Sacramento Career Night

I remember back when I was searching for a “real” job---you know, the kind with health care and benefits people in Europe take for granted (along with leaving their babies outside of restaurants while they eat in peace). My mother had always said, “Somebody has quit, retired, died or got fired since yesterday.” In other words, keep trying. However, I wasn’t too worried until the day she told me, “I don’t want anyone to die, but you need a job.” Imagining my mother wearing one of those hideous orange jumpsuits because she committed some unspeakable crime to land me my dream job was enough to intensify my search…

That, and staying home with children was driving me crazy.

If you’ve never stayed home with children, your own or others, I advise against it unless you have the patience of Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss Daisy, enjoy wearing splattered clothes, eating chicken crackers, chicken fingers, and chicken noodle soup daily, fishing toys (and jewelry) out of the toilet, carrying on bizarre conversations, or watching the same DVD for hours (months) on end. Using your remote to block out all the horrible children's programming only goes so far in reserving your sanity. The day I repeatedly told everyone, “He said banana! Can you say banana? Banana! Say banana! You’re such a good boy!” was the day I applied to graduate school.

But for those of you who aren’t looking forward to five figures in student loans, the Sacramento Bee, the Sacramento Public Library, UC Davis Extension, and SETA presents Sacramento Career Night: Resources to Help you Stand out from the Crowd. Enjoy a free session that will help you land a job, create an effective resume, switch careers, stand out from other candidates, and find career success in today’s job market!

This event starts at 5 pm in the Library Galleria. Parking in the Library Garage (off of J St. between 8th and 9th streets) will be available for $5.

We hope to see you there!

What's It Worth?

Here's a fun little Library Value Calculator demo that may put a new spin on what library services are worth in the community. How much would you have to pay for services your library provides for free? Fill in the blanks and prepare to be truly surprised! (note: the demo is not customized for Sacramento prices ...)

California's budget, and by extension, the City's, County's and your personal budget, are being dissected hourly by the press and by government employees faced with the possibility of losing their jobs. In the library, we are also facing severe budget cuts, and are seeing more people using our services to find jobs and seek aid, matching a national trend.

If you are in jobsearch mode, here are some free library resources you can use:

• Books: Career information and practice tests - Some of these titles describe occupations; others are practice tests to help you pass employment exams.


• Knowledge Center Databases: Look at the databases in the College and Careers section for help with practice tests, resume building, preparing for interviews, and much more. For example, Learning Express Library also includes math tutorials and computer skills. (If you want to use these databases at home, you will need to enter your library card number for access. A library card is not needed if you use these databases in one of our branches.)


• The library provides free computer use. With your library card you can use Microsoft Office programs to type resumes and cover letters, and also also have Internet access. Visitors can check their e-mail and fill out online job applications. A library card or e-card is required.


• All branches also have free wireless Internet access - if you bring your laptop, you can connect for free, without a library card.


• Free programs at our branches for all ages, and the Get Money Smart programs are continuing through the fall.
  

﴾͡๏̯͡๏﴿ /streetart#+_♥.tk's photo used with permission.