal. They may have limited contact with other librarians.

School librarians are often responsible for all aspects of the library, including collection development, providing programs and classes in the library, setting opening hours, handling budgets and spending, and providing reference services. If they are lucky, they can recruit students as volunteers to help with some library tasks. People who enjoy having a lot of autonomy and working closely with teachers and having a lot of variety of library tasks might like being a school librarian. Unfortunately, however, many school libraries are being downsized across the United States, eliminated, or replaced with volunteers. There are still jobs for school librarians, however. This type of librarianship usually requires the applicants to be certified as school media specialists. Schools are much more structured than public libraries. The New York City School Librarians' Association and the School Library Journal web site are good resources.

Special Librarianship: This type of librarianship can often be solo librarianship. Special librarians work in libraries in which the larger organization is not a library. Corporate libraries (eg, medical communications company, banking association, law firm, zoos), museum libraries, and historical libraries all fit into this category. These libraries are very interesting; have you ever though of being a librarian for a veterinary hospital or a Disney librarian? Many corporations, including news and media companies have private librarians that serve the research needs of the staff of the company.

I am always amazed at the wide variety of special librarians that are out there. If people have a distinct subject interest, enjoy working in a corporate environment, and want a variety of job tasks (collection development, budget planning, providing reference and cataloging services), this may be the job for them. One caveat, however — subject specialty rather than having a master's degree in library science may be more important to employers seeking special librarians. Also, firms and corporations seem to be in a trend of downsizing and/or eliminating their corporate/special librarians. The Special Library Association is a terrific resource.

So You Want to Be a Law Librarian? Law librarianship can be especially rewarding for professionals with a strong interest in law and research. These positions are available in law firms and law schools. Most law librarians have a Juris Doctorate (JD) in addition to the Master's in Library Science (MLS). These librarians are also lawyers. The Law Library Association of Greater New York is a good resource.

Academic Librarianship is great for professionals who have a strong interest in research and enjoy teaching college students. Academic librarians often have professor status and must achieve tenure. Librarians who have a double master's degree and a subject specialty are required by most academic libraries. If the candidates do not have a second master's degree, they may be required to obtain one within five years of working for the university. I personally love the college learning environment, and I enjoy working at the Schwarzman Building on Sundays, which is our main research library. The Association of College and Research Libraries/ NY Chapter is a good resource.

Public Librarianship: This is great for anyone who loves a less structured environment, and who likes providing public service in a community center-like atmosphere. Public librarians work with community organizations, such as schools, universities, hospitals, senior centers, prisons, etc. to provide information services to the entire citizenry, regardless of socioeconomic status. Public librarians also provide reference services, work in cataloging, acquisitions, administration, events, etc. The questions librarians get at public libraries can run the gamut from how to write a eulogy to where to get child care to how to manage ones finances to authors who are researching for their books and graduate and post-graduate students at our research libraries.

At the neighborhood branches, we have many customers with basic or no computer literacy who benefit greatly from our free computer classes. Librarians in public libraries create attractive displays to promote the use of our materials, they develop fun and educational programs for customers of all ages; they may also end up shelving books or being in charge of the branch for short periods of time. One great thing about the New York Public Library is that the organization is forward-thinking in terms of anticipating the needs of customers and working to fulfill stated needs of customers. The Public Library Association can be a good resource. The pay rate of public librarians is lower in suburban and rural areas than it is in large urban areas.

How to Become a Librarian

Volunteering/Finding a Mentor: I have volunteered in many libraries, and I have learned much from those experiences. I cataloged gay libraries in Dublin, Ireland and Albany, NY. I volunteered in public libraries in Albany, NY and Philadelphia, PA. There, at the Central Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia, I met a librarian who was to be my supervisor in one of their research rooms. She gave me interesting tasks, talked to me for hours about different aspects of librarianship in general and public librarianship in particular, and she helped me find other volunteer and paid positions. She has been invaluable. Due to her decades of experience in management, I always find her perspective of what's happening in my job to be enlightening. I value her a lot as a friend and mentor. I probably never would have found this lady if I have not volunteered for her. I no longer volunteer for her, and we are both at different jobs in different cities, but we still keep in touch, and she is terrific.

So volunteering pays back in dividends that you may not achieve otherwise. Of course, it is not going to immediately, directly translate into helping you pay your bills. Volunteering is great because it is often more flexible than paid work; you can get opportunities to do things that you may not get in a paid job. The staff, in general, are more lenient, and they are very appreciative of the help that volunteers provide. If you are lucky, staff members that you are volunteering for will help you find paid work elsewhere or in that company. A caveat, however: people can make themselves miserable by thinking that a company will hire them just because they are volunteering for that company. For one thing, the company is benefiting for free. Volunteers may be lucky and be offered a position, but more often than not, they need to develop their job seeking skills just like the other candidates and apply for positions the same way that other candidates do. If you would like to volunteer for the New York Public Library, visit our Volunteer at NYPL web page.

Attending Library School and obtaining a Master's Degree in Information Science (MLS) can be helpful for those who most definitely want to pursue librarianship as a career. It can be especially helpful for those who already work in libraries in order to help them obtain new skills and a higher rate of pay. I loved the instruction I got in Albany, NY, and I believe that it gave me a theoretical understanding and a basis of knowledge that has greatly improved the quality of the services that I am able to provide. I totally recommend library school if you can afford it or take out loans; it can give you a perspective on information organization, retrieval, customer service and more that it is hard to get without it. Here is a Directory of ALA-accredited Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies.

Career Counseling

Career counseling can be a terrific way for people to hone their job seeking skills. This aspect of job searching can sometimes be overlooked. Career counselors cannot hand out jobs, but they can help people develop the job seeking skills which will ultimately land them jobs. When job searching, people need to develop their job seeking skills until they are good enough to get offered a job that they are interested in. From that point forward, they are free to engage in their preferred line of work.

