Bicycle Zen and the Art of Trying

When I was growing up, I remember wanting so much to learn how to ride a bicycle!  My mother had other plans.  Her reason for not allowing me near any type of movable equipment was that we lived in the country and she did not want us on the country roads riding bikes (although she had no problem with me walking on those same country roads when I missed the school bus and had to hoof it to school three miles away!)  Anyway, my mother was away one day and our 13 year old babysitter rode her bike over to our house.  I was eight at the time and begged her to teach me to ride (my mother had already told her she was not to let me near her bike).  My power of persuasion won out and she did! 

Since we lived in the country my riding was limited to the field next to my house.  There were ruts everywhere, but I managed to keep that bike upright.   I rode around that field over and over, again.  But, as every kid knows, mothers have eyes in the back of their heads.  My mom picked that particular day to come home early.  I was caught.  The babysitter was mad.  I was mad.  Nobody was happy.  To make a long story short, that was the end of my bicycle days for many years. 

A few years later we moved into town.  Actually, we moved almost into town.  Our house was located across from the county fairgrounds.  There were no sidewalks on our side of the street, BUT...there were on the fairgrounds side!  I immediately started hatching my plan to convince my mother that it was time for me to have a bike!  She finally gave in although she broke the news to me that I would have to buy it with my own money.  I was doomed to never ride.  When I was 12 I found a part-time summer job that allowed me to earn 25 cents an hour (that was minimum wage like at the turn of the century...the 19th century!).  I worked and saved and, like most young women, spent what I saved!  It took two more summers but I finally had enough to buy the most wonderful bike in the whole wide world!  It was a beautiful royal blue 10-speed!  Never mind that I hadn't even ridden a one-speed in nearly five years, I had my bike.

So, the time had come.  I was a cool teen and had the coolest bike around.  I was ready.  Almost. 

As with most new and beautiful things, we wanted to make sure that nothing happened to my 'wheels'.  I didn't want to see a single scratch, ding, or dent.   I was going to ensure that not even a fingerprint was visible when I took off for my first 'ride'.  So, I carefully walked my bike across the street as I had promised my mother that I would be sure to ride on the sidewalk and then enter and ride inside the fairgrounds.  Once I crossed the street I got up on that blue beauty and started peddling.  It was good.  I was going forward!  Never mind that I had no clue as to how to change gears.  I was in motion. 

I maneuvered that sidewalk for the two block ride to the entrance of the fairgrounds.  That was the point where everything that is possibly cool about being a teenager with a great bike, ended.  You see, the entrance to the fairgrounds was at the intersection of two fairly busy streets.  It is important to note at this time that our town was not that big and just about everybody knew our family.  So, when I arrived at the entrance of the fairgrounds there were cars stopping at the four-way just a few feet from where I was with my new bike.  The entrance to the fairgrounds consisted of two gates separated by a brick building used for special events.  The gates were closed to vehicle traffic; but, there was a pedestrian opening between one of the gates and the brick wall. 

You know, there are many sayings that we use throughout our lives.  I've often wondered where they come from and who 'created' them.  So, I can tell you without a doubt that I was probably the reason that the phrase, "ran into a brick wall" was created.

I proudly steered my beautiful, new, royal blue, 10-speed bicycle toward that pedestrian opening.  Problem was, I panicked...big time.  Not sure why, but it happened.  I not only missed the pedestrian opening, entirely; but, I managed to ride that beautiful new bicycle that I had worked and saved for so long to own, into the side of that building.  After I stood up and quickly looked around to see if there were any witnesses (yes...there were), I gazed downward to see the mangled mess I had created.  The rim for the front wheel was bent, the handle bars were askew, and the paint had been horribly scratched up by the blacktop (as were my legs).  But, nothing was more painful to me than the gut-wrenching humiliation I felt for doing such a dumb thing.  Seriously, a brick wall!

