The beacon, Vol. 4, no. 2 (Winter 2005)

BEACON GEORGIA
the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Winter 2005
FROM THE COMMISSIONER Michael L.Thurmond
New Beginnings The dawn of a new year is an exciting time. It presents an excellent opportunity to reflect on the events of the past and to plan for the future. The New Year is also a time to start anew and not be limited by the past. I'm hopeful that 2005 will be a year of new beginnings; a year to create new goals and establish new horizons. Hopefully, you will not be hindered by real or perceived obstacles that may impede your progress. Remember, successful people learn from their mistakes and they don't dwell on past failures. If you choose to make New Year's resolutions, try to focus on only one or two specific areas. The following tips may prove helpful. Review. Ask yourself what your goals are for 2005, then plan your next step. Reflect on where you are in your life and determine what changes should be made to accomplish your goals in the new year. Resolve. Resolve to be positive. Negative energy creates negative results; try to see the positive side of any situation. Renew. He who loses faith loses all. Renew your commitment to your faith and be steadfast in your beliefs. Keep this area of your life strong. Refresh. Resolutions require daily attention. Write down yours and refer to them frequently throughout the year. Among your resolutions, commit to being more understanding of yourself. Resolve to celebrate your progress no matter how measured or small it might be. A wise man once said, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." More importantly, we should be thankful for the abundance of love we share with family and friends. Continue to be prayerful that this year will be filled with joy and good health.
INSIDE
theBEACON
I Georgia Employer Committee Conference
Savannah, GA welcomes more than 300 conference participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 2
I Roosevelt's 60th Anniversary
History Channel marks President's death with documentary at RWSIR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PAGE 5
I Coffee Break
Who's on guard? Meet officer A. Q. Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE 6

"LIGHTING THE WAY"

Vol. Four/Issue 2

Georgia Ranked Number One in the Nation; Employers to Receive $50 Million Tax Cut

The Georgia Department of Labor is a national leader in moving the jobless back to work. According to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, Georgia led the nation by helping 76.7 percent of jobseekers who registered with the state agency find work. (Although Georgia and Nevada share the same entered employment rate, Georgia served significantly more jobseekers.) Between July 1, 2003, and May 31, 2004, the state labor department helped 339,896 Georgians find jobs.
As a result, a majority of Georgia's 200,000 employers will benefit from a $50 million unemployment insurance tax cut in 2005. This tax reduction was made possible by the Georgia Department of Labor's emphasis on the speedy reemployment of unemployment insurance claimants and a stabilizing job market.
"The transformation of Georgia's employment security system is working," Commissioner Thurmond stated. "This reduction in employer taxes confirms the strong connection between helping jobseekers find work and keeping employer taxes low."
Due to the re-employment efforts of the department, the average length of time jobless Georgians received benefits over the past 12 months was 12.6 weeks, one of the shortest durations in the nation. The national average was 16.5 weeks. By

surpassing the national average by four weeks, the labor department reduced the need for benefit payments by $200 million.
The department's emphasis on re-employment is reflected in a number of initiatives: Transformed the department's 53 "unemployment" offices into career centers; Developed technological innovations, including online filing for unemployment insurance claims, online job posting and online job search; Forged a strong working relationship with employers and employer organizations; Provided persons with disabilities greater access to employment, education and training opportunities; Joined with federal, state and local workforce development partners to build an integrated re-employment system focused on worker preparation and placement.
Dr. Helen Parker, regional administrator, USDOL Employment and Training Administration, Region 3 stated, "One of ETA's top priorities for the workforce development system is helping people get back to work as quickly as possible. I am proud that Georgia ranks at the top of the national scale in individuals entering employment."

Top 10 National Entered Employment Rates

State

Persons Receiving Services

Persons Entered Employment

Entered Employment
Rate

1. Georgia 2. Nevada 3. North Dakota 4. Vermont 5. Kansas 6. Maine 7. New Hampshire 8. Arizona 9. Nebraska 10. Texas

442,862 48,073 38,999 17,229 84,913 22,275 44,528
201,214 35,886
1,205,415

339,896 36,851 28,777 12,693 60,301 15,709 31,225
140,997 25,146
844,640

76.7% 76.7% 73.8% 73.7% 71.0% 70.5% 70.1% 70.1% 70.1% 70.1%

GDOL Hosts Workforce Conference in Columbus
Story By Matia L. Storey

The Georgia Department of Labor took its Sixth Annual Workforce Conference to the valley -- the Lower Chattahoochee Valley of Columbus, GA. The conference attracted more than 1,200 attendees, many from the Lower Chattahoochee, Middle Flint and West Central Georgia Workforce Investment Areas.
"We have to get people ready for change." - Dr. Ratajczak

Convention and Trade Center provided information on workforce development, economic trends and job opportunities. Conference attendees were greeted by several Columbus dignitaries including, Senator Ed Harbison, Rep. Calvin Smyre, Mayor Robert "Bob" Poydasheff, and Rep. Carolyn Hugley, who played an integral part in bringing the Workforce Conference to Columbus. Economist,

Dr. Donald Ratajczak opened the conference with an informative speech on "The Importance of Career Transition in Today's Economic Marketplace."
Ratajczak cited training as a viable way to support career transition stressing the need for jobseekers to acquire training to combat a sluggish economy. He added that training not only leverages Workforce Conf. continued on page 2

Georgia Department of Labor 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751

PRSRT STD POSTAGE & FEES PAID GEORGIA DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR PERMIT NO. 7077

The purpose of the annual conference is to provide information and resources to assist Georgians in adjusting to today's changing workforce. This year's theme, "Career Transitions," defines the employment status of people in Georgia and across the nation.
The two-day conference, held Nov. 3 and 4 at the Columbus, Georgia

Page 2 Vol. Four/Issue 2

FROM THE EDITOR

Janice Reaves Editor, The Beacon
Change is the Constant I have an aunt who worked for more than 25 years at a local manufacturing plant in my hometown of Louisville, Ga. For most of her young adult life, she toiled and labored in a job that had few benefits, offered no retirement plan and no hope for career advancement. Last year, the plant closed and left more than 145 of its employees jobless. Some were offered jobs at its sister plant in another city 30 miles away, while others found themselves unemployed with no transferable skills and unsure of what to do next. This, I'm sure, was frightening for some, and a blessing in disguise for others. I've heard that change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. I strongly believe that only you can change your life and no one can do it for you. My aunt Elsie believed that too. She took advantage of the services offered by the Georgia Department of Labor and is literally changing her life. She enrolled in the Claimant Trainee Program, which allows persons -- who are determined eligible to receive unemployment benefits -- to attend approved training while continuing to receive U.I. benefits. She took this opportunity to enroll in a technical college and is studying to be a health care technician.

