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One-stop career centers: all in one place and everyplace - job hunting resources

Occupational Outlook Quarterly - September 22, 1997

Continued from page 3.

"Well, here is where you can use the Michigan Occupational Information System," she says. "We call it `MOIS.' It can help you decide what sort of work is really for you. You find out which schools offer various types of education and training, also."

"And what are all those books over there?" Tse-Hsin asks.

"We've got books and videos on just about every career related subject you can think of," Mira says. "You can use them here or check them out to take home. Oh, before I forget, you can also use word processing and resume software and even a typing tutor program. Plus, there's the standard phone, fax, Internet access, and photocopier for job search purposes."

"I don't know where to start," he says.

"Don't worry," she says. "First, I'll introduce you to the person who'll process your unemployment benefits claim. To collect, you'll also have to register with the State job service. Then you'll be in our database, and we can refer you for job openings. If you just wanted another stock clerk job, you'd likely see a placement specialist next, but it sounds like you're looking to change careers."

"Definitely," he says.

"OK," she says. "I'll see if a case manager is available to talk with you after you file your claim. If not, you can schedule an appointment."

"Thank you," Tse-Hsin says. "I guess you were serious about offering a lot of services." "Yes," Mira says. "And I've only shown you the tip of the iceberg."

As it turns out, a case manager named Virginia Kenna can see Tse-Hsin right away. Keying Tse-Hsin's intake information into the computer, Virginia first registers him with the job service. Then, they discuss his current situation. Tse-Hsin is married and has no children. His wife works as a cashier. Considering her income and his unemployment benefits, the two of them will barely scrape by in the short run.

"If you could work at any job in the world," Virginia asks, "what would you do?"

Tse-Hsin isn't sure what to say. He thinks a long moment, and finally he says, "I can't do that. I'd need to go to college, and I can't pay the tuition."

"Just ignore that for a minute," she says. "What would you do?"

"I'd get into health care," he says. "Not as a doctor--I don't want that much school. I'd be a nurse."

"Why do you think you'd like that profession better than what you were doing before?" she asks.

"I hated being a stock clerk," Tse-Hsin says. "I didn't feel like I was helping anyone, but nurses help. I was in the hospital for 3 months after a car accident when I was 11 years old. The nurses took care of me, and there was even one guy among them. That's when I knew I wanted to be a nurse."

"You probably can, if you want," Virginia says. "It would be tough, though. You'd have to go to school and keep a parttime job in order to maintain a family income you can live on."

"But school isn't free," Tse-Hsin says.

"No," she admits, "but you will likely qualify for assistance under the Job Training Partnership Act. It will pay for your education, if you're eligible."

"Where do I sign up?" Tse-Hsin asks, not yet believing what he has heard.

"Right here," she says. "And now we need to do five more things. First, I'm going to give you a brief reading test I give to everyone. It'll take about 10 minutes. While you're working on that, I'm going to print a career script from MOIS and cite some other sources of information about nursing from our library. Third, we'll scan the job listings to identify potentially suitable part-time jobs for you. Next, we'll begin drafting a step-by-step plan for you to achieve your goal of becoming a nurse. Finally, I'll schedule another appointment with you, so we can talk again in a week."

"Sounds great," Tse-Hsin says.

"One step in your plan of action," Virginia continues, "will be for you to read more about nurses and the training they need. This will help you decide if you really want to be a nurse, and if so, what kind. Another step I'll suggest is an informational interview. Obviously, you know a lot about nursing from the patient's perspective, but I recommend you talk to a nurse to hear that point of view. I can help you set that up, if you're agreeable."

"I'm totally agreeable," Tse-Hsin says.

A week passes quickly, and Tse-Hsin returns for his next appointment. His wife, Cassandra, has the day off, so she accompanies him to the JobNet center with an agenda of her own. While Tse-Hsin meets with Virginia to discuss his progress, Cassandra asks Mira about learning to network and interview well.

"I don't really need it for what I'm doing now," Cassandra explains. "It's just that I've done every job there is in a fast food restaurant, except management. I'm hoping to find an employer who will hire me as a management trainee. I don't have a college education, but I'm sure I can do the work if I find an employer who will give me a chance."

"I can suggest some books and videos from our library," Mira says. "And you could also talk to one of our case managers for advice."

"No, I don't need to do that," Cassandra says, "but the library sounds good."

"OK," Mira says. "Another option would be to sign up for our next job search class."

"Tell me more."

"It meets eight times over a 4-week period," Mira says, "and it covers everything you're interested in. Can you fit daytime classes into your work schedule?"

"Yes. Where does the class meet?" Cassandra asks.

"Well, it's only one class, but it meets in five different places at once," Mira says. "You can take it right here or at one of four other locations in the Traverse City area. The instructor is in one location, but you can see everyone and everyone can see you through interactive video."

"Huh?"

"It's one big teleconference," Mira says. "In each classroom are four television monitors showing the other classrooms live. You can ask the instructor questions and have discussions, just like in a regular class."

"I get it," Cassandra says. "I live in Maple City. Where's the classroom near me?"

"Glen Lake High School."

"Hey, if there's a blizzard," Cassandra says, "I won't have to travel all the way into Traverse City for class."

"You've got the picture," Mira says.

Tse-Hsin considers carefully and decides to attend community college to prepare for a career as a licensed practical nurse. After three meetings and a few phone conversations with Virginia over a 4-week period, Tse-Hsin finds a part-time job with a very flexible schedule. His career plan is ready, and he awaits approval for assistance under the job training program.

Two days pass. Cassandra attends her first teleconferenced job search class. When she returns-home, she finds Tse-Hsin.

"I'm in," Tse-Hsin says. "I'm starting classes next month."

"I'm so happy for you," Cassandra says. "I told you good things would happen to us if you married me!"

From Welfare to Work

"Hold my hand," Alice says to her 1-year-old son, Arlo. Alice leads him toward the child dropoff center within the Workforce Development Center of Waukesha County, Wisconsin. "You'll get to play with the other kids while Mommy keeps her appointment, OK?"

Arlo toddles into the center, and Alice reluctantly lets go of his hand. She knows he'll be fine here, but she dreads meeting with her economic support specialist. Alice came here 6 months ago to verify her continuing need for public assistance. She doesn't know how she, Arlo, and her older boy, Jimmy, would survive without this aid. All the talk she's been hearing about welfare reform frightens her. In fact, she hasn't felt this scared since her husband abandoned the family just before Arlo was born.

"I see your job title has changed to financial planner," Alice says.

"Yes," says Nancy Olsen. "Things are always changing."

"Am I going to lose my welfare?" Alice asks.

"No," Nancy says. "Don't panic. I know you're worried, and that's understandable, but these reforms are not about trying to take benefits away from people. We want to help you over the barriers preventing you from working. Once you get over them, you won't need so much aid."

"Don't get me wrong," Alice says. "I want to work, but I'm not qualified for many jobs, and even if I find one--do you know how much daycare costs? Jimmy is in kindergarten now, but who's going to take care of Arlo while I'm working? I don't have any other family in Waukesha, and I just can't do it alone."

"I know," Nancy says, "and I know you're frightened, but you can have what you really want: a job, an income, and a budget you and your boys can live on."

"How?"

"For one thing," Nancy says, "we're trying harder to see that parents receive court-ordered child support payments. Even if your husband has gone out of State, we'll find him eventually and make him pay support."

"Good luck," Alice says bitterly.

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