We visited with Janet, curious to learn who she is when not
helping O*NET users “on the Net.” President of
Sage Solutions, she focuses on career and educational assessment. Janet
initially worked in educational testing and assessment during an
internship as a graduate student. She took a slight turn
into career development while living in Italy, managing a careers
office for The Johns Hopkins University. Janet earned a BS
from Northern Illinois University, an M.Ed. at Texas A&M in
Curriculum and Instruction, an Ed.S. at the University of Georgia
in Education Research, Testing and Evaluation, and an Ed.D in Educational
Administration/Leadership from Nova University. Armed also
with a Certificate in Distance Education from the University of
Maryland, Baltimore County, Janet is well-equipped to lead
Webinars about O*NET and its complementary tools.
We caught up with Janet as she is writing a book on test preparation. She
previously has published “Measuring Up: Assessment
Issues for Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators”, and “What
Do I Like to Do: 101 Activities to Understand Interests and
Plan for Careers.” Both are published by Pro-Ed
Inc., Austin, TX. Either would be an excellent acquisition
for your resource library.
Janet consults with the Departments of State, Labor, and Education. She
is board member on the National Security Studies Program for senior
government and military executives at Syracuse University’s
Maxwell School and often acts on education and testing/assessment
task forces and committees.
Janet, what do users
new to O*NET most often want to learn or get help with?
Wall: O*NET users need practical assistance. They
are on the spot to help their clients. They need simple,
easy-to-use tools. They want to know how to get answers for
their clients quickly. O*NET and these assessments fill that
need.
What do you see
on the horizon in the world of workforce development assessment?
Wall: I think that it is clear that technology
is changing the world of assessment. There already are several
instruments available online. O*NET instruments are downloadable
via the Internet. Technology makes assessors’ work
less costly and more effective, IF they use the assessments and
the technology correctly. Generation X and Y people learn
using new technology, so they expect to be tested and assessed
using it.
Janet and her business partner husband, Robert Gard, recently
celebrated their 20th anniversary. She enjoys working
out daily and taking advantage of the benefits of having homes
in both Pebble Beach, CA, and the Washington, DC area. Janet
counts herself fortunate, having been able to work in or visit
nearly 40 countries during her career, most recently including
Korea, Chile, and the Baltics.
We count ourselves lucky to have Janet leading O*NET Webinars. Be
sure to check the schedule and register for an upcoming O*NET Webinar!
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