The healthcare field is a wise choice too. Let's look at some significant points from the United States Department of Labor: As the largest industry in 2002, health services provided 12.9 million jobs -- 12.5 million jobs for wage and salary workers and about 382,000 jobs for the self-employed. Ten out of 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest are concentrated in health services. About 16 percent of all new wage and salary jobs created between 2002 and 2012 will be in health services -- 3.5 million jobs, which is more new jobs than any other industry. Change is indeed the constant in one's life. What you do with the changes in your life depends totally on you. There are opportunities for all Georgians; just remember when one door closes, another one opens. Why not walk through that open door and create new career opportunities for yourself? The Beacon, a quarterly publication, will consider for publication articles relating to or dealing with the Georgia Department of Labor. Articles must be double-spaced and typewritten. Please include name, address and a daytime phone number with article. Submissions must arrive before the 15th of each month to be considered for the next issue. Articles may be emailed to janice.reaves@dol.state.ga.us or faxed to (404) 656-2683. Editor reserves the right to edit all articles of submission. The Beacon is available in Braille and other alternate formats. Mail articles to: Georgia Department of Labor Suite 600 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303-1751

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor
Employer Committee Still Going Strong After 20 Years
More than 300 Georgia employers and Department of Labor staff were in attendance at the 20th Annual Georgia Employer Committee State Conference in Savannah, GA on Sept. 21-24.
Employer Committees are comprised of local business representatives who establish and maintain a working relationship between the employer community and the Georgia Department of Labor. The committees provide input and guidance in the development of policy and legislation by the Department of Labor as it impacts Georgia employers and employees.
Al Elvins, chair of the Georgia Employer Committee, opened this year's conference with a welcome to conference attendees. He spoke about his concerns on the economic environment, workforce transition and the importance of meeting employers' needs.
Seminar sessions lasted from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. Speakers from all over the state delivered a variety of topics during their sessions. Sessions included: "Enrich Your Workplace and Grow the Bottom Line: An Introduction to Customized Employment," "Emergency Management in the Workplace," "What's Hot - What's Not: Best Employment Practices," "Latest Developments in Immigration," "National Legislative Update," "Stretchability: How to Build Your Agenda for Growth," and many more. During the GDOL and Employer Committee award banquet, GDOL employees were rewarded for their hard work and employer committees were recognized for their service in the community.
Award Winners
Employer Committee Awards: Committee of the Year, Dalton Employer Committee; Community Service Award, Columbus Employer Committee; Project of the Year Winner, LaGrange/West Georgia Employer Committee; Special Achievement Award, Thomson/East Central Georgia Employer Committee; Career Center Awards: Manager of the Year, Beverly Johnson, Augusta Career Center; Employee Marketing Representative "Bumblebee" High Achievement Awards: Districts: 1, Lynn Hayslip, Cordele Career Center; 2, Janie Reilly, Blairsville Career Center; 3, Reginald Brewer, Gwinnett Career Center; 4 North, Bob Keith, Jr., Thomson Career Center; 4 South, Angela Paine, Vidalia Career Center; 5 East, Johnny Franklin, Statesboro Career Center (posthumously); 5 West, Joyce Bland, Douglas Career Center; 6, Mary B. Henderson, LaGrange Career Center; Platinum Award: Cartersville Career Center; Gold Star Award: Statesboro Career Center; Vocational Rehab Awards: Community Involvement Award, Ed Catchings, Augusta VR office; Community Involvement Award, June Murphy, Athens VR office; Job Placement Award, Bess Garrett, Atlanta VR office; Service to Employer Award, Larry Cobb, Griffin VR office.

Workforce continued from front page

jobseekers in today's marketplace, but better prepares them for change in the

workforce. "We have to get people ready for change, because the world [and the

economic marketplace] is changing," he says. Ratajczak also recognized other

factors affecting the economy and the workforce, including: inexpensive labor

overseas, national employment growth and the declining inflation rate.

During the luncheon, co-sponsored by the Greater Columbus Georgia

Chamber of Commerce, James D. Yancey, chairman of the board of Synovus

Financial Corp., delivered the keynote address entitled, "The Object of the

Exercise." He explained to attendees that workforce development is a critical com-

ponent that should be emphasized at work and in the community. Yancey also

emphasized the importance of getting people ready for the workforce by imple-

menting different programs designed to get recent high school graduates and more

experienced jobseekers employed.

The conference offered a variety of presentations including: "Life and Work

After a Catastrophic Injury," "Facilitating Career Transitions: A Team Approach,"

and "Vocational and Transferable Skills Analysis for Dislocated Workers."

For the first time, the Workforce Conference was also held in conjunction with

a Career Transition Expo. The expo featured additional workshops on "Starting

Your Own Business," "Retooling Your Resume," "Training and Retraining," etc.

Exhibitors were also on-site showcasing available resources to promote workforce

development throughout Georgia. Several Georgia Department of Labor divisions,

local universities and technical colleges, high school and college graduate job pro-

grams and workforce associations were among the many exhibitors.

Commissioner Thurmond closed the conference by encouraging attendees to

take control of their career paths and to create new definitions for career success.

Thurmond also shared with conference participants a short video highlighting the

services and resources readily available

to jobseekers and employers. Before

theBECACROEND I T S

concluding his speech, he thanked GDOL employees for their determination and hard work in making the

Janice Reaves, Editor John Ard, Staff writer Carolyn Kowalski, Staff writer Matia L. Storey, Staff writer Keylan Mitchell, Staff writer,
Photographer Nicole Mangham, Layout Designer,

department a success in getting people back to work.
The Sixth Annual Georgia Workforce Conference served as a resource to help jobseekers transition back into the workforce and provided employers with the information needed

Graphic Artist

to hire more skilled workers.

