What Do "Jaws" and College Grads Have in Common?

I remember sitting in a dark theatre in 1975 with my feet tucked underneath me in the seat while I watched a really, super-scary movie about a menacing shark...Jaws!  I remember, also, that it was the same day that my brother was taking his scuba certification test...in Lake Michigan.  It didn't matter that, one, there were no sharks in Lake Michigan that day, and, two, there were no sharks in the theatre, either.  I was still scared.

Worse yet, was the book.  When available, I have always preferred to read the book before seeing the movie.  Generally speaking, the books are better (according to my professional opinion).  Anyway, one day about a year before the movie came out I was strolling through a bookstore looking for a good 'read'.  It was summer and I worked at a job that, periodically, had long moments of total boredom; so, a nice, relaxing book was on my list of things to help me pass the time.

As I walked through the bookstore, I was drawn to the cover of a book that showed a woman swimming with (what I really, honestly thought was...) her pet shark.  I kid you not.  Talk about a really blond moment!  As it turns out, I was (and still am) fascinated with animal behavior.  I thought the book was about a woman who managed to behaviorally change a shark!  Heck, in high school I did a biology experiment on my pet white mice, Ben and Willard, in which I switched their biological time clock around (they were nocturnal creatures and I was going to have none of that when I was trying to sleep!).  So, in all reality, it could have been true.  Right?

Anyway, imagine my surprise as I read the first chapter!  Ouch!  The book had me mesmerized.  And, since the weather was terrible that day, I was able to read the book from 'cover to cover' by the end of my shift!  Wow!  I was, literally, hooked on that shark.

So, now you're probably wondering so what does Jaws have to do with college grads.  I'm glad you asked.  The Beloit College Mindset List.  Since August of 1988, Beloit College has published it's Beloit College Mindset List which provides a look into the "cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college."  (Beloit College Mindset, 2009)   A few years ago, I was at a meeting where the speaker shared some of the ' Class of 2002 List' with us.  One of the items (number 32 on the List) was a reflection of the mindset of that year's List.  It hit home with me because I could totally relate!  The statement reflected that the class of 2002 "never took a swim and thought about Jaws."  WHAT!  That was like the scariest movie I knew of...for the time, which, after using some mental math skills, was 27 years earlier.  I realized that a generation had passed since Spielberg's metal 'fish' kept some of us out of the water.  As well, "Bruce" did not look near as scary when I 'visited' him at the Universal Studios last summer. 

Anyway, each year Beloit College publishes a list for the students entering as Freshmen (so the Fall of 2010 Freshmen class would be the Beloit College Mindset List of 2014).  For this Blog, I thought I would look at the Freshmen class of 2007 (which would be the Mindset List of 2011).  Student's entering College in 2007 were generally born in 1989.   Here's some of what I found (the list contains 70 items!): 

• What Berlin wall?
• Humvees, minus the artillery, have always been available to the public.
• They never "rolled down" a car window.
• They have grown up with bottled water
• General Motors has always been working on an electric car.
• Nelson Mandela has always been free and a force in South America
• Pete Rose has never played baseball.
• Al Gore has always been running for president or thinking about it.
• They never found a prize in a Coca-Cola "MagiCan."
• U2 has always been more than a spy plane.
• They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcolm X from Spike Lee.
• High definition television has always been available.
• Tienanmen Square is a 2008 Olympics venue, not the scene of a massacre.
• MTV has never featured music videos.
• They never saw Johnny Carson live on television.
• The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born.

And, to further remind us of how quickly things change, the class that entered college this past fall (the Mindset List class of 2014) has an even more interesting list.  For example, "The class of 2014 has never found Korean-made cars unusual on the Interstate and 500 hundred cable channels, of which they will watch a handful, have always been the norm.  Since "digital" has always been in the cultural DNA, they've never written in cursive and with cell phones to tell them the time, there is no need for a wrist watch.  Dirty Harry (who's that?) is to them a great Hollywood director.  The America they have inherited is one of soaring American trade and budget deficits; Russia has presumably never aimed nukes at the united States and China has always posed an economic threat."  (Beloit College Mindset List, 2010)  Here are some additional points to ponder:

• John McEnroe has never played professional tennis.
• Doctor Kevorkian has never been licensed to practice medicine.
• Fergie is a pop singer, not a princess.
• They never twisted the coiled handset wire aimlessly around their wrists while chatting on the phone.
• DNA fingerprinting and maps of the human genome have always existed.
• Unless they found one in their grandparents' closet, they have never seen a carousel of Kodachrome slides.
• They've never recognized that pointing to their wrists was a request for the time of day.
• Czechoslovakia has never existed.
• Bud Selig has always been the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.
• Nirvana is on the classic oldies station.

