Primarily, I researched what many people in the Delmerva region are dealing with today, both on a local level as well as national. Seeing as unemployment is still an issue in the area according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, I decided to do my first story on the Job Search Center at the Wicomico Public Library.
As I walked into the library to prepare my interviews, I was intrigued by the vast wealth of resources the library had to offer. Not only did they have typical library aspects such as books, CDs and computers, but I was surprised to see that they also had a rather large children's section that was bustling with kids and parents alike.
The Job Search Center is in a little nook of the library by the elevator, a sky blue room containing about five computers and a printer. A job-seeking database called the Maryland Workforce Exchange is displayed on the screen of each computer. Upon entering the Job Search Center, each person signs in and uses a computer to research jobs, print out resumes or even view online workshops on cover letters and other useful tools.
Jay Peters, personnel of the Job Search Center, explained a lot to me about how the program is kept afloat by funding from the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance. In the three years of the Job Search Center's existence, the LSWA has never had a problem with issuing a grant every year to the center.
Peters says that the Job Search Center has become more useful in recent years since its establishment. Before the center, many people were using computers for job research and many people asked the librarians about information on how to operate certain mechanics of job-seeking websites. Since then, the popularity of the center has increased with close to ninety people during one week. In addition to the center at the Wicomico Public Library, there are two other locations at the Centre Branch as well as the Pittsville Branch.
Carla Richardson, a consistent patron at the Job Search Center, says she has been unemployed for about two years. Since moving from the densely populated area of Philadelphia, she has been searching locally for employment in the education field. In regards to the center, Richardson states that it has helped her tremendously in her quest to land a job. She notes the quiet and comfortable atmosphere of the library which helps ease any tension on possible stress on the potential job seeker to focus and work diligently. She, among many other people, has an optimistic attitude that she will ultimately find a job as a result of her efforts in the Job Search Center.
Before looking into the Job Search Center, I had no idea about what unemployment rates are in the area nor did I realize that there is a valuable resource available right in Wicomico County to combat this nationwide issue. This center gave me insight on what it is like to be out of work and to commit oneself every day to find a solution. Many people in the United States are struggling with unemployment and I believe that more should be done to tackle this problem at hand. The Job Search Center is a huge start and with persistence, anyone can achieve their goals and get where they want to be.
For more information on the program as well as other library information, please visit:
http://www.wicomicolibrary.org/job-search-center
As I walked into the library to prepare my interviews, I was intrigued by the vast wealth of resources the library had to offer. Not only did they have typical library aspects such as books, CDs and computers, but I was surprised to see that they also had a rather large children's section that was bustling with kids and parents alike.
The Job Search Center is in a little nook of the library by the elevator, a sky blue room containing about five computers and a printer. A job-seeking database called the Maryland Workforce Exchange is displayed on the screen of each computer. Upon entering the Job Search Center, each person signs in and uses a computer to research jobs, print out resumes or even view online workshops on cover letters and other useful tools.
Jay Peters, personnel of the Job Search Center, explained a lot to me about how the program is kept afloat by funding from the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance. In the three years of the Job Search Center's existence, the LSWA has never had a problem with issuing a grant every year to the center.
Peters says that the Job Search Center has become more useful in recent years since its establishment. Before the center, many people were using computers for job research and many people asked the librarians about information on how to operate certain mechanics of job-seeking websites. Since then, the popularity of the center has increased with close to ninety people during one week. In addition to the center at the Wicomico Public Library, there are two other locations at the Centre Branch as well as the Pittsville Branch.
Carla Richardson, a consistent patron at the Job Search Center, says she has been unemployed for about two years. Since moving from the densely populated area of Philadelphia, she has been searching locally for employment in the education field. In regards to the center, Richardson states that it has helped her tremendously in her quest to land a job. She notes the quiet and comfortable atmosphere of the library which helps ease any tension on possible stress on the potential job seeker to focus and work diligently. She, among many other people, has an optimistic attitude that she will ultimately find a job as a result of her efforts in the Job Search Center.
Before looking into the Job Search Center, I had no idea about what unemployment rates are in the area nor did I realize that there is a valuable resource available right in Wicomico County to combat this nationwide issue. This center gave me insight on what it is like to be out of work and to commit oneself every day to find a solution. Many people in the United States are struggling with unemployment and I believe that more should be done to tackle this problem at hand. The Job Search Center is a huge start and with persistence, anyone can achieve their goals and get where they want to be.
For more information on the program as well as other library information, please visit:
http://www.wicomicolibrary.org/job-search-center
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