In a partnership between the San José Public Library Foundation and San José Public Library, we are excited to announce our new College and Career Pathways Fellow, Daniel Lockett. The position, generously funded through Comcast, will help graduates of Library programs such as Career Online High School as they transition from academic programs into higher education and meaningful careers. A first-generation college student and graduate himself, Daniel will work to connect graduates with critical resources such as college counselors, career mentors, and professional development opportunities, to help them achieve their post-graduation goals. This important work will ensure San José residents have the support they need to take the next step in their education and careers.
What interested you about this role?
I applied for this role because it gave me the opportunity to make an impact on my community. One of the hardest and loneliness things someone can experience is navigating education without the proper support system, which often leads to people giving up. The Career Online High School program offers community members another chance at obtaining their high school diploma, regardless of their reason for not having one. This role gives me the ability to have a direct impact within the program by providing resources and knowledge to the COHS students and alumni that I wish I knew about.
As a recent graduate yourself, what professional support do you wish you had?
As a recent graduate, I wish I had a mentor or advisor that could’ve guided me through obtaining internships, networking, or building a professional portfolio. As it goes for most first – generation students or graduates, I was pretty much thrown into the fire once I entered college. A lot of the things I learned, such as resumes or interviewing, were taught to me through my own trial and errors. Even as a graduate, there are things I’m still learning as I go through the workforce.
What do you hope to achieve in this role?
I hope I’m able to give clarity to Career Online High School students and graduates, during their decision to pursue further education or a career. I also want to build a support network for students and alumni, allowing them to have confidence in their abilities to succeed during and after the program.
What is your favorite book?
The Harry Potter series will always be my favorite, due to the amount of world building, twists, and interesting characters. Looking back, I wish Harry would’ve chosen Slytherin! A bonus series would be the Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima, a great series with a theme around a lowly thief turning into a powerful and respected wizard with royal blood.
Do you have a favorite library memory/ Did you enjoy going to the library as a kid?
I loved libraries as a kid. I used to spend my free time as kid going to the main library when I lived in San Francisco. My favorite memory is my high school librarians knowing me by name because I would check out a new book almost every day.
Thanks for sharing a little about yourself, Daniel! We look forward to seeing the impact you will have!