So there you have it.  Thus, in thinking about what the mindset of the next generation of workers in our workplace will be bringing with them, it reminds me of how working in a multi-generational environment can be filled with many opportunities for all of us to learn.  As well, for those of us who have had more 'experience', just think of the trivia we could add to the conversation...or, maybe not.

Beloit College Mindset List, http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/, Retrieved 05/05/2011

JOB BLASTS!  The Michigan Talent Bank is being updated, daily!  Be sure to check it out (as well as other job search sites, such as http://www.indeed.com/ ) as well as earlier Job Blasts.

Mint City Carpet Cleaner (Lansing):  General Office Cleaner,  MTB # 3064435   
        
Shabazz Public School Academy (Lansing):  Substitute Teacher,  MTB # 3064190

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Lansing):  Server,  MTB # 3064229

NUWAVE Technology Partners (Lansing):  Systems Engineer,  MTB # 3052890

Capital Area Community Services - Head Start (Lansing): Weatherization Application Specialist,  MTB # 3065446

Job Search Tips for the Experienced (50+) Worker!

One of the areas that I have received many inquiries during the past few months involves the 50+ job seeker.  This group of experienced workers has had some challenges in approaching today's job market with all of its nuances...particularly those who have been employed for many years and are now looking for a new opportunity following a layoff or early retirement.

In today's job search market, one of the challenges for the older worker coming out of a long held position has been using online resources.  Many people tell me that they used to be able to walk into a business, meet the hiring person, and interview for the position with far greater success than they are seeing in today's hiring environment.  So, this, and other (future) articles, will be posted with some links to resources focused on assisting today's more experienced job seeker. 

One of the many resources available to the 50+ Job Seeker is AARP!  Their website provides some great tools, including articles such as 6 Tips to Job Hunting Online by Christina Ianzito.  She shares some great ideas on topics such as revising your resume, joining a social networking site, and researching the latest developments in your field.  (http://www.aarp.org/, January 24, 2011)   As well, Deborah Russell offers insights on A Winning Job Interview which includes a link to videos focused on Job Tips for 50+ Workers.  (http://www.aarp.org/, March 10, 2011)

An additional resource for the 50+ Job Seeker is the Lansing Community College Jobs Connection Workshop at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center.  Onece per month, a Jobs Connection Workshop will be specifically tailored to meet more specific concerns of the experienced worker.  While it is not limited to the 50+ age group, it will provide more specific information to assist those looking to explore additional career opportunities.  For May, the next Jobs Connection Workshop with this special focus will be on Tuesday, May 31st from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m..  There is no charge for the workshop, and information and resources will be provided.

Russell, Deborah,  A Winning Job Interview:  Come prepared with questions and be ready to show off what you know, http://www.aarp.org/, Retrieved May 2, 2011.

Ianzito, Christina,  6 Tips to Job Hunting Online,  http://www.aarp.org/, Retrieved May 2, 2011


JOB BLASTS!:

Lansing Community College (Lansing):  To apply for any position at Lansing Community College, including Adjunct Faculty, visit our Jobs website at:  http://www.jobs.lcc.edu/

• Admissions, Registration & Records Processing PT Support
• Part-time Financial Aid Generalist
• Head Volleyball Coach

Franklin Energy (Okemos):  Energy Engineer II,  MTB # 3062735

Cravings Gourmet Popcorn (Lansing):  Customer Service/Prod. Team Mbr. MTB #3063139

CATA (Lansing):  Director of Marketing,  MTB  # 3063396

Express Employment (Howell):  CNC Horizontal Mill Program Set up Operator,  MTB #3063619

Symmetry Medical Jet (Lansing):  Machinist,  MTB # 3063205

Ajay Badhwar & Assoc. (Lansing): Accounting Assoc.,  MTB # 3059745

Ingham County (multiple positions available):  To view these positions, go to the Michigan Talent Bank website and enter the Job Posting (MTB) number in the Advanced Search window.