 I quietly walked it back home trying very hard to not be seen (which was impossible because there was nothing else to look at on that lonely sidewalk).  I was grateful that my mother picked this particular time to not use the all-too-familiar, "I told you so" phrase when I arrived home.  What she did next surprised me.  She helped me put my bike back together and the very next day I got back up on that bike and rode to the fairgrounds, again.  However, this time, I used the south entrance which had the open vehicle gates and no brick building.  Success.

It's important to know that at one time or another we all run into 'brick walls.'   I felt humiliated about the experience.  But, as it turned out, I was the only one.  I could have stopped right then and there and decided not to get back on that bike (which, by the way, was scratched, dinged, and dented) but by doing so I would be stuck walking.  I ended up riding that bike for years.  And, as it turned out, I fell on it a few more times (once while I was right in front of the high school parking lot before school started...that was embarrassing).  Falling has not been a problem for me; and, as it has turned out, due to lots of practice, getting up has become something I've gotten quite good at doing. 

Many times I meet with adults who have had a bad experience at school and are afraid that they will do it again.  Maybe yes, maybe no.  However, it is guaranteed that nothing will move forward unless we try.  If you have concerns about going back to school, know that there are many options available to help you transition back into the classroom.  Lansing Community College's Center for Workforce Transition staff are extremely helpful and experienced in working with adults looking to return to school.  Get back up on that bike and try again.  You might just surprise yourself.

Job Blasts!  To access any of these postings or to do your own job search, visit the Michigan Talent Bank.  If you click on the Posting number, you will be automatically directed to the job posting.  Be sure to check out yesterday's blog for some important information on the job search.

Inventure Enterprises (East Lansing):  Engineering Software Programmer,  MTB #2972946

Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers (St. Johns):  Research Agronomist, MTB #2976145

Great Clips (Lansing and Charlotte):  Manager/Stylist,  MTB #2975851

Lovejoy Special Needs Center (Lansing):  Direct Care Worker,  MTB #2975842

Hot Job Seeker Opportunities!

Once again, I'm just sending you the Job Blasts from the last two days.  We're busy with students trying to meet the December 1st Financial Aid deadline, so life should slow down, soon.  Maybe.

Job Blasts!

Twitchell's Dry Cleaning (East Lansing):  Presser,  MTB #2975400

Medical Management Systems (Lansing):  Data Entry Specialist,  MTB #2975050

Mason Pediatrics (Mason):  Medical Assistant,  MTB #2974971

Alator Home Health:  Registered Nurses,  MTB #2971194

Arctic Glacier, Inc. (Lansing):    Lead Person,  MTB #2974670


Mock Interview Opportunity!

Mock Interviews will be held at Capital Area Michigan Works! in Lansing on Monday, December 13th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  This is a great opportunity for Job Seekers to practice that ever-important job search activity...the interview!  Guest employers include representatives from the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau and Accountemps.  Be sure to bring copies of your resume and dress appropriately! 

What Employers Want YOU to Know!

The following information was sent out to CAMW! Staff on Monday, November 29th by the CAMW! Business Liaison professional.  She stated that:

The Manager for a local healthcare association stated, "I recently filled seven positions in the last month.  I interviewed over 60 candidates and received resumes from nearly 650 job seekers during the last few months, alone.  During both the resume review and job interview phases of our hiring process, I noticed some common deficiencies amongst the candidates.  Some of the most common I noticed were:

• Employment objectives inconsistent with the nature of the position the candidate is applying for;
• Resumes that did not reveal the skills behind the nature of the candidate's employment background when the positions did not directly correlate;
• The lack of ability to craft a compelling cover story
• General unprofessionalism in interviewing, whether it be arriving late, improper dress or vocabulary used;
• Inability to compellingly participate in behavioral interviewing;
• The lack of thank you letters (either hardcopy or via email) after interviewing;
• Poor selection of references, or references not aware of the candidate's job seeking status."

Be sure that you do not fall into one of these categories.  Check out an earlier blog in which I wrote about Thank You letters and provided you with a great link for some outstanding sample letters!