Official Newsletter of the Georgia Department of Labor

James D. Yancey, chairman of the board of Synovus Financial Corp., addresses attendees during lunch. Commissioner Thurmond (left) and Bobby Pack, asst. commissioner of Rehabilitation Services (right), listen as Dr. Donald Ratajczak opens the conference with a speech on career transition.

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor

Vol. Four/Issue 2 - Page 3

building a world-class workforce
Career Center News

Albany
Glenda Busbee received a certificate and pin for 30 years of service with the GDOL. Busbee is a DOL service specialist advance and is a highly skilled and valued employee of the Albany Career Center.

Columbus
Congratulations to Marc Butterfield (Disabled Veteran's Outreach Program) for being selected as April's Employee of the Month. Thanks for being a staff asset.

Juretta Thomas, left, poses with Maraya Turner

Augusta
The Greater Augusta Employer Committee announced Kimberly Clark of Cross Creek High School, the recipient of the first Jobs for Georgia Graduates (JGG) Scholarship. Clark received the $600 award at a breakfast held in her honor at the Augusta Career Center on June 16th.
Juretta Thomas, JGG job placement specialist, congratulates Kimberly Clark, scholarship recipient.

Brunswick
Shawn Slay, DOL service specialist 3 is the Employee of the Year for 2003-2004. Slay displays a high level of commitment to quality customer service and teamwork.
Brunswick Career Center's monthly Mini Job Fair has been well received by community employers and jobseekers. The first Wednesday, 10 to 15 local employers recruit employees at the career center. The Mini Job Fair has resulted in many local jobseekers finding employment.
Carrollton
Vincent Lee Thompson, son of Bob Thompson who is an employer marketing representative in the Carrollton Career Center is presented a $1,500 scholarship from the International Association of Workforce Professionals. Vincent was selected based on his application, letters of recommendation, transcript and essay. Vincent attends LaGrange College.

Hats off to May's Employee of the Month, Jean Bufford, DOL service specialist. Thanks for a job well done.
Congratulations to Vanessia William, DOL services specialist, on being selected as Employee of the Month for June. GDOL appreciates you and applauds your work.

Maraya Turner, coordinator of leadership development for the JGG Career Association, honored Juretta Thomas with a bell symbolic of a teacher who inspires, motivates, mentors and has a positive impact on people's lives, Turner's included. The ceremony was held at Cross Creek High School. JGG is a GDOL program designed to assist high school students in career development.

L-R, Bob Thompson, Vincent Thompson, district director Royce Hopkins and career center manager Harold Durrah

ATLANTA NORTH METRO CAREER CENTER

This summer, Atlanta North Metro Career Center welcomed a new member to its team, Sara Kate Roberts. She was the center's intern.
A writing major from Georgia Southern University, Sara Kate was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. But this 22-year-old is like any other. She's smart, sweet, sassy, and has a mind of her own. Mix that with her outstanding work ethic, and you could not ask for a better employee.
To carry out her duties as intern, Vocational Rehabilitation's Assistive Work Technology staff and TechAble, provided Sara Kate the equipment she needed to perform at Atlanta North Metro. Though she had never seen the GDOL Internet referral system before, Sara Kate quickly adapted to the system. And by the end of the week, she mastered matching up applicants' skills with job requirements. She even took on the center's Probable Placement Report in which she compared customers' reported wages to the job referrals they received from the Atlanta North Metro Career Center to find out if they went back to work.
When Sara Kate's internship expired, Atlanta North Metro staff watched her go with saddened hearts many wishing she could become a permanent member of the team.
- By Katrina N. Jackson Card

Page 4 Vol. Four/Issue 2
Cordele
Congratulations to DOL services specialist 3, Mary Kate Gurley who successfully completed certified resume writing training and is now a certified resume writer.
Maureen Wilson, career center manager, Mary Kate Gurley and Anthony West, career center supervisor are pictured here.
Kings Bay
"Welcome aboard" to Faith CopelandPittman, EMR at the Kings Bay Career Center. Copeland-Pittman has been on board since June.
This year, the Kings Bay Employer Committee sponsored several seminars for area employers on the unemployment insurance program and the Family and Medical Leave Act. One of the themes used to highlight the seminars was: "Put Education to Work."

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor

Career Center News (continued)

Rome
GDOL summer intern Portia Hammond wrote a poem and presented it to the staff of the Rome Career Center upon completion of her internship.

Commissioner Thurmond, Thomasville Mayor Rick Singletary and local officials broke ground September 28 for a new state-of-the-art Georgia Department of Labor career center. Customers of the new career center will be able to utilize all of the department's services, including employment, unemployment, vocational rehabilitation services, employer tax office, and services of the Workforce Investment Board. The new career center, which serves Thomas Co., will be located at 403 North Broad St. in Thomasville.

Portia Hammond poses with Bobby Cochran, DOL services specialist at the career center.
Thomasville
The Cairo and Thomasville Career Centers along with their respective Employer Committees, Thomasville-Times Enterprise and Southwest Georgia Technical College sponsored Job Fair 2004. The event was held at the college. Approximately 700 jobseekers and 33 employers participated. Job Fair 2004 was a successful collaborative effort between the GDOL and local businesses.

Valdosta
Commissioner Thurmond and Valdosta Mayor John J. Fretti officially opened a new GDOL Valdosta Career Center in August. The new career center dedication was delivered during an open house and was hosted by the City of Valdosta, the GDOL's Valdosta Career Center and the South Georgia Employer Committee. The facility houses all workforce-related services useful to employees and jobseekers in the Valdosta area. Workforce Investment Area partners also have a place in the new career center. Such offices include: On-the-Job Training, Youth Employment Program, Older Worker Program, General Educational Development classes, and Telamon, a provider of services to seasonal and migrant farm workers. The Valdosta Career Center also includes vocational rehabilitation offices and is essentially a one-stop center. The career center offers a full range of services to employers seeking to recruit and conduct on-site interviews. Office space, telephones, copiers and faxes are accessible. Training rooms and classrooms are available for both in-house and community use.

