"Heads Up!" Collinwood High School seniors attend job resources workshop

The Memorial Nottingham Library held the first of its three workshops; “Heads Up! Pants Up! Grades Up!” for students from Collinwood High School, on September 19th.  Sixty graduating seniors attended the workshop that taught them how to “create resumes and personal portfolios for their job and college applications.” 

Librarian, Alfonzo Daniels, gave each student a packet of information that included:  “Choosing a College; High School to-do Lists; Applying for College; and Getting Financial Aid.” Students also received sample resumes, a job qualifications list, interview questions, and job search resources and websites. 

“This is a roadmap to guide you and teach you,” Daniels said. “The bottom line is learning how to promote the most important product in your life…and that is YOU!"

“This information is very important. Take it seriously. Perfect your study habits!” he said. 

Two speakers also gave students advice about “becoming an adult” and answered questions about employment.

Chandra Howard, a supervisor with the Cleveland Police Department’s Data Conversion Department, told students who are searching for a career  to “choose something you have a desire for, or that moves you, and it will be easier to stay focused.”  The most important thing is that “no matter what happens in your life, do not take your foot off where you want to go.” 

“The only person that controls you is you. Nobody can throw you off your focus, except you.”

It is important to build relationships, she said. “So people can vouch for you.” Talk to people, especially your guidance counselor, who can give you information on different colleges. As an adult, you are competing with other adults, so “be careful how you conduct yourself.”

Also, prepare a portfolio, which includes your “strengths, recommendations, and community involvements...Cultivate your strengths, and bring up your weaknesses,” she said.

Garry Gross, with the human resource department at Metro Health Medical Center, said it is important to get the skills you need to succeed. If you are writing a resume, start with a Summary of Skills that shows what you do well, and then list your education and related coursework and experience. 

If you haven’t had a job, there are lots of things that you can write that show your skills and abilities. “Include anything you have done, like babysitting, church volunteering,”  or assisting the teacher. Employers need a resume. “You CAN put a resume together.”

Also include any technical programs or certificates you earned in school.  

Be sure to “highlight the skills the employer is looking for,” Gross said. Customize your resume for every job.”  The employer wants to know “who you are, and why they should hire you.” 

He said to visit the colleges of your choice, and learn about their programs. And be sure the school is accredited. If a school is not accredited, the student will not have the basic quality of education needed to do the job.

"There are 700 medical and technical jobs available at Metro," Gross  said, and “people don’t have the qualifications” to fill them.   

“The economy is forcing people to compete for every job that is out there.”  Education is very important!

After the workshop, students had a chance to talk with Ms. Howard and Mr. Gross for further information.

The next two workshops in the series will be held on Wednesday October 24th (Pants Up!), and November 7th (Grades Up!) at 11:00 am. These two workshops will give students the tools they need to dress appropriately in their job search, and teach students how to make and achieve their goals. The workshops will also be repeated at 4:00 pm on these same days, for “any student who wants to take advantage of them,” Daniels said.

For further information on the seminars, and for help locating resources, call Mr. Daniels at:  216-623-7039. The Memorial-Nottingham Library is located at: 17109 Lakeshore Blvd. Cleveland Ohio 44119

Jeanne Coppola is a resident of the Collinwood neighborhood, and is interested in art and writing. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cleveland State University, where she was a writer for the multi-cultural student magazine, The Vindicator. She is pleased to be able to write for The Collinwood Observer, and offer her comments and opinions for this exciting community newspaper.