Summary

Staff at a U.S. Department of State Career Learning Center are using the O*NET system to help federal employees find new career opportunities in the public and private sector. As one of their services, they offer monthly demonstrations of how individuals can use O*NET resources to learn about federal and private sector occupations. Once they are acquainted with O*NET, employees who are actively engaged in a career change can return to the Center and use O*NET and other resources on their own. Or they can tune in to O*NET OnLine at home. 
 

How is O*NET being used?

The U.S. Department of State operates career development resource centers to assist civil and foreign service employees who are making a career transition. One of the centers serves federal employees who work in nearby agencies, as well as State Department staff. That Career Learning Center operates primarily as a self-help resource. Employees use it on their own to explore career possibilities, research the job market, or develop résumés and job applications. Some are actively seeking new jobs; others are interested in long-range career development issues for personal or professional reasons. 

Once a month, Center staff offer workshops on how to use the O*NET system in making a career transition. The workshops attract newcomers to the Center, giving them an opportunity to see what resources are available there. The demonstrations show participants how to develop narrative statements for job applications, using O*NET occupational information. They show people exploring careers how O*NET information can be a starting point in learning about new career opportunities. They demonstrate how counselors can use O*NET skills and worker characteristics to get an idea of a client's likely skills and abilities before an interview. Center staff report that O*NET works well as a starting point for many of their clients. 
 

Who is your target population?

Civil and foreign service employees in the State Department are the primary clients, but other federal employees who have access to the Switzer Building in Washington, DC, also may use the Center. Some clients are seeking government posts. Others are looking for employment in the private sector. Some are nearing retirement and thinking about a second career. Human resource personnel, counselors, program directors, and managers interested in employee development also use the Center. 
 

What kind of results is O*NET helping you to achieve?

Career Learning Center staff use O*NET demonstrations to attract newcomers to their Center. The fact that many participants return to use the O*NET system on their own suggests they find it useful. Some participants use it to name and describe skills they have already acquired. Others use it to identify new career possibilities that use similar skills or that suit their own interests and abilities. O*NET gives them access to extensive and comprehensive information about occupational requirements, worker competencies and other aspects of occupations. 
 

What are the related program initiatives?

The Career Learning Center draws on many career development resources available from public and private sources. The State Department also offers a variety of career development programs and counseling for staff who are retiring or leaving the civil or foreign service. 
 

Is your product, program or service available for others to use?

Anyone with authorized access to the Switzer Building in Washington, DC, may use the Center. 
 

What other strategies make your product, program or service successful?

The Career Learning Center operates largely as a self-help lab with computerized and other career resources available on a drop-in basis. It provides space, tools, and uninterrupted time for individuals to work on their résumés, job applications, and career plans. Providing periodic training sessions helps clients get the greatest benefit from key resources like the O*NET system. The O*NET demonstrations are also used as a marketing tool to attract newcomers to the Center and expand awareness of its services. 
 

Contact information.

Mike Powell, Project Coordinator 
Career Learning Center 
Room 1611, Switzer Building 
330 C Street, SW 
Washington, DC 20547 
telephone: 202-260-6614 
e-mail: mpowell@ibb.gov