L-R, Felicia Freeman, Bonnie Wooten, Marsha Carter, Elizabeth Cranford, Veronica Blackwell, Louise Mitchell, Freddie Noble, Linda Jackson and Pamela Gantt
Monroe
Pat Bailey, manager of the Monroe Career Center presented a $1,000 scholarship to Anginette Hardge. Hardge is attending DeKalb Technical College. The scholarship, sponsored by the Walton Co. Employer Committee is awarded annually to a student attending a technical college.
North Metro - Atlanta
Metro Atlanta Taskforce for the Homeless and the Atlanta North Metro Career Center organized the center's first homeless job fair on August 18. Companies and nonprofits from all sectors were in attendance. Certified resume writers and computers were also on sight to assist applicants in their job search. Professional clothing and barbering were provided to applicants as well. The event was a success and several companies are looking to hire.
Atlanta North Metro Career Center staff person assists jobseeker during the job fair.

L-R, Marilyn Dollar, Cairo Career Center; Cindy Wooten, Thomasville Career Center; Joyce Halstead, SWGA Technical College; and Shannon Dukes, Thomasville/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Inn Express hosted a ribbon cutting grand opening for its new location in Thomasville. Stacy Powell, hotel general manager, thanked the Thomasville Career Center for its assistance in staffing the hotel.

Commissioner Thurmond, center right, and Valdosta Mayor, John J. Fretti cut the ribbon during the dedication of the Valdosta Career Center. They are joined by Susan Dukes, career center manager, Nelda Ryan, district director, Senator Tim Golden and other members of the Valdosta community.

STAFF APPOINTMENTS
James Loyd has been appointed manager of the Americus Career Center. He previously served as residential services director for the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch. He also worked as the disability coordinator for the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council and as operations analyst with the GDOL. Loyd holds a master's degree in public administration and sociology and a bachelor's in philosophy. Frank Bannamon has been promoted to manager of the Waycross Career Center. He formerly served as unit supervisor of the Douglas Career Center, an account representative with Rehabilitation Services and as acting manager of the Douglas Career Center. He holds a bachelor's in philosophy. Lisa Adkisson has been promoted to manager of the Blue Ridge Career Center. Adkisson previously served as an employment marketing representative. She also served as assistant manager of the Blue Ridge Career Center. She is currently working on a bachelor's in business management at the University of Phoenix. Kimberly Brown has been named manager of the Savannah Career Center. Brown joins the department after serving 25 years with Savannah Technical College. She began her career as an instructor at the college in 1984. Other roles with Savannah Tech included department head of Instructional Services, registrar, director of Planning, Research and Evaluation, and assistant vice president for Economic Development. Brown holds a bachelor's in accounting, a master's in finance and has completed coursework towards a doctorate in education. Daisy Woods has been named manager of the Elberton Career Center. Woods began her career with the department as a service specialist in 1992. Her most recent position was service specialist 3 in the Athens Career Center. She took a lead role in ensuring the successful implementation of Georgia Works in Athens. She is a graduate of the EXCEL program and holds a bachelor's in sociology with a minor in criminal justice.

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor

Rehabilitation Services

Vol. Four/Issue 2 - Page 5

DRSHighlights

Making History: Past, Present and Future

Stories By Carolyn Kowalski

It was busy this summer at the Roosevelt Warm Spring Institute for Rehabilitation (RWSIR). One early August morning, Ray Brislin from Team Video Productions was focusing his camera lens at the point in the now dry outdoor pools where the mineral-rich 88-degree water used to flow in. Weeks earlier, RWSIR bustled with world-class athletes, and the air buzzed with conversations in a half dozen languages, including Japanese, German and Turkish. Both groups were making history.
Brislin and his colleagues were working on "FDR: A Presidency Revealed," a History Channel documentary to be broadcast sometime in April, 2005, to mark the 60th anniversary of Roosevelt's death at Warm Springs. The production will explore what brought FDR to the area and what he found when he arrived, as well as how the President established the Warm Springs Foundation and the March of Dimes, its fund raising arm.
The crew also shot footage at the Center for Therapeutic Recreation and Camp Dream, the venue for the third Roosevelt World Basketball Challenge, the most recent international athletic competition hosted at RWSIR's comprehensive sports training complex.

Australia's Troy Sachs and Canada's Patrick Anderson battle to control the opening tip in the men's World Basketball championship game at Warm Springs.

National teams from eight countries took part in both men's and women's pre-paralympic match ups over consecutive weeks. Sponsored by the Roosevelt Warm Springs Development Fund, managed by Therapeutic Rec Center staff, and run by vocational unit students and area volunteers, the competitions were as exciting as they were successful.
Led by Jennifer Warkins of Vernon, IL., Team USA captured the women's competition with a 63-44 win over Canada in the championship game, avenging an earlier 56-53 loss. On the men's side, Australia ended Canada's domination of international play at Warm Springs, handing the starstudded Canadian team it's first defeat in seven tournaments with a dramatic 67-61 upset in the championship contest.
While FDR may have never imagined an international wheelchair competition, he just might have "seen" Camp Dream when he said in 1927, "Someday, perhaps, Warm Springs will be a vast establishment with hundreds of people. If it is, and we continue the same kind of spirit that exists today, there is no question that no place in the world would give finer results, both to the body and to the spirit."

Diving Into a Day's Work

How did a guy from the Midwest end up working with disabled scuba divers

in the Caribbean? Simple. By surviving a bad employment market, taking a job

as a rookie in a field that developed into a career, and marrying business with

pleasure.

When Jack Gilson was laid off in 1974, it took weeks before he landed a sales

and marketing training position with TeleSensory, a firm that developed tech-

nologies for the blind. Thirty years later, Gilson is an Assistive Work Technology

(AWT) supervisor with the GDOL Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program and

his "territory" covers metro Atlanta and parts of central Georgia.

Gilson oversees a 10-person team that is committed to identifying and rec-

ommending assistive technology for persons with disabilities wanting to go to

work -- from vehicle modifications to voice recognition and speech output com-

puter software, ergonomic trackballs, and modified keyboards.

After receiving scuba diving lessons as a 50th birthday present, Gilson was

introduced to Eels on Wheels, an adaptive dive group based in Austin, TX,

whose focus is to take the wheelchair out of wheelchair sports. He was hooked.

