Lessons Learned at the End of a Fishing Pole

When I was growing up, my parents would take us to where our boat was docked on Lake Michigan.  It wasn't a big boat, but we would enjoy an occasional trip out on the lake.  We would arrive in Michigan City on a Friday and would clean the boat and get everything ready so that we could take it out on Saturday.   I used to feel that those Friday 'clean' days were the reasons my parents had children.  Somebody had to scrub the deck!

Once we finished our chores, though, we would take up our fishing poles and head over to the bait shop where we would buy whatever was the 'hot pick' of the day for those fishing off of the docks.  Usually, it was crawdads and, as the oldest, I would be the lucky one who would 'prepare' them for the hooks.  We would sit there with our fishing poles for hours next to everyone else.  Problem was, the other people were bringing up the yellow perch and we were feeding the yellow perch.  I'd watch that bobbin but to no avail as I never, in all those years on the dock, brought up a single perch.  My bucket remained, regretfully, empty.  Those were some of the most frustrating days as I really looked forward to my goal of bringing home dinner.

Looking back, I remember how I felt that my parents would not take any time to show me the right way to fish.  I honestly thought there was nothing to it...appears I was very wrong.  Going 'fishing' for me was a futile effort.  I thought I had all of the right tools, bait, attitude...everything to be successful.  However, I was obviously a bit off-track!

So too, like many college students, we arrive on campus with what we believe are all of the right tools to help us successfully get through our programs.  Yet, without someone to guide us, we can come run into problems.  Fortunately, there are people available to help us reach our goals.  Like the Main Campus and the various LCC Learning Centers, the Center for Workforce Transition has Academic Advisors on staff to meet with adults looking to return to school.  They are very helpful in assisting individuals with understanding what is needed for goal accomplishment.  One of the tools we provide our adults is their Education Development Plan.  The Plan is designed to teach our students to 'fish' successfully...to have something in their educational toolbox at the end of the day. 

If you would like assistance with your Educational Development Plan for Lansing Community College please contact our staff at (517) 492-5580.  They'll be glad to help you 'bait your hook' so that you have a successful plan with specific and attainable goals.  I may not have been good at fishing off the dock for yellow perch, but, with my CWT staff, we're pretty good at helping other people identify the right tools so that they can meet their goals.

Job Blast:

• ITEC (Information Technology Empowerment Center) (Lansing):  Educational Program Coordinator, MTB #2965179
• Snyder's Landscape (Dimondale): 
• Plow Truck Driver, MTB #2965292
• Mowing Foreman, MTB #2965291
• CATA (Lansing):  Maintenance Supervisor, MTB #2965109

Job Search Tip of the Day:
Because you can never have too much practice for an interview, on Monday, November 8, 2010, Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center will host a "Practice Your Interviewing Skills" opportunity from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  As well, the professionals on hand will also provide resume critiques.  No appointment is necessary.  However, you will want to be sure to dress appropriately and bring copies of your resume.

Educational Tip of the Day:
If you have not met with an advisor to complete your educational plan, schedule one now.  It only takes a few minutes, but will help you significantly in the long run!