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Free, Valuable Career Advice is available at Coweta Public Libraries

by Jimmy Bass

College may be not for everybody but a Career is (and we can help) …

There are plenty of opinions these days on the cost of an education versus what the degree will do for your earning potential in our competitive world.

A lot of folks say that “college is not for everyone” and I tend to agree as there are a lot of important, fulfilling jobs that do not require the four-year dance. Therefore, college may not be for everyone, but a career is. Everyone should have the opportunity to earn for themselves, hopefully doing something they like and that contributes to the world around them.

Some of us were lucky to fall into a great career while others had to try on a job like some do shoes. Every year, we are guaranteed through the graduation process that there will be a new batch of degreetoting prospects looking for the perfect opening. With all the variables that go into a potential job fit, it is as important to be armed with good information as it is a good resume. We can help!

On our very own website, www.cowetapubliclibrary.org, you will find a tab entitled Digital Library. Once you click on it, you will be taken to a very attractive list of databases that are free because you are using the library’s site (what a deal!). For brevity’s sake, I will name a couple here and give a brief description but please take the time to peruse as many of the sites as you can.

GA Degrees Pay is a cool site for understanding current degree attainment for professions and salaries involved, along with giving details on all 26 public colleges and universities.

Job and Career Accelerator is exactly what it sounds like, the site assists with resumes, interviewing, work skills improvement, and preparation for work related examinations. It also offers expert advice and tips.

Many library patrons are already aware of the super site, GALILEO, which is Georgia’s virtual library, but I want to highlight one database in particular. O*Net Online features an interest profiler for job/career researchers and is run by the Employment and Training Administration of the US Department of Labor. They also have special matching criteria for veterans who are job hunting.

The Georgia Career Info Center site provides current and accurate occupational information to help young people and adults make informed career choices.

Finally, anyone investigating jobs and careers should visit Learning Express Library. This site offers more than 800 job-related tutorials, practice exams, and eBooks. These items not only assist with basic skills but go into job preparation and advancement.

While I have listed mostly electronic devices, please know that we also buy the most in demand print books on jobs and careers too and are always happy to order a particular item for you if asked.

On a different book note, I will mention a couple of fiction titles I have recently enjoyed and happily recommend to you. “The Sanctuary” by Katherine Engberg is a Danish police series that will have you burning the midnight oil to finish. I have really enjoyed the Shana Merchant series by Tessa Wegert; give it a try if you like characters who overcome and seaside locales. Finally, “The Villa” is a provocative gothic suspense novel centered in an Italian villa… break out the vino and read!

Jimmy Bass is director of the Coweta Public Library System. He also plays a mean guitar and sings at local venues. The Bookmark is sponsored by Coweta Public Library System. Look for their ad inside.

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