Career counselors can offer mock interviews, resume and cover letter critiques, and job search strategy advice. There is nothing like the one-on-one attention that a career counselor can give, and they can be very skilled at uncovering your interests and career paths and strategies that you may love. Do not be bothered by any perceived stigma that counseling may have. Career counseling is not for personal problems that do not relate to careers. It is perfectly okay to obtain some assistance in attaining a fulfilling career. At NYPL, we have career counselors at the Bronx Library Center and the Science, Industry and Business Library. We have a Job Search Central blog channel and job search and career workshops. NYPL also has a web page for job seekers.

I wrote my first resume with the help of career counselors at my undergraduate college, and I really appreciated their help, since I did not know what I was doing. I also utilized a career counselor at my graduate university. She was terrific about talking to me about my career goals; she did look at my resume, but I think that my conversations with her about less concrete aspects of job searching were most helpful. It especially was nice to think that I had a professional who was helping me with my career development. I have also attended many job search workshops at our Science, Industry and Business Library; the career counselors who present at these workshops, as well as the participants, always have enlightening things to say.

Resources
Children's Literary Salons

Betsy Bird runs the Children’s Literary Salon, which is held at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, usually on one Saturday a month, from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. I’ve been attending this program since 2009 and I have been blogging about it since 2011. It is extremely eye-opening and at least as good as attending a conference. Betsy always has thought provoking questions for the children’s literature professionals that she has on her panels.

Children & Libraries

Children & Libraries is free from home or on-site in the library with library card and PIN (personal identification number). You can get access to many free children’s journals, including School Library Journal, which is by far the most important children’s librarianship journal in the United States for school media specialists and also public library children’s librarians. You may also want to look at American Libraries. AL is published by the American Library Association (ALA), and it is good to look in there for info on upcoming conferences and or for job openings, but you can also look on their website, ala.org. Library Journal another major news source for librarians. It is good to look at these journals to see what trends are occurring in US libraries. Also, you may want to check out Public Libraries. I always find that journal to be a treasure trove of information.

Conferences

ALA midwinter meeting in Philadelphia in Jan 2014, ALA annual and midwinter meetings have job search classes and recruiters that come from public libraries and you can get interviewed on the spot. I think that they just figure that they want people to work for them who attend conferences. You can just sign up for an interview.

Book Expo America: I went to this in 2012 for the first time, and learned so much that I will attend all three days in 2013. We’re lucky that this national conference is staying in NYC for a couple of years. It’s only $100 to attend for three days for librarians. It may be cheaper for library school students.

Comic Con – NYC. If you’re into graphic novels for teens and kids, this is another inexpensive conference to attend in the autumn in NYC at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

SLJ Day of Dialog: I have been to this for several years. It’s a great one-day conference, and it’s only $40 if you want to learn about children and teen library services. It’s usually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.

Blogs

ACRLog (Association of College and Research Libraries)
SLJ A Fuse #8 Production – this is a terrific blog written by Betsy Bird, who works for NYPL. It was nominated for an Edublog of the Year award last year. Her knowledge and the sophistication of children’s works and her literary analysis is unparalleled in any blog I’ve read.
One of my Kid Lit Salon blogs.
Letters to a Young Librarian

Books

Children's Literature Gems: Choosing and Using Them in Your Library Career by Elizabeth Bird, 2009. Betsy Bird is the Youth Materials Specialist for NYPL. She is very knowledgeable, and the book is very informative.
The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman, 2007.
It is helpful to check out the Career Moves section in this book. I love Suze Orman; I watched her on Oprah Winfrey show and she is a big proponent of helping people live within their means and pursue their dreams. She is a personal financial planner.

American Libraries Articles

It is great for library job seekers to read articles about job searching that are specific to librarianship. Professional journals can be useful for this purpose.

"Personal Branding for Librarians" by Karen Schneider, Nov/Dec 2012
"Toughing It Out in a Tight Job Market" by Janice Arenofsky, Nov/Dec 2012

School Library Journal Articles

"Betsy Goes to Bologna" by Betsy Bird, July 2011

"Hang in There: How to Get a Library Job Against All Odds" by Lisa Von Drasek, February 2011
"Role Call" by Betsy Bird, July 2012
"Surviving Your First Library Job Search" by Steven Hoover, September 2009
"This Blog's for You" by Betsy Bird, November 2009

Free Job Training in Hospitality

Magdalene Chan, Science, Industry and Business Library — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:59:00 -0500

Looking for a career in hospitality?

The Chinese-American Planning Council, Workforce Development Division, provides a free training program in hospitality careers.

The curriculum for this program is from the American Hotel and Lodging Association which is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, students and faculty members, and industry suppliers.

This is a 10-week training program, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This training program includes:

Introduction to hospitality industry
Organization and structure of hotel
Communication skills
Job readiness skills

Participants will learn the skills needed to obtain various types of entry-level jobs in a hotel such as:

Room Attendant
Houseman
Kitchen Stewards

Average salary is $13.66 per hour

There will be job placement assistance for graduates.

Minimum Eligibility

18 years old and up
8th grade reading level
U.S. work authorized
High School Diploma/ GED preferred

How to apply

In order to apply, you must attend an orientation which is held every Monday at 9:30 am at 165 Eldridge Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10002

Travel directions: Take B/D train to Grand Street or F train to Delancy Street.

No one will be admitted to enter after this time.

For more information, please call Chinese-American Planning Council, Workforce Development Division at 212-941-0041.

If you want to learn more about free job training programs, please visit Job Search Central, Science, Industry and Business Library at 188 Madison Avenue and 34th Street.