    

Talkin' Turkey...Happy Thanksgiving from the CWT!

The folks at 1-800 Flowers.com have posted some interesting "Turkey Facts".  This should help spark some interesting conversation around the dinner table Thursday.  All of us at the CWT wish you and yours a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. 

Turkey Trivia:

• Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.
• According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. That number represents one sixth of all the turkeys sold in the U.S. each year!
• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national bird.
• Domesticated turkeys cannot fly, however wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances.
• Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.
• The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds – about the size of a German Shepherd! (But turkeys are normally not used as police animals.)
• A turkey under 16 weeks of age is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a roaster.
• The Turkey Trot, a ballroom dance in the 1900s, was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey. It became popular mainly because it was denounced by the Vatican as "suggestive."
• Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)
• Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining!
• A turkey's field of vision is 270 degrees--one of the main reasons they're able to elude some hunters.
• The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.
• There was no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast.
• Contrary to popular belief, the Pilgrims did not have big buckles on their clothing, shoes, or hats.
• Buckles did not come into fashion until the late 1600s – more appropriate for the Salem Witchcraft trial time period.
• The cranberry got its name because the pale pink blossoms on the plant resembled a crane’s head and neck. The name craneberry stuck, eventually becoming cranberry.
• Fresh cranberries are ideal for cranberry sauce. Cranberries of the highest quality will always bounce! (If you try this at home, please wash the cranberries before eating.)
• President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863.
• President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of establishing a national "Thanksgiving Day."
• Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday until 1941.
• The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. (Now that's a lot of turkey!)

Let's Talk Turkey, 1-800Flowers.com, http://www.1-800flowers.com/, retrieved November 24, 2010 from: http://ww10.1800flowers.com/template.do?id=template8&page=4033&conversionTag=true.


JOB BLASTS: 

When applying for any position, be sure to follow the employer's instructions for making applications.  If it states:  "Fax or Email Resumes and Cover Letter" then do only Fax or Email submissions.  This is one way for employers to see if you are able to follow instructions!

NOTE:  Regretfully, the Michigan Talent Bank was unavailable when I was writing this post so I was unable to make the links to the posting.  If it becomes available before the end of the day I will update the post with the links.  However, you can access the Michigan Talent Bank by clicking on the following website:    

 https://www.michworks.org/mtb/pages/seeker/Jobseeker.jsp 

MacDonald Broadcasting (Lansing):  Traffic Director:  MTB: #2972939

Inventure Enterprises (East Lansing): 
     Engineering Software Programmer,  MTB:  #2972947

     User Interface UI/UX Designer,  MTB:  #2972947

Lansing Board of Water & Light (Lansing): 
     Manager Public Relations & Diversity:  MTB:  #2973077

Centennial Group (Lansing):  Marketing Coordinator,  MTB:  #2973239

Kentwood Office Furniture (Lansing):  Salesperson,  MTB:  #2972884

Super Nova (Lansing):  Salesperson/Support Staff,  MTB:  #2972205

Toshiba Business Solutions (Lansing):  Sales Representative,  MTB:  #2973544

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Job Blasts!

As we're in the midst of the beginning of Spring 2011 registration I am just going to posts some Job Blasts as I have quite a few!  Remember, to access the posting just click on the company website (if applicable) or the Michigan Talent Bank posting number.

We've helped several students today so hopefully, next week I'll get back on tract!  Just working to keep you informed of Job Postings!



Barnard Manufacturing (St. Johns): 
          Receptionist/Administrative Assistant,  MTB #2972050
          Administrative Assistant/Accountant,  MTB #2972049

Meijer (Dewitt):  Utility Worker, MTB #2972124

Dudley & Panek PC (East Lansing):  Receptionist/Secretary,  MTB #2971386

East Lansing Auto Pros (East Lansing):  Bookkeeper,  MTB #2972481

Medical Management Systems (Lansing):  Medical Billing Supervisor,  MTB #2958463

Louis Padnos Iron & Metal (Lansing): 
          Truck Driver (CDL),  MTB #2972381
          Material Sorter,  MTB #2972387
IMPORTANT NOTE:  Job seekers who are interested in applying for this position should FIRST apply online at http://www.padnos.com/ and SECOND, call (616) 796-7218 to schedule an interview.

