Unemployed and Looking for Answers

Kathleen High, M.Ed.Independent Education/Career Consultant

Dream Chasers & Goal Setters

Why Are You Here today?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

MY LIFE EXPERIENCE: Laid off of nine-year position

◦ went to school to finish my degree From: Secretary – business world

(1997) To: Counselor/professor – Higher

Education (the process: 13 + years) Wanted to make a career change No one could answer my questions

Why This Workshop?

TODAY’S ECONOMIC CONDITIONS: Too many are unemployed and lost They often don’t know what to do Their learning is often distracted “by life” Difficult to stay focused on learning new

skills when worried about meeting needs Access to education is now limited due to

the budget crisis Colleges/Universities and Unemployment

Offices are swamped

Why This Workshop? (Cont’d)

• On what kind of Resources are available• On identifying what kind of Support is

availableInformation:

• Where to get help and referrals for:• Work, education and meeting personal

needsResources:

• Identify what kind of support they need• Where to get itSupport:

What The Unemployed Need:

Information:

• How to set appropriate educational goals• How to achieve desired educational goalsEducation

• How to identify jobs that will help you achieve your goals (now and in the future)Work

• How to provide for various needs without a regular paycheckNeeds

What You Will Get Today: INFORMATION

To help you figure out what to do next Change your expectations and

perspective:◦ Today’s Reality◦ Setting Goals◦ Meeting Your Needs

Education and Career Research Skills:

◦ Identifying Your Transferrable Skills Are You a Team Player, Problem-Solver, Leader, Great Communicator?

◦Planning for an Unpredictable Future How to Respond to a World of Constant Change

◦Career Assessments

◦Educational Choices You Won't Regret Later  What You Need to Know  and Do To Ensure You are Making  Wise

Decisions about Your Education

INFORMATION - Education:(Workshops Recommended)

Job Search Skills

◦ Job Search Tips for Unique Populations:(Unemployed, Over 40, Over Qualified, Not So Hot Past, Disabled, etc.)

◦Maintaining a Positive Online Presence (Social Networking, Photos & Videos, Email, Websites, Blogging and "Personal Branding")

◦Unemployed and Looking for Answers

◦Resumes

◦ Interviewing

INFORMATION - Work:(Workshops Recommended)

Developing Coping and Life Skills for Success

◦ Generational Differences Four Generations -- Worlds Apart on Perspective, Values, Priorities, and

Lifestyle

◦ Help - Asking, Giving, and Receiving Solving Problems Without Ruining Relationships

◦ Managing Conflicting Priorities School, Work, Personal Life? (Making Decisions About What is Important and

What is Not)

◦ Managing Financial Responsibilities:  Meeting Your Needs By Not "Putting All Your Eggs into One Basket“

◦ Managing Life's Transitions Personal, Relationships, Societal, Education, Work, and Military

INFORMATION - Needs:(Workshops Recommended)

INFORMATION:(Handouts Recommended)

TODAY’S REALITY:◦Rapidly-Changing World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U The world is changing – how should you respond?

◦Generational Values Your generation affects your worldview

◦Discerning Seasons Life is like the weather: Seasons change End of a season: Not the end of the world

◦Paradigm Shifts When “reality” is shattered

INFORMATION:(Handouts Recommended-cont’d)

SETTING GOALS:◦Dream Chaser’s & Goal Setter’s Journey

A visual of what affects your success

◦Reaching Career Goals Career Changes: A two-step process Types of jobs: Survival, Entry-Level, Transition, Dream

Job Importance of Missions/Values Fit

◦Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Managing multiple needs

◦Priorities Identifying what is important and what is not

INFORMATION:(Handouts Recommended-cont’d)

MEETING YOUR NEEDS: Managing Financial Responsibilities

◦ Lessons learned the hard way: Change Your Perspective Establishing a Source of Income Lowering Your Financial Obligations Strategies and Tips for Reducing Expenses Solutions for Emergency Situations

Unemployed Resources◦ Meeting needs through alternative resources:

Federal and state government, non-profit, and others

• Guidance• Academic SuccessEducation

• Career Decision Making• Job Search Skills (Resumes, Interviewing,

etc.)Work

• Food , Shelter, clothing, etc.• Medical, transportation, child/elder/pet care,

emotional support, etc.Needs

Resources:

RESOURCES:On Most College Campuses

CAREER CENTER◦ One-On-One Career Counseling◦ Career Assessments (Personality, Interests, Values, Skills, etc.)◦ Workshops (Resumes, Interviewing, Studying, Success, etc.)◦ Handouts (Labor Market Trends, Goal Setting, Choosing Majors, etc.)◦ Career Research Resources (Online programs, books, etc.)◦ Computer Lab

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:◦ One-On-One Counseling◦ Counseling Classes (for academic/career success)

Disabled Student Services◦ Vocational Counseling, Accommodations, Resources, Support

TRANSFER CENTER:◦ Help/Information for Transfer Planning (future school research)

SEE “UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” FOR MORE

RESOURCES:Non-College Campus Resources

IF YOUR PRIORITY IS TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT ASAP:

◦ Local “One-Stop” Center - (Unemployment Office)◦ Hire a “career coach” – Professional skilled in the job search

process◦ Their objective is to get you back to work ASAP

SEE “MANAGING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES”◦ For non-traditional solutions for meeting your needs

SEE “UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” HANDOUT◦ For Resources:

State Government Federal Government Community/Non-Profit/For-Profit organizations

• Academic and Career Counselors• Academic Success Classes• Career Center Resources• Disabled Student Services

Education

• Local One Stop Centers (EDD)• Job Search Coaches• Academic Counselors• Career Center Resources• Job Placement Office (offered by most colleges)

Work

• Family, friends, networks, counselors, financial aid, support groups, teachers, social service agencies, non-profits, faith communitiesNeeds

Support:

SUPPORT:On Most College Campuses

CAREER COUNSELING◦Career Center

ACADEMIC COUNSELING◦ Counseling Department (or Academic Department)

PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING◦ Student Health Center

DISABILITIES (Physical, Learning, Etc.) COUNSELING Disabled Students Programs & Services

FOR VALIDATION OF YOUR JOURNEY◦ Workshops and Handouts Mentioned Earlier

Often validate what individuals are experiencing Often leads to healing of some unresolved issues

“UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” LISTS MORE

SUPPORT:Off Campus

SEE:◦ “Managing Financial Responsibilities”◦ “Unemployed Resources”

YOUR OWN PERSONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM ◦ (See “Dream Chaser’s Journey”)

You have three options:◦Dream Chasers & Goal Setters: Individual

consulting http://www.dreams-goals.com/index.html

◦Mt. SAC: Enroll in my STDY 80 class http://faculty.mtsac.edu/khigh/

◦ Cypress: Counseling classes offered on campus Outreach activities offered off-campus http://www.cypresscollege.edu/ad/adjunct.aspx?ID=khigh

SUPPORT:Wish to follow up with me?

What are your needs? Where are your priorities? Which resources presented today can

help? What should you do next?

◦ REFLECT: What is your “inner voice” saying

to you right now?

Wrap Up – Answer the Following

Let us know what additional information you need

What workshops do you want? Please fill out the survey

Wrap Up – Help Us to Help You