• Boat Launch Attendant (# 3038407)
• Boat Rental Operator (# 3038406)
• Dentist (# 3013696)
• Disease Control Nurse (F/T):  (# 3064031)
• Disease Control Nurse (P/T):  (# 3013699)
• Fair Manager (# 3052883)
• Family Nurse (# 2959163)
• Health Center Nurse (# 3013700)
• Lifeguard (F/T):  (# 3038420)
• Lifeguard (P/T):  (# 3038417)
• Medical Director/Physician (# 2959167)
• Nurse Practitioner/Physician (# 3048262)
• Park Ranger (# 3038404)
• Park Security Officer (# 3038424)
• Snack Bar Attendant (# 3038408)
• Universal Deputy Roster ICSO (# 3048248)
• Van Driver/Rental Operator (# 3038410)
• Public Health Nurse (# 3013701)

Labor Market Update and Job Blasts!

Each month, the Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives releases their monthly Area Labor Market Analysis.  One of the reports is specific for the Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Mid-Michigan regions.  The report for March 2011 was recently released and offered some promising news for the Lansing MSA (Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties).  It showed that in our MSA, the jobless rates continue to show improvement (8.6% in March 2011 vs. 11.1% in March 2010!) over the year as total employment and payroll jobs showed increases over March 2010.  (DELEG, April 2011)

The report further shows that "payroll jobs pushed upward by 1,000 (0.5 percent) over the month in the Lansing MSA as many private service-providing industries started to pick up seasonal hiring."  Some of the areas registering job gains included, leisure and hospitality (400) with private educational and healthcare services chipping in an additional 200.  While government jobs fell by 300 (primarily support positions in state government education), a 300 job increase in retail trade offset the loss.  Reffitt also indicated that "since March of 2010, the Lansing metro area's payroll total increased by 2.5 percent (+5,300 jobs)."  (DELEG, April 2011)

So, what does this mean?  Well, first, it indicates that Lansing is moving forward in job growth following the recession.  It is important to note that while employment is not at the pre-recession level, the Lansing MSA is making strides. 

Further, as I have indicated in earlier blogs, employers are hiring.  They are looking for individuals with the skills needed to 'hit the floor running', so to speak.  This points to the need to be sure to review your skill sets and evaluate where the strengths and weaknesses may be found.  In doing so, evaluate what 'next steps' may be necessary to update areas that are weak. 
Registration is now open for Lansing Community College's Summer 2011 semester (begins June 4th).  Are you looking for updating computer skills?  If so, check out some of our CABS seminars (Computer Applications Using business Software), or some of the Computer IT Application classes.   For more information on what classes are available this summer at Lansing Community College, check out our Summer schedule!


Reffitt, Mark, Michigan Department of Energy, Area Labor Market Analysis--Ann Arbor, Lansing, Mid-Michigan, Labor & Economic Growth:  Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, www.michigan.gov/lmi, Retrieved April 21, 2011.

JOB BLASTS!  
The Michigan Talent Bank is one of the sources available for locating current employment postings.  To view MTB postings below, click on the posting number to be taken directly to the MTB Job Posting. 

Tallis & Associates (Lansing):  Accounting Assistant/Receptionist,  MTB # 3049371

Michigan Assn. of United Ways (Lansing):  MBAI Manager,  MTB # 3059000

RSDC (Holt):  Maintenance Associate,  MTB # 3057967

Days Inn (Lansing):  Front Desk Position,  MTB # 3057891

Franchino Mold & Engineering (Lansing):  CNC Operator,  MTB # 3048754

Flagstar Bank (Okemos):  Financial Service Representative,  MTB # 3049636


REMEMBER: When applying for a position, it is very important to follow the instructions on the posting in regards to how to apply. 

Appreciating Home: Happy Earth Day!