Lansing Board of Water & Light (Lansing):
          Department Administrative Assistant,  MTB #2972094
          IT Analyst,  MTB #2972085
          Treasury Analyst,  MTB #2972093

HR On Demand (Lansing):  Quality Control Inspectors ($9.00/hour...1st, 2nd, & 3rd shifts).
A staffing agency that will be taking applications on Monday, November 22nd from11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center.  Bring two forms of I.D.  Will be required to undergo a background check and drug screen upon accepting position.

"Live from the CWT" Returns (with IMPORTANT DEADLINES!)

I'm sure that some of you were wondering where has Cathy gone?  She starts a blog and then nothing happens for a week.  Well, there is a reason for that.  Last week I attended the CAEL Conference (Council on Adult Experiential Learning).  It was facinating.  The week focused on many aspects of Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) and other areas of interest for Adult Learners.  Seeing that this is an important aspect of the work that we at the Center for Workforce Transition are involved with, I found the workshops and the material to be invaluable.  Over the next few weeks I will be including some great research and information specific to our Adult Learners.  So, keep an eye on the "Live from the CWT" blog!

Since I've been gone, today's Blog is going to focus on Job Blasts.  So, here you go (remember to click on the Michigan Talent Bank Job Posting number and you will be redirected to the posting):

INgage Networks (East Lansing):  Sr. Manager of Technology Delivery:  apply directly to their website at:  www.ingagenetworks.com/careers

Allegra of Lansing MarketingPrint Mailings (Lansing):  Sales Rep.  MTB #2970164

Holt Auto Alignment (Holt):  State Certified Mechanic  MTB #2969181

Citadel Broadcasting Company (Lansing):  Sales Manager  MTB #2967963

Citadel Broadcasting Company (Lansing):  Sales Assistant  MTB #2967964

Advanced Infusion Specialists, LLC (Lansing):  Nurse  MTB #2956598

Clark Family Repair Center (Leslie):  Experienced Mechanic  MTB #2970106


Important Registration Dates for Lansing Community College!

Spring 2011 Registration is beginning!  Registration for Spring Semester is based upon the number of credits earned through Summer 2010.  For information on when you can begin registering for your classes, please see the following schedule:

60 or more credits:     November 16th at 9:00 a.m.
30 or more credits:     November 16th at 9:00 p.m.
12 or more credits:     November 17th at 9:00 a.m.
 1 or more credits:      November 18th at 9:00 a.m.
        ALL:                       November 19th at 9:00 a.m.

Important Financial Aid Deadline for Lansing Community College!
It is important to keep in mind that the deadline for Financial Aid is Wednesday, December 1st!  Please know that applications may be submitted past this date but will not be processed until after the semester begins.  For more information on Financial Aid, please visit:  www.lcc.edu/finaid


Calendar of Events with the CWT at CAMW!
Here is the Calendar of Events for the CWT's activities at CAMW:

Monday:  Assessment Test,  8:30 a.m. - Noon
Tuesday:  Jobs Connection Workshop,  1:30 p.m.  - 3:00 p.m.
                  Truck Driver Training Program, Faculty Available, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday:  Financial Aid Workshop, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.  (walk-in)
Thursday:  Assessment Test, 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Friday:  LCC's Information Technology Faculty Available, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

As well, Advising Appointments are available.  Call (517) 492-5580 to schedule an appointment.  And, Walk-In assistance with Registration, FACTS Payment Plans and more are available.


Be sure to watch the Blog for more important deadlines and information regarding Spring 2011 Semester!

The $20K Decision that Didn't Work!

