"Helping Civil Servants
with Career Concerns" U.S. Department of State,
Career Learning Center
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
|