As an adaptive dive buddy, Gilson works mostly with paraplegics and quad-

riplegics, becoming their arms or legs -- helping disabled divers get into and out

of the boat and the water, assisting with putting on the equipment, propelling

them once underwater, and teaching them how to equalize pressure (he pinches

the nose and the disabled diver blows) and control breathing so the dive lasts as

long as possible on one tank of air.

"It's a great vacation to a world that is all at once colorful, breathtaking,

exciting and relaxing," Gilson says, "combined with the total enjoyment of

watching people with disabilities react to the experience with total amazement

and pure joy." "I've been to several locations, and in each place, it's terrific to

see a row of empty

wheelchairs lined up on

the dock," Gilson says.

As one of Gilson's dis-

abled dive companions

noted, "We are allowed

to survive in a potentially

dangerous environment

80 to 100 feet beneath

the waves, to get up

close and personal with

large, friendly sea crea-

tures. Dive buddies

make it possible for us

to physically and men-

tally escape the confines

Jack Gilson (L) and his companion diver, who is a of our wheelchairs for

quadriplegic, "mug" for the fish and the camera.

hours on end."

Planting Seeds for Future Growth

Over the past 45 years, the Georgia Rehabilitation Association (GRA)

Training Conference has developed a reputation for living up to its chosen

theme. This year's late August gathering at Callaway Gardens was no different.

Greetings by Callaway Foundation chairman Emeritus Howard H. "Bo" Callaway

officially opened the 46th annual conference entitled,"Cultivating Knowledge at

the Gardens."

More than 300 vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals from both the

public and private sectors were able to reaffirm their passion about assisting

people with disabilities to work. Attendees were exposed to new concepts and

skills during a variety of high-level concurrent sessions, informal networking

groups, and professional subgroup meetings that emphasized learning as well as

advocacy. And perhaps most importantly, participants were reminded of some

basic truths ever present in their professional lives:

Any given injury at any moment in time may result in a career-changing dis-

ability and trigger into action the old saying "Give a man a fish and feed him for

a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime."

Without mutual trust, respect, commitment and collaboration, a group of

individuals working on the same project is merely a task group, not a team.

A highlight of every GRA Conference is the awards presentation. Several are

given and each is well deserved. This year one is notable. Richard Lane, owner

and president of Five Points Deli & More in Athens, and an enthusiastic advocate

for hiring people with disabilities, received the Isaac Max Heller Employer of

the Year award for 2004. Over the course of his five-year

partnership with the

Georgia Department of

Labor/VR program, Lane

has hired 11 clients from

the Athens VR office;

they routinely comprise

half the deli's staff. In

addition,

every

employee has the oppor-

tunity to receive such

benefits as a 401K retire-

ment account, PPO

health insurance, life

insurance, paid vacation,

and attendance bonuses.

A commitment such

as Lane's is definitely a Richard Lane (center) is flanked by Isaac Max Heller's

seed worth planting.

grandson, Jeffrey (L), and GRA president Joe Haselden.

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor

Vol. Four/Issue 2 Page 6

Coffee Break
Alfred Quentin Miller

Anyone

entering

GDOL offices across

metro Atlanta is likely

to encounter one of 24

Wackenhut security

guards securing the

building and staff. They

are friendly, depend-

able, helpful, and most

of all, well-trained for the job. Security

chief Alfred Quentin Miller is responsible

for ensuring that guards are on post daily,

and that the workplace is safe.

Officer Miller graciously took a moment out of his busy schedule for a Coffee Break with the Beacon.

Officer Miller, how did you end up with a career in law enforcement? Take us on your life's journey. That's a good question, because I didn't start out thinking I would have a career in law enforcement. After graduating from high school in Shannon, MS, I attended Grambling State University in LA to further my education and play football. During a game I broke my leg. One year and one broken leg later, I was in the Army. It broke my Mom's heart because she really wanted me to attend college.

So, you're off in the Army, what was that experience like? I was in the Army for four years. It was an experience that I enjoyed. It taught me discipline and I got the opportunity to travel. I was stationed in OK, Korea, and ended my stint at Ft. Stewart military base in Ft. Stewart, GA.

You're fresh out of the Army, now what? Well, I was already in the Savannah area and one of the best jobs there at the time was on the Savannah Police Force. I took the test, passed and as the old saying goes, the rest is history. I was on the force from 1990 to1998.

But what about that dream deferred and breaking your Mom's heart? I'm happy to say that I went back to college. I attended Savannah State College from 1994 to1998 and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. After I received my degree, I took a job in Atlanta with a company called Compass Communication as a design engineer. I was there for two years when the company was bought out.

I decided to go back into law enforcement after Compass folded. I considered working for the Atlanta Police Department, but decided to work for Wackenhut because it's less dangerous and there is less risk.

What are you up to when you're not on the job? I'm writing a book. It's fictional with the main character, "Que" based loosely on my life experiences. I am an avid reader. Reading is such a solitary activity, but my wife is an avid reader too, so that doesn't present a problem with us. I have two girls and a boy, so there's not much television in our house. When my wife and I read, they have to read also.

You always seem so calm and relaxed. What do you attribute that to? My father instilled in me something that I live by. He said, `Son, there are two different problems in life. The ones you can fix, and the ones you can do nothing about.' So, I don't let things worry me that I can't fix. Maybe that's why I'm the well rounded person I am today.

- Janice Reaves

World-class Customer Service

Melvin A. Pittman
East Point, Georgia 30344
Honorable Michael Thurmond Commissioner Georgia Department of Labor 148 Andrew Young International Blvd. Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30303
Dear Commissioner Thurmond:
I have a retarded brother who wants to work and who obtained services through your agency's Rehabilitation Services office. His counselor is Ms. Susan Byers of your Hapeville, GA office.
As a former elected municipal official myself, I have seen and have had personal experiences with committed public servants. I know and understand the value of those committed servants. Ms. Byers is one of them.
I am writing this letter to let you know of a genuine asset you have in your Rehabilitation Services program. Ms. Byers takes a genuine interest in her clients, as shown by her advocacy on my brother's behalf with Goodwill Industries. If she fights for her other clients (and I believe she does) as she has for my brother, then those persons are truly blessed.
I want you to know that we appreciate and thank her for her efforts and work. Again, we wanted to let you know that you have a very precious asset in Ms. Susan Byers.
Yours truly,

