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CareerSource Polk’s Lakeland Career Center, where residents can access free job search assistance, training programs and community events. | Kayla Borg, LkldNow
2-minute read
On Aug. 28, CareerSource Polk hosted an open house, connecting residents to jobs, skills, and financial tools. The free, walk-in event showed the community what’s available — from resume help to tuition assistance.
Jobseekers attended CareerSource Polk’s open house to polish their resumes, take part in mock interviews designed to help build confidence, and learn about unemployment assistance.
CareerSource Polk’s team was “all hands on deck,” connecting residents with the tools they need for career growth.
Financial literacy workshops — Teach practical money skills to help households move beyond paycheck-to-paycheck living.
Young Leaders Program (ages 16-24) — Offers hands-on experience and internships that often lead to permanent jobs.
“We help people go back to school or training to earn a degree or certification — and ultimately, help our community find employment.”
Alicia Anderson, jobs and benefits supervisor at CareerSource Polk.
By offering resume help, tuition support and career pathways, CareerSource Polk helps close those gaps for local residents.
Inside CareerSource Polk’s Lakeland center, residents explore job search tools, training programs and employer connections during the Aug. 28 open house. | Kayla Borg, LkldNow
Connecting Employers and Jobseekers
CareerSource Polk partners with local employers through EmployFlorida.com and at on-site recruitment events. When employers post job openings, jobseekers are then matched with referrals. Sometimes companies hire on the spot during in-person events.
Anderson said CareerSource Polk is also proud to support veterans, recalling a recent success story: “We assisted a veteran who faced barriers to employment, and they were able to land a job paying more than $40 an hour.”
2025 Partnering for Success: College, Career & Veterans Fair – Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Bartow Civic Center
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a Lakeland native and graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her degree in English and film production. She began her media career in Atlanta at CNN, quickly rising from production assistant editor to technical director/editor, leading live broadcasts alongside field reporters. Since then, she’s worked in education, instructional design and independent filmmaking.
