Career-showcase Vocations Series kicks off at Plum library

Plum Borough Community Library officials will launch a new event series Thursday that’s geared toward showcasing careers to young people.

“What we’re trying to do is get our young people to start to think early about their future and possibilities of their future careers,” said library trustee Laura Mason. “Young people don’t really see all of the possibilities in front of them. We’re trying to bring that to them. It’s going to be a wide variety of careers. It’s different than the usual job fairs.”

Today’s inaugural Vocations Series event is set for 6:30 p.m. at the library, 445 Center New Texas Road.

The guest speaker will be Carl Cimini, Pittsburgh Community Television’s director of community relations and productions.

He will discuss managing studio productions, community outreach and supervision of volunteers and interns, as well as producing, directing and editing in-house and for-hire productions.

Registration is preferred but not required.

“My talk will basically be geared toward how to get a job or work within the broadcast television industry and the many different possible positions available,” Cimini said.

He said the library reached out to North Side-based PCTV, and he is happy to participate.

“Since we’re nonprofit, our business is to sort of work with the community, help the community out,” he said. “It works for both of us. We’ve just gone (Allegheny County)-wide. We’ve previously only been (open) for people to use our services in the (City of Pittsburgh). It’s another way to build goodwill in the library system.

“You never know when someone hears or sees something that sparks their imagination and (drives) them to pursue whatever given field.”

Mason said the library is working on having two such events per month, and wants to offer them in the evenings so more people can come.

“It’s a new pilot program and we’re just going to see where it takes us,” Mason said. “We’re just hoping it will be successful and spark more programs at other libraries and school districts. … It’s something that has not been done, at least not in this area, that we’ve found. I think we’re filling a void for our young people.”

Mason said the library is working with Plum Borough School District to entice juniors and seniors to attend, but the series is open to the public.

The second Vocations Series event is slated for 6 p.m. Oct. 13 with Forbes Road Career and Technology Center heating, ventilation and air conditioning instructor Matthew Bornak.

Other occupations to be highlighted include medical careers, research careers and professional careers in business, law and engineering. Dates and times for future Vocations Series events will be scheduled at the convenience of the speakers.

Any professional wanting to participate should contact the library at 412-798-7323. More information about the Vocations Series will be available online at plumlibrary.org and the library’s Facebook page.

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-871-2367 or mdivittorio@tribweb.com.

Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff reporter. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@tribweb.com or via Twitter .