Melvin A. Pittman

Susan Byers

Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner Georgia Department of Labor 148 Andrew Young International Blvd., NE Atlanta, GA 30303-1751
Dear Mr. Thurmond,
I wanted to take a moment to write to you to tell you of a wonderful and positive experience I had with one of your customer service representatives, Ms. Kerrie Fuller.
I applied for unemployment insurance on Tuesday, June 8, 2004. I received a letter in the mail a few days later indicating that I was to receive zero because I did not work in the year 2003. I knew there was an error.
I called Monday morning, explained my situation and was transferred to Customer Service. I am so thankful I got Ms. Fuller. She listened to me first without cutting me off; she let me explain my situation. She then asked some probing questions, and asked if she could place me on hold. She came back and confirmed there was an error with my name and explained her next steps. She said she was going to have the benefit run again and would call me first thing the following day with information. She kept her word and called first thing the following morning. I was so impressed!
Ms. Fuller has made a very trying time in my life so much easier to deal with. I cannot express how thankful I am and how lucky you are to have someone who takes pride in her work and does her job so well. You should be very proud of her and I just wanted you to know.
Sincerely,

Shirley O'Driscoll

Kerrie Fuller

Robert C. Dyle
Kingsland, Georgia 31548

To: Louise V. Mitchell Field Service Supervisor Georgia Department of Labor St. Mary's, Georgia
Subject: Bonnie G. Wooten
I would like to inform you of the pleasant, professional, and friendly demeanor that your employee Ms. Wooten always has.
I have been unemployed now for a while, and I am at the St. Mary's office two or three times a week. On every occasion, she always greets everyone with a pleasant smile and a friendly "May I help you". Because of her attitude, kindness, and professionalism, she transforms aggravated, rude, and upset people into people that actually become calm and agreeable. No matter how busy she is, she always takes time to make people feel as if they are important.
My wife was leery of finding work because she is 55 and thought it would be almost impossible. Ms. Wooten would not accept that and thanks to her confidence in my wife and her reassurance, I am happy to say my wife is now working for her new employer.
I hate the drudgery of continually looking for work, but every time I leave the career center I feel like there is hope. I know that it is because of the friendliness, professionalism, and care she emanates.
I hope that in this down sizing world we live in, you never down size or abolish her job. If you do you will be doing a great discredit to your organization and our community. I want you to further understand that all your employees are outstanding, but my dealings with Ms. Wooten help me feel like I still can contribute and have dignity.
Very Respectfully:

Robert C. Dyle

Bonnie Wooten

Michael Thurmond Commissioner Georgia Department of Labor Suite 600 148 Andrew Young International Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30303
Dear Commissioner Thurmond:
While I work full-time, I also work at home constructing Affirmative Action Programs (AAPs) for federal contractor clients. Statistical data required to develop the availability analysis is obtained from the responsible agency in each state identified by the contractor as an area from which they recruit when hiring.
That said, I had a need to obtain the required statistics based on the 1990 Census for Fulton County, GA. I say had, because thanks to Ms. Faye Duzan, I have the information I need. Ms. Duzan responded to my e-mail posted using the on-line form. I was unable to reply to Ms. Duzan with clarifying information. I used the online form again with a desperate plea, mentioning Ms. Duzan by name as the person who had originally replied.
Ms. Duzan was provided my second message also. It was then she made a point of devoting herself to helping me despite what I can imagine is a daunting workload! Ms. Duzan offered her fax number so that I could send her my clarifying information. She instructed me to let her know, if what she was sending did not turn out to be what I needed and that she would research further. We had quite a friendly exchange! I can imagine she deals with all customers with the same friendly professionalism that she extended to me. Ms. Duzan went out of her way to ensure I was able to get the Georgia statistics I needed as quickly as possible.
I wanted you to know the efforts Ms. Duzan put forth on behalf of GDOL. She definitely shed a positive light on your agency, and I would hope she is acknowledged, it is deserved.
Thank you for your time in reading this letter.
Sincerely,

Kathy L. Egan

Faye Duzan

Alice Ritchhart, BCDE, Inc.

Dear Commissioner Thurmond:

I am writing this letter to give praise and recognition to one of your DOL career centers for the way they handled working with someone who is blind. The office I am referring to is the Brunswick Career Center. Two months ago I walked in as if I were a consumer needing their services to see how I would be treated. I work for an independent living center in Brunswick, and am a member and advocate of the Georgia Council o/t Blind, and member of the Georgia Coalition of the Blind. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that they were willing to assist me right on the spot, and not suggest that I contact the Divisions of Rehabilitation Services.

I asked the young lady behind the desk (Teta Grant) how she could assist me with their services. She proceeded to pull out all the information they provide to customers in Braille and large print. I then asked if she had a computer that was accessible so I could go out and look for job openings. She explained there was a computer with speech for those who are blind, those who have issues using their hands, and that there is even scanning equipment for reading want ads and other materials. I asked if someone was available to show me how to operate the equipment, and was told there were a couple of people in the office who could assist me if needed. I then asked about a try for customers who are deaf that might contact them, and was told where the TTY was located in the main reception area so anyone could answer it if an individual called. The main issue though is not having an interpreter available, but the rep. told me they contact Rehabilitation Services to obtain an interpreter if needed.

The staff was friendly, accommodating, and I just want to be sure that they receive the recognition deserved. I know for a fact that some of the other one-stop shops are not this accessible yet, and so I think that the Brunswick Career Center could serve as an example of what an excellent one stop is. So thanks to you, Janet Hill, and all those people in the DOL office who have made the employment services totally inclusive for all Georgians. I look forward to the day when all individuals in Georgia can enter their DOL offices and receive the same professional services the Brunswick Career Center provides.

