PASCO PROFILES: A JOB SEEKER

Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

MARSHA BROWN, 30, lives in Spring Hill and is studying at Pasco-Hernando Community College to be a legal assistant.

WHY PASCO? "It's closer, less congested, and the pay's okay, starting around $10 or $12 an hour depending on the type of law. Plus smaller cities help you gain the experience you need. Pasco has a lot less competition. It has smaller firms, but that gives employers a lot more opportunity to take you under their wing and train you."

WHAT'S THE MAJOR CONCERN OF PEOPLE IN YOUR POSITION? "I have a couple of friends who are actively searching, and we found a lot of employers require experience. And you don't have that coming right out of school."

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO BE EFFECTIVE AT WHAT YOU DO? "When you go in, you really have to push and say, "I've had the schooling, I have the skills and I can learn.' Computer skills and communication are also important. You've got to have some type of computer knowledge or you fall to the bottom of the list."

HOW HAS THE BOOMING ECONOMY AFFECTED THE JOB MARKET? "It's all up to the person, but I feel if a person needs a job they can find a job if they're persistent enough. Even if it's not in your direct field . . . you've got to think, "Where can I put my skills?' "

WHAT WILL THE JOB MARKET OF THE FUTURE BE LIKE? "When I was younger, having a high school (diploma) was (enough) to get a job. It's not like that in today's society. You need to have some type of college. Before so many people had the same skills as me. Now that I'll have a degree, I've narrowed that pool down. Later, down the road, I think we'll go to more licensing and state board exams. That'll narrow it down even more."

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