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A newsletter for the students, faculty and staff of the Collin College. Published monthly. For information or submissions, call 972.599.3142. Cougar News welcomes student and faculty submissions. Next deadline: April 10 All submissions are due by 5 p.m. on the due date. Photos cannot be returned. Text should be emailed to mrobinson@ccccd.edu or sent on disk. Please submit copy that is proofed, edited and saved in Word format. Cougar News staff: Lisa Vasquez, director; Mark Robinson, editor; Marcy Cadena-Smith, contributor; Dana Schmitz, contributor; Sydney Portilla-Diggs, campus correspondent; Stephanie Hall, student correspondent; Nick Young, photographer and layout.
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Plan to succeed at Career Expo 2007
By Pam Heliste
Career Counselor, Career Services & Cooperative Work Experience
We have all heard the saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." This is particularly true when it comes to one’s career. A “plan” is necessary to get you from point A to point B and beyond. It will allow you to remain focused and motivated to succeed. The career planning process is lifelong and does not end after choosing your career and college major. You will continue to plan long after getting your first job. As you grow in your job, change careers and eventually retire, the planning process goes on.
Career planning is a four-step process that one can pursue alone; however, seeking the help of a career development professional can enhance this process. It is imperative, however, that you put forth the necessary thought and energy to choose the “best fit” career for yourself and one for which you can be passionate. Following are the four steps we in Career Services & Co-op recommend to plan for success.
Gather information about yourself through self-assessment. What are your interests, values, skills and abilities? What is your preferred work environment? Do you prefer to work independently or with others; in large groups or small? What is most important to you: salary, recognition, or meaningful work?
Begin by exploring a large cross section of occupations that interest you. Research the industries and specific jobs in which you would like to work. Also, research the labor market. Begin to gather more specific information through written materials, informational interviews, job shadowing, and attending programs such as Collin’s Career Week 2007. You may also explore part-time work, co-ops/internships, and volunteer opportunities. Here again, the career development professional can assist you in developing a step-by-step plan to either expand or narrow your focus.
- Step 3: Match Skills and Requirements
During this step you will narrow your choices to those that look like the best fit. Continue to evaluate these occupations as you compare and contrast such factors as skills and abilities needed and the necessary training/education to pursue them. Also, choose a short and long term option then evaluate the realities of both.
Develop the steps you will take to reach your goal. Investigate sources of additional education and/or training. Do you need a four year degree or can you begin your chosen career with an associate’s degree thus allowing you to gain valuable work experience and income? You may need assistance in preparing a professional resume or composing an effective cover letter.
Here's the complete schedule for Career Expo 2007:
The week of events:
- Let the Exploration Begin! -- Monday, April 2
All Campuses
Careers Unlimited! events start with kick-off activities from 9:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at the Central Park (2200 W. University Dr. in McKinney), Preston Ridge (9700 Wade Blvd. in Frisco) and Spring Creek (2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano) campuses.
- Unlimited Career Options - Tuesday April 3
Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano
Kathryn Kelly, president of ExcellerateHRO, will speak from 3:30-4:30 p.m. From 2:15-3:15, the branches of the U.S. armed services will be on hand to answer questions and provide literature regarding careers in service.
Finally, area employers and career representatives will be on hand from 4-7p.m. to showcase fields of employment and career areas.
- Unveiling Your Professional Image - Wednesday, April 4
Preston Ridge Campus, 9700 Wade Blvd. in Frisco, Founder’s Hall Room 148
From 9-10 a.m., Sherree Koehler, executive senior sales director, Mary Kay Corporation, will present “Coffee & Creative Thinking About Professional Image.”
- Uncovering Technology: Cutting Edge Careers -- Thursday, April 5
Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano
The day’s activities begin at 8:50 a.m. with Candy Slocum, executive director of InterLink, who will present “He/She Wants to Do What!? Ungendering Careers” which addresses ways to move into careers typical of a particular gender. From 10:15-11:15, Slocum will discuss occupations within new emerging technologies. The focus on technology jobs continues from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. with a technology employer panel including representatives from convergence technology, gaming and animation, commercial music and interior design. At 12:50 p.m., a roundtable discussion with students, college faculty and business representatives will be held.
Speaker background
Kathryn Kelly, as president of ExcellerateHRO, an EDS/Towers Perrin outsourcing company, is responsible for global sales, strategy and offerings, and marketing and communications. She joined the company from Towers Perrin, where she developed and launched several new businesses over her 18-year career as a principal of the firm. She holds dual master’s degrees in community medicine and in biostatistics from the University of Washington. She completed her doctoral studies in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.
Sherree E. Koehler has been an independent business owner and entrepreneur for 26 years specializing in image and leadership education. She has been recognized as a leading director for the Mary Kay Corporation, a top-performing sales organization. Koehler acquired her bachelor and master of science degrees from the University of Nebraska. In addition to formal education she says she learned a lot about life and business through being a career Marine officer’s wife and being a manager for a national clothing store.
Candy Slocum is executive director of North Central Texas InterLink, Inc., a regional non-profit business/education alliance that was named a Model Program by the State of Texas for impacting education programs in North Central Texas public schools. She is a labor market strategist and futurist, forecasting the occupations and industries that will be in demand in the future and the trends that will change the workforce. The Career and Technology Directors Association of Texas recognized Slocum as its Outstanding State Community Volunteer in 1999.
For more information and assistance with the career planning process contact Career Services & Co-op, 972.881.5781 or visit the Career Center at the Spring Creek, Preston Ridge or Central Park campuses.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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