Sincerely; Alice Ritchhart

Editor's Note: The Star Award is presented each quarter to a GDOL staff member who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Teta Grant

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor
Workforce Investment Act

Vol. Four/Issue 2 Page 7

WIAConnections

The Atlanta Regional Workforce Board Highlights Gwinnett Corrections Project

For 10 years, the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board's Gwinnett Corrections Project has been helping people get their lives together. The project offers occupational skills training in welding, HVAC and commercial apartment maintenance to prisoners at Gwinnett County Correctional Institution.
The project takes a holistic approach in preparing offenders for re-entry into society upon their release. Project staff members work to assess and identify a plan to overcome any life barriers participants may have. Since the majority of the inmates have experienced substance and alcohol addiction, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous is an important first step in their rehabilitation.
During 13-week sessions, classes are open to eight to 10 participants per class, five days a week. Classes include 250 or 310 hours of occupational skills instruction, and 100 hours or more in motivation, retention, job search and personal development. Classes are held in the late afternoon and into the evening, after inmates return from regular county work assignments, and for one full day each week. Different types of skills training courses are offered to inmates depending on current labor market needs.
GED preparation and basic skills improvement is another key component of the program.
Prison program staff also work with trainees to arrange job interviews before their release from prison. Staff members escort inmates to employers for job interviews, arrange on-site interviews at the prison, and make arrangements for pre-employment physicals so inmates can walk out of prison and into a job. Job development, and post-incarceration support system development is coordinated with the TOPPSTEP program of the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia Department of Labor. Offenders leave the program with in-demand skills in an important occupational area.
The project not only has a great reputation in the community, but also is well known among the inmate population as a program designed to turn lives around.
At each graduation, former inmate graduates who are now successful employees, give testimonies to graduation participants and inmates who have just com-

pleted the program. After the ceremony, several prospective employers meet graduates and recruit them to work for their companies. The project is highly respected, and it has the results and the stats to back it up.
During the lifetime of this project, 233 offenders have been served, accomplishing an 86.7 percent placement rate. More than 95 percent of former participants were employed three months after termination, earning an average of $449 per week.
Though most of the project's clientele are current inmates who dropped out of school and have a history of substance abuse, most do not return to prison. Additional benefits of the project include more trained workers, and reduction in county tax funds. Additional benefits often include support of needy families or child support.
The project's long-term follow-up and contact with participants is a key reason the program is successful. Once participants complete training and are released from prison they are required to stay in touch with their program career advisor twice monthly for a year. Career advisors also make on-site employer visits to ensure participants are making a successful transition to their new jobs and responsibilities.
The project is funded by Workforce Investment Act funds from the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board (ARWB) and Gwinnett County. On-site occupational skills training is provided by the Center for Industry and Technology through ARWB funds. Commissioner Michael Thurmond has visited the program site and would like to see it implemented in other counties. Variations of this program have been replicated by DeKalb County and its Workforce Board. Fulton County is also in the planning stages for replication in the Sheriff's Department.
The Corrections Project is truly one of a kind in Georgia. The project has won several national, state and local awards, including the National Association of Counties Achievement Award for distinguished job training in the United States. It is also the recipient of the Governor's Award for the Most Innovative Job Training Program in Georgia.

Fulton County is Hooked On Health

On June 3, the Fulton County

Office of Workforce Development

honored outstanding Fulton

County high school students,

major sponsors, and partners at its

first Hooked On Health Awards

Ceremony. The affair, held at the

Helene S. Mills Senior

Multipurpose Facility, paid tribute

to 25 students who completed

paid internships at one of the following healthcare organizations: Atlanta Medical Center, Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness and Piedmont Hospital.
As a precursor to their internships, students completed job

Gloria Kusmik and Sloane Shepard, GDOL; Valarie Wilson, Fulton Co. Human Services Department; Burrell Billingslea, Fulton Co. Office of Workforce Development; Gerry Easley, Fulton Co. Human Services Department

readiness and life skills courses.

Three students were

awarded "Rising Star" awards for exceptional performance exhibited during

their internships.

Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Piedmont Hospital and

Atlanta Medical Center representatives were also recognized for their avid par-

ticipation and support.

Special guests who attended the event included: Gloria Kusmik, executive

director, Georgia Workforce Investment Board; Sloane Shepard, consultant,

Employment and Training Department, Georgia Department of Labor; and

Tonya Eaton, specialist, Career Technology, Fulton County Schools. Insightful and

encouraging words were given by keynote speaker Regina St. George, education

program specialist with the Georgia Department of Education.

The Hooked On Health program has proven to be a rewarding opportunity

for the Office of Workforce Development in addressing the sharp decline of

Georgia healthcare professionals by exposing youth to occupational possibilities

available within the industry.

Graduates Finish with

"Real Skills"
Story By Linda Wortham

It started with a dream and ended with a skills certificate earned.

Graduation for the Montgomery County Real Skills Training Class was held

in January at the New Hope Community Center in Mount Vernon.

It was a proud day for the four graduating students and their families. What

started as a pilot program for Montgomery County, and funded with Workforce

Investment Act funds, is now a progressive success.

Graduates range in age from 17 to 21. They were taught carpentry, decon-

struction terminology, shingle roofing, and electrical and plumbing skills via class-

room and hands-on training. The program's short-term goal is to aid participants

in getting certified. Pre-employment skills are also covered in class to get stu-

dents acclimated with job interviewing. The program's long-term goal is to assist

participants with becoming self-sufficient, becoming employed and/or continuing

their education.

Instructors with years of experience were recruited by program staff to

teach graduates trade and industry know-how, as well as to help prepare stu-

dents without a high school diploma to take the GED.

Key players involved include: the Workforce Investment Act, RESA of

Eastman, Montgomery Economic

Development

Authority,

Montgomery County Board of

Commissioners, City of Mount

Vernon, New Hope Community

Center, Job Training Unlimited, Inc.,

Choo Choo Building Supply and

private individuals.

RESA oversees the program. Job

Training Unlimited, Inc. works under

the supervision of the Heart of

Georgia Altamaha RDC and with the GDOL. For more information regarding this program contact RESA at 478-374-2240 or JTU at 1-800-503-0204 or visit

Participants Standing: Dawon Troup, Alvin Ricks, Michael Nobles, Jonathan Johnson; Sitting: Instructor Charles Nobles; Kneeling: Instructor John Howell

www.region9wib.org.