Growing up I spent my summers working on my father's golf course.  From the time I was a young child I fell in love with puppies and kittens.  Since the golf course was located out in the country there were always strays showing up.  Some mornings there would be three or four kittens at the door of the shed when I arrived.  Being young, I was amazed at how they managed to find their way to our place!  We were so lucky!

As it was, our family veterinarian's office was just around the corner from the business.  Without hesitation I would pack up the new arrivals and take them to Dr. Smith for a check-up and shots!  And, of course, you would be correct in assuming that my father would know nothing about this until the bill arrived.  Dad was a pretty good sport about it until the summer I 'rescued' 13 strays and had them cared for by the vet.  That was the bill that put the brakes on my summer project.

A few years later, I was accepted into Oklahoma State's Pre-Veterinary Program.  So, I packed my car and headed on down to Stillwater to begin my training in my new career.  While to many I may appear somewhat intelligent, I have to admit that I had no idea whatsoever that vets also took care of large animals until my first semester at OSU.  For three days a week, my 7:30 a.m. class (yes, I said 7:30!) was in the Animal Science building.  It was sure a surprise when I first arrived to find animal carcasses hanging from hooks around the classroom.  What followed next was pure shock.

There were the excursions to the dairy barns, followed by the trips to the not-so-clean bull pens.  Of course we wandered through fields where I learned, too late, that I needed to watch where I walked.  But, the final straw came when I spent a few weeks with the pigs.

You see, my ignorance brought some humor to my classmates.  They nicknamed me "Chicago" and associated anyone from the North as someone who had no clue about animals.  Well, I guess I didn't disappoint.  I discovered, far too late, that I should have spent more time exploring my career choice before I made the decision to follow what I soon learned would not be my career. 

What happened next left such an impression on me that to this day, I still think of it often.  One day during a lab involving two pigs in a pen, the instructor 'volunteered' me to step into the pen and answer one simple question.  Nervous, I did as I was told while all the time I could hear the snickering of my classmates as they circled the small enclosure.  In retrospect, I know now that no one wanted to miss what was going to come next.  I waited patiently for what I knew would be the career-killer.  It came.  Quietly, and without any hesitation, he asked me to identify the gender of each pig.  Yep, howling erupted from the crowd. 

You see, I like math.  So, standing there I frantically tried to calculate the best odds of identifying the right gender of the animals.  Since there were two, I figured I could select either female or male for both, and, if lucky, I would get one right.  So I did.  I stated with the best voice I could muster, "Male."  That was it.  Full blown, tear producing laughter surrounded me.  The instructor went over to the pigs, tapped them to make them stand up (which, is probably something I should have done), and, you guessed it...they were both female.

Believe it or not, but that is the reason why I have developed the Jobs Connection workshops that I present at Capital Area Michigan Works!  Generally speaking, we tend to make decisions based upon what we think we know rather than what actually, is.  Working with adults, it is important that we look at the skills and knowledge that one has acquired, coupled with interests to build a picture of where we might want to transition.  As well, it is important to explore what those interests are and gather information to use in making a good decision.

The workshop provides information and tools for individuals to use in helping identify career paths and/or opportunities that may not have been previously considered.  The workshops are free and are offered most Tuesdays.  If you're trying to figure out what the next stage in your career life might be and are not sure where to start, consider joining us for the next Jobs Connection workshop.

Job Blasts:  To view the Michigan Talent Bank posting for each Job Blast, be sure to click on the MTB number.

• Michigan Supreme Court (Lansing):  Administrative Assistant, MTB #2966139
• Shabazz Public Academy (Lansing):  Substitute Teacher, MTB #2965627
• Dart Container (Mason):  Credit Manager, MTB #2924165

Career Tip of the Day:  If you are looking to transition into a new career and are not sure where to begin, or want to obtain more information to assist in the decision, consider attending the next  Jobs Connection workshop.  Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 16, 2010 where the workshop will be held at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

And, to find out what happened in my 'career search' afterwards, watch future blogs.

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!