Hey everyone!!! This is Georvis reporting to you from CFY headquarters. In the fall of 2000, I interviewed Janice Moore-Smith. She is an Education and Career Specialist at Learners Advisory Service of the New York Public Library. When I first called Mrs. Smith for the interview I was kind of nervous due to the fact that I wanted to get all the information needed to you guys out there, but she made me feel really welcome and comfortable. I think you'll find her the same way.

Mrs. Smith works at the Fordham Library Center and has been working there for 10 years and told me she had no idea she’d still be working there by now. She told me, “I love my job” and “Time flies when you’re having fun.” I really liked that: How many people can actually say that about their jobs?

Mrs. Smith provides career counseling and education advisement. She charges no fee for her services. They are totally FREE! And her services aren’t just for the neighborhood community. She helps people from everywhere, even those from other countries.

Here is a link to the Fordham Library Center where Mrs. Smith is located http://www.nypl.org/branch/bx/fdc.html

Mrs. Smith usually serves 5 -7 people a day. She is in her office from 10 am - 6pm, so as you can see she has a very busy day. Totally, she sees about 100 - 115 people a month. This is good for her because she loves to meet new people and to help them.

Mrs. Smith provides many services to her clients. She helps people develop resumes, set career goals, and find training programs that can help them advance. She helps people from ages 16 and up and even some 14 year olds. During the interview, all I kept saying to myself was, “Where was she when I wanted a job?”

Mrs. Smith has helped many people find jobs in many different positions. She has found jobs for people in administrative positions and professional careers. She has helped attorneys find law firms, and she’s helped people get jobs in banks, hospitals, city jobs and educational jobs.

If you do not have a high school diploma or a college education, don’t worry she has many resources for you. She has references like books titled “Jobs without College” and lists of jobs and opportunities for people without high school diplomas. She can also get you into vocational programs where you can get your high school diploma and get a job at the same time.

If you don’t speak English very well, that’s no problem either! Mrs. Smith has many resources. There are Spanish-speaking staff at the library, and many Spanish-speaking people come to her for help.

If you are thinking about going to see Mrs. Smith, you need make an appointment. It’s also possible to drop in because some people don’t always keep their appointments, but you’re only guaranteed a spot if you make an appointment.

Everyone is welcome in her office for her services. No one is pushed away. Mrs. Smith feels that everyone deserves a chance.

Just in case you were wondering (I was!), I asked Mrs. Smith what she could do for a person who:

She told me about a program where you can get your GED and receive some job training, while your kids are in a day care center. All this in one place!!! That’s hard to find.

I also asked her how she would help a full-time college student who is in school 4 days a week from 9am -3pm and wants a job but has to be home by 8pm.

She told me about something she calls “Creative Job Search” (creative counseling)--where the person can make their own hours and find a job according to the skills they have.

Well that’s it from me. I hope that this interview helps you if you are in need of a job. I would like to thank JANICE MOORE-SMITH for all her help. This is Georvis signing off from the CFY headquarters!!!