Page 8 Vol. Four/Issue 2
SPOTLIGHT ON... Gwen Dellinger
A "Georgia girl" at heart, Gwen Dellinger is no novice to Rome. Living in the city since she was two, she's been serving the surrounding areas for 31 years. She began working at the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center in 1973 assisting with childcare centers for disadvantaged children. Since then, she's held a plethora of posts all of which involve helping people. Since 2000, Dellinger has been director of Workforce Development for the Northwest Georgia Workforce Investment Board (housed in the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center). But no matter how many times her roles change, Dellinger always allows her life mission to find its way into her day on and off the clock. "When we leave, we should try to leave this [world] better than when we came. I've been real lucky to have a job that fits in with being able to help other people," she says. "[With the Workforce Investment Board,] families [are] able to support themselves, and take care of their children. And employment is really one of the basic things in life that I can help with." As director, Dellinger spearheads the cooperative employment efforts of agencies, organizations and businesses in 15 Northwest Georgia counties. Together these entities assist jobseekers workers in
Northwest Georgia with employment and educational training opportunities through the Workforce Investment Act. Signed into law in 1998, the WIA distributes approximately $54 million annually for employment and training services statewide to 20 workforce investment areas, Northwest Georgia being one of them. It is Dellinger's responsibility to ensure that funds are available to cover tuition, childcare and transportation for program participants. Funds are allocated based on jobs in demand in Northwest Georgia. "We're the carpet capital of the world," Dellinger smiles. "The carpet industry isn't [declining, even though other industries are]. They're always looking for people. And of course healthcare is a shortage area everywhere. We train people in the healthcare profession [too]. We encourage people to go into that [field] because we know that we can get them jobs." On the downside, Dellinger sometimes gets frustrated when she doesn't "have all the answers." Her business is purely reactionary to the local economy, rather than preventive. But at the end of the day, even with the unpredictability of the job market, Dellinger has peace of mind. "I enjoy having something to offer," she says.
-Matia L. Storey
G1GEORGIA ONE-STOP CAREER NETWORK
Sponsored by Georgia Department of Labor See the GDOL web site (www.dol.state.ga.us)

The BEACON Georgia Department of Labor

UI Earns Performance Award

The United States Department of Labor recently presented the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) award for fiscal year 2003 to the Georgia Department of Labor's unemployment insurance program.
The GPRA was developed in 1993 to establish specific performance indicators for the public workforce system. There are three specific GPRA goals established by the Secretary of Labor for the unemployment insurance program:
Make timely benefit payments to unemployed workers Establish tax accounts promptly Improve payment accuracy to unemployed workers. During fiscal year 2003, the Georgia Department of Labor's performance in these areas exceeded Region 3 (USDOL) standards. Other states within this region include: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Pictured are chiefs of each unit. Front row: Alice Mitchell, Appeals; Jane Satterfield, representing Nancy Fickling, (Board of Review); Annie Laster, Claims Administration; Sharon Baker, Tax; Back row: Paul Crawford, Quality Assurance; Brock Timmons, Legal Section; Greg Wynn, Policy and Procedures; and Bobby Thomas, asst. commissioner for Unemployment Insurance.

Customer Service, the Way it Should Be
Story By Matia L. Storey When many hear the term "call-in customer service," they often shake their heads in despair. A common presumption with call-in customer service is that it's merely extended waiting for an automated voice offering little or no assistance to customers. Fortunately, GDOL soothes these frustrations for its unemployment insurance callers. In February 2002, senior management heads from the Quality Assurance, Tax, Assignment Control, Child Labor, Legal, and Claims departments created a customer service committee. Three months later, the committee launched the Customer Service Unit with a "goal to have a [call center] where people could call and get all their [unemployment insurance] questions answered," says Valerie Hayes, unit supervisor. Initially, the call center was a temporary project to see how well it would serve claimants and employers. It became permanent as a part of the Valerie Hayes, unit supervisor, assists, Judith Bray, customer Policies & Procedures Department in February 2004 after its service associate, with a UI caller. success spawned. "We've gotten letters from customers complimenting that the rep they spoke to was helpful. People are pretty happy when they know they have one number they can call and people can help them," Hayes says. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback." When asked what he thinks about the success of the call center, Greg Wynn, director of Policies and Procedures, comments. "It's a great thing. It's something we should have done before...It has reduced the number of frustrated clients.... I know it's been very much a success." Currently, there are 10 people on staff in the Customer Service Unit with backgrounds in benefits, tax and appeals. Each is cross-trained to answer the various questions callers have regarding their unemployment insurance. Common inquiries range from: "I haven't received my check" to "My insurance PIN has been suspended." Most reps are able to resolve questions, on average, in two to three minutes. For those customers who opt not to call-in, customer service reps can be reached via email -- customer.service@dol.state.ga.us. But as claimants and employers become increasingly aware of the Customer Service Unit, calls are increasing as well. "On Mondays, we're getting well over a 1,000 calls a day. It's getting rough to handle all those calls," says Hayes. Monday is the busiest day, and wait time is usually longer than normal. Yet, in an effort to increase efficiency, Wynn is seeking to add at least five more representatives to help handle the 800-900 calls received daily. Wynn also mentions that inputting frequently asked questions and other customer service information on the GDOL website is also a possibility. But for now, the Customer Service Unit is accessible via phone and email. Says Hayes, "I'm glad they created the unit. I think it's a good thing when we can help these people efficiently and in a timely manner where they don't have to wait. And they don't feel like they have to call the career centers for everything. And if they feel like we're here to help, then they'll want to call us back." Wynn boasts that the employees are the main reason why the call center is so successful. "When we interviewed them and selected them, we were looking for service-oriented people. They're well trained and they have the right attitude about customer service." Claimants and employers can readily reach the Customer Service Unit by dialing 404.232.3001 or 1.877.709.8185. Representatives are on call daily, Monday through Friday, 8a.m. 4:30p.m.
LIBRARY SELECTION OF THE MONTH

The Office of Staff Development is featuring What Color Is Your Parachute? 2004 as the "Selection of the Month." For more than three decades now, Robert Bolles' practical manual for job-hunters and career-changers has been referred to as "the job-hunters' bible." Each year, it is revised, and sometimes vastly rewritten, by the author, giving firsttime and veteran readers alike something new to discover. Writing in a down-to-earth, nonacademic style, Bolles provides shortcuts for those who may already have the answers and step-by-

step details for those who do not. Like other books of its type, this version contains a combination of exposition and exercises. It also provides information on useful Internet sites, how to select a career counselor, and much more. For those who have not read an updated version in recent years, call (404) 232-3835 to check out this book and see why What Color Is Your Parachute? remains the gold standard of career guides.
- Dave Razel