The motivation and drive to return to school after a long period in the workforce can be daunting for some. With the right support system and resources at one’s disposal, however, the first step can be less intimidating. For John Bower, an Iraq War combat veteran, the decision to start over didn’t come without anxiety and fear, but thanks to the Career, Business & Nonprofit Services (CBN) at CLP – Main, a dedicated staff member, and his positive outlook, John had everything he needed to follow a new path and pursue new goals.
John is no stranger to starting over. In January 2024, he was in a wheelchair and had to relearn how to walk. “I was at the point of completely starting over, and while I was figuring that out, there were lots of things that crossed my mind, so I was thinking, ‘How in the world am I gonna start over again at 49 years old?’ Libraries in general crossed my mind.”
John began his journey at CLP – Main. With a nice suit, a leather binder in hand, and an open mind, John left his home in rural Fredericktown, PA, and made the trek to Pittsburgh.
“I just went to the Library with no intentions whatsoever, other than to go to the Library and see what in the world was there. I obtained a library card and began walking around the facility. I walked upstairs, saw the Career, Business & Nonprofit Services area and spent an hour or two looking at the books that were there. Seeing the different choices, it lit a fire in me, and I made an appointment.”
During John’s trip to CLP – Main, he met librarian Matt Chabak, who would become a driving force in his return to formal education and a new career. Matt is a Career, Business & Nonprofit Librarian. He focuses on providing comprehensive support to individuals, navigating job and career development and educational planning. Because of his experience, generous spirit and friendly demeanor, Matt is able to meet the needs of patrons at every stage of their journey. He supports a diverse range of library users by delivering accessible, personalized and impactful career services rooted in equity, empowerment and community engagement.
Thanks to donors like you, CLP offers numerous classes, databases, appointments, and digital and physical resources. Matt says, “Each person will have specific needs among those assets, but I believe that having one of our staff members work with them is the most important service that we offer. We may not know the solution right away, but we can do research and find options to explore. Our job is to help connect you to the right resources or individuals to achieve your goals, and having access to that kind of support at the Library is incredibly valuable.”
Since early 2025, Matt has worked with John to navigate and communicate with multiple veteran support organizations in Allegheny County. With Matt’s assistance, John is now using his military benefits to attend Pennsylvania Western University for a bachelor’s degree, something John didn’t even know was an option before he visited the Library.
Before going to the CBN, John was adrift considering what to do next without a college degree. He was thinking about everything from moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career to serving in the Ukrainian Army to starting his own subcontracting business. The guidance that John received at the Library helped him discover that a bachelor’s degree was possible and affordable.
Now that he is pursuing environmental law, John is excited to use his schooling for good, to help the planet. He has been passionate about sustainability for a long time. For years, he promoted the use of reusable shopping bags by giving them to loved ones around the holidays. Although he receives mixed feedback from others when he takes them on his local grocery trips, he still shares his belief that a better planet is possible, one less plastic bag at a time. He has the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Career, Business & Nonprofit Services and staff to thank for the decision to return to school and pursue his passion.
And thanks to your support of the Library, what John thought was beyond reach is now possible.
As of now, John is keeping his personal goals broad. He was 25 in 2001 when 9/11 occurred. He joined the military just three days after the terrorist attacks, adamant about serving his country. Inspired by his military service, he would like to find a job in environmental law in D.C. after completing his degree. But he’s traveled many roads in his life to get where he is now, and he’s open to whatever opportunities come his way—even if that means the final result isn’t what he’s currently envisioning.
“Personally, through this process, I’m looking for a sense of peace for myself. After I started this journey, I drew out my goals of purpose, passion, money, adventure and learning. Matt helped me figure out what excited me. And environmental law, for me, serves all of the above.”
John has already recommended the CBN services to others. Coming from a small rural area of less than 500 people, John is spreading the word about the services that Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and other public libraries provide.
“The Library is like a secret weapon. For somebody like me, you’re not gonna get the help that I was offered through a website. You’ve got to walk in and meet the staff.”
Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Donors like you ensure that people of all ages can find the support and resources they need at the Library to pursue education and life-long learning.