Job Seekers Take Next Steps with Tulsa Tech
By KARA GAE NEAL
Superintendent
SPEED NETWORKING: Tulsa area job seekers participate in a speed networking activity during the Next Steps Job Search event.
Courtesy Tulsa Tech
Tulsa-area job seekers get a boost through the combined efforts of Tulsa Tech, Tulsa Metro Chamber, Goodwill Industries, Tulsa Community College, Workforce Oklahoma and Workforce Tulsa. On Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Tulsa Tech’s Career Services Center on the Lemley Campus at 34th Street and Memorial Drive, area professionals will attend the second Next Steps: Elevate Your Job Search. Next Steps is half-day workshop designed to help boost applicants’ efforts to find employment; the morning includes breakout sessions, resume assistance, and speed networking with prospective employers.
The first Next Steps event, held April 27, helped more than 100 job-seekers, providing workshops and consulting sessions. Deb McCaskey, coordinator of Employment Services for Tulsa Tech, says this type of opportunity is invaluable. “Next Steps was far beyond a job fair; it was a skills-building event,” recalls McCaskey. “With nearly 20 hiring managers offering detailed information on what their companies look for in candidates, job-seekers got tips straight from company decision-makers, giving them a big step up in this highly-competitive job market. This is especially useful for candidates who haven’t had to look for a job in ten or 20 years.”
Workforce Tulsa, a partner agency in Next Steps, works with candidates to show them how the roadmap for a successful job search has changed course. “These events are designed to help job-seekers navigate through changes in the market, industries, employers and human resource departments,” explains Darcy Melendez, executive director at Workforce Tulsa. “The community partnership to create this event is unprecedented, and we hope all job seekers will join the workforce experts committed to helping them find a job, a career start or a change in their work-life.”
The Tulsa Metro Chamber finds collaboration is key. “As an organization with a top priority of helping businesses grow, we feel a responsibility to not only supply businesses with a pipeline of talented, skilled and qualified workers, but also to help those displaced or underemployed workers find quality positions,” says Mike Neal, president and of the Tulsa Metro Chamber. “This joint effort with our regional partners is exactly the type of venture needed, and we are all eager to be a part of it.”
This type of access to employers and professionals who want to help her put her best foot forward brought Siscelia Griffin to Next Steps. Griffin, 26, moved to Tulsa seven months ago from Little Rock to be near family; she came to Next Steps armed with a background in dental assisting and sign language, looking for networking opportunities and assistance with her resume. “I enjoy busy environments,” said Griffin, who is also a Tulsa Tech student. “I have lots of volunteer experience, including the Mission of Mercy, where we provided free dental care to thousands of needy people. I’m hoping Next Steps will help me find work with a local dental practice.”
If you’re currently looking for exciting career training offered free to qualified high school students, and very cost-effectively to adults, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call (918) 828-5200 or visit us online at www.tulsatech.edu.
Updated 07-09-2010
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