Since 1970, April 22nd has marked the anniversary of what is considered our first, modern-day event addressing our environment.  Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, was inspired by national events to create an opportunity to instill a public consciousness towards awareness about air and water pollution.  He recruited other key leaders and the 'movement' went live as 20 million Americans demonstrated for a healthy and sustainable environment during massive coast-to-coast rallies.  This event was so far reaching over the political environment, that the United States Environmental Protection Agency was born with the subsequent passages of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.  For more information on the history of Earth Day, be sure to click on this link.  (Earthday.org, retrieved 04/18/2011).

This past weekend I was reading an interesting article that I found in one of my newsletters.  It contained some interesting information about our 'home'...Earth, that I thought I would share with you.  Here are just a few of the 50 items found in the article, Earth Facts, Tips and Advice:  Do your part in protecting it (AARP Bulletin, April 1, 2011):

• In the last 50 years:
• Since 1960, world automobile production has increased by 370%.
• The average price of a gallon of gas grew from 25 cents to $3.51.
• The average cost of a new car rose from $2,600 to $27,958.
• World oil consumption grew 401%, from 21.3 million to 85.8 million barrels a day. U.S. consumption rose (up 198%), so did China’s (up 458%), Japan’s (724%), India’s (1,850%) and Germany’s (409%).
• Modern Footprints:
• The last decade had the highest average temperatures on record.
• Global temperatures may rise as much as 10.4 degrees by 2100.
• More than 70 million barrels of crude oil are produced a day.
• The 806 million cars and light trucks in the world burn 260 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel a year.
•  Extreme weather may force relocation of 150 million to 200 million people by 2050.
•  Every square mile of ocean contains 46,000 pieces of plastic trash.
• Renewable energy provides 8% of total U.S. energy. Other sources: petroleum (37%), natural gas (25%), coal (21%), nuclear (9%).
• Sources of greenhouse gases: electric power (35%), transportation (27%), industry (20%), agriculture (7%), commercial (6%), residential (5%).
• Easy Ways to Tread Lightly:
• Set your water heater at 120 degrees. Many are set to 140 degrees, which is both wasteful and hazardous.
• Reduce your time in the shower by 5 minutes and save 25 gallons of water a day.
• Loading dirty dishes without rinsing saves up to 20 gallons of water per dishwasher load.
• Add native plants to your garden; they need less water and fertilizer.

 For more Earth Facts, visit the site by clicking on the title, above or check out  Energysavers.gov for a list of some simple things each of us can do.


JOB BLASTS! For more information on Michigan Talent Bank postings, click on the job posting number.  Or, for other Job Blasts, follow the employer's instructions.

Clearview Apartments (Lansing and St. Johns):  Maintenance Person,  MTB # 3047113

TIC International (Lansing):  Medical Claims Examiner,  MTB # 3056133

McDonald Broadcasting (Lansing):  Market Manager,  MTB # 3055922

Lansing School District (Lansing):  Speech & Language Pathologists,  MTB # 3055907

Smart Homes, Inc. (Okemos): 

• Home Automation and Theater Installation (f/t),   MTB # 3049064
• Information Technology System Support and Deployment,   MTB # 3049062

Estate Planning & Preservation (Jackson, Flint, Novi, Grand Rapids, or Harrison): 

• Insurance Advisors who already HAVE A LIFE INSURANCE LICENSE, 
• MTB # 3043132  

Lansing Community College UPDATES:

Summer 2011 Semester registration begins this week!  The "Assigned Web Registration" is as follows:

Number of credits earned     Register any time after:        Date:
as of Fall 2010:

  60 or more                           9:00 a.m.                           Tuesday, 4/19
  30 or more                           9:00 p.m.                           Tuesday, 4/19
  12 or more                           9:00 a.m.                         Wednesday, 4/20
   1 or more                            9:00 a.m.                         Thursday, 4/21
   All                                       9:00 a.m.                            Friday, 4/22

Remember:  All NEW students, Transfer students, and Returning Adult Students (who have been away from the College for five or more years) are required to attend a Mandatory Orientation.  For more information on this or other LCC questions, please contact LCC's "Center for Workforce Transition" at lccadvisor@lcc.edu, or (517) 492-5580.

Have a good Earth Day and consider trying one new thing that is sustainable and will benefit everyone, including our 'home'.

Job Blasts Updates!

JOB BLASTS!

G C Services (Lansing):  Account Representatives (47 needed),  MTB # 3038597

• MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  A recruiter from G C Services will be onsite at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer (St. Johns):  Marketing Assistant,  MTB # 3049017


Did You Know...  Staffing agencies are used by many employers to assist in finding the right people for available positions.  For more information on 'General Labor' positions (as well as other available positions) within the Lansing area, visit Indeed.com.

Jobs Connection Workshop:  For more information on how to 1.) target your Job Search, such as who are the employers, what skills are needed, and, how to communicate valuable skills and knowledge; or, 2.) to learn more about career options, the popular Jobs Connection Workshop is offered most Tuesdays from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center.  For a schedule of the Center for Workforce Transition activities, check out our website with the link to our monthly calendar.

Job Blasts!

JOB BLASTS!
This past Friday, 65 employers participated in the Job Zone portion of the Greater Lansing Journey to Jobs event.  The available positions were varied and provided Job Seekers of all educational levels with several opportunities.  I asked one of our CAMW! agency partners how many of their clients attended the event.  They had spoken to two of their clients with one person having two interviews scheduled for today and tomorrow from their meetings with employers!  These events do provide results to those individuals who attend and are well-prepared to meet potential employers.

For those postings with a Michigan Talent Bank posting number (MTB #), click on the posting number to be taken directly to the Position Description with application information.

Goodwill Industries (Lansing):  Assistant Store Manager,  MTB # 3052943

Franchino Mold & Engineering (Lansing area): 

• CNC Boring Mill Operator,  MTB # 3053740
• Manual Boring Mill Operator,  MTB # 3053743  FILLED

Michigan Athletic Club (East Lansing):     FILLED

• Looking for temporary help to remove domes covering pool and tennis courts
• May 11, 12, 13th (dates needed)
• $9.00/hour with lunch provided

Nuwave Technology (Lansing):  Systems Engineer,  MTB # 3052890

Lansing Community College (Lansing):  For more information on available positions at Lansing Community College, visit our Jobs Website at:  http://www.jobs.lcc.edu/

LCC Events Just Around the Corner...

While spring is trying to break through winter's tough grasp (read that as SNOW on April 3rd...of course!), Lansing Community College is readying it's Spring 2011 semester wrap-up and gearing up for the Summer 2011 semester.  Here are some important deadlines/dates that will help prepare for a smooth transition.

Summer 2011:

• Orientation (mandatory for new LCC students) begins. 
• Online Orientation (requires a Reading Level of 5) begins April 1st.
• Face-to-Face Orientation sign-up begins April 5th
• Schedule Books will be available online beginning April 5th! 
• Registration will begin April 19th!
• Financial Aid (FAFSA submission) deadline is May 1st!
• Womens Resource Center/Returning Adult Program Grants submission deadline is May 1st!
• Admission deadline is May 25th!
• Orientation deadline is May 31st!
• Registration deadline is June 1st!
• Classes will begin June 4th!
• Deadline to submit an Associates degree/Certificate Application is July 1st!
• The College will be closed July 2, 3, 4th for the Independence Day holiday.
• Semester's last day of class:  August 1st!

New Student Orientation:  Lansing Community College now requires Orientation for students working on Certificates of Achievement, Degrees, or Transfer programs.  As well, returning students who have been away from the College for five or more years. 

For more information on Orientation, please visit this link.

To stay on top of the deadlines, or for more information on any of the above dates, be sure to visit the LCC website.

JOB BLASTS!: 
To view these and other postings visit the Michigan Talent Bank website.  As well, the following Job Blasts postings can be accessed by clicking on the MTB number.

Agape Total Healthcare (Lansing): 

• Certified Nursing Aide (URGENT, IMMEDIATE NEED),  MTB # 3050825
• Home Health Aide (URGENT, IMMEDIATE NEED),   MTB # 3047598
• NOTE:  CNA and Home Health Aide applicants need to complete an application at CAMW! in Lansing, St. Johns, or Charlotte.  Job Seekers for the following Agape Total Healtcare positions should submit a cover letter and resume to CAMW! in Lansing, St. Johns, or Charlotte and should NOT complete an application!
• Community Outreach Specialist,  MTB # 3051178
• Marketing Coordinator,  MTB # 3051509
• Office Administrator,  MTB # 3051075