Project Lemon-aid De-brief

Last week I attended an event, Project Lemon Aid, for job seekers that was advertised as "unlike any other event you will attend." And I gotta admit that it lived up to its billing.
There were 3 speakers and a participant-participant networking session which is a fairly common format for these type of gatherings. However, the content from the spekaers is what set this event apart. Other than a few questions from the studio audience, the presentations did NOT cover the standard fare--resumes, cover letters, etc. Rather, the content of the presentations was focused on PMA. Positive Mental Attitiude. "Create the habit of thinking what you want." "Angry thoughts produce angry energy which attracts anger into our lives." "Believe it to achieve it."
And also remaining unfailingly persistent during one's search.
For anybody in sales, this was good stuff. And since everybody in career transition is "selling themselves" there was probably some benefit to all.
One exercise that I found interesting was one of the speakers asked everyone to list life experiences that induced fear. And then asked us to indicate whehter the experience held us back or helped us move forward.

There was a bit of a scheduling snafu with the photographer, but pictures were eventually taken.

--
Mike
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Stumbling blocks and prospects

Well, I was a bit too optimistic about Iowa Workforce (i.e., now called Iowa Works). Spent a good chunk of 3 days down there last week and though the personnel had obviously gotten lots of training in how to treat clients, there was still tons of misinformation given out. Everyone seemed to have a different idea about where I should go next and for what reason. I plowed though the system though, skipping over areas and going to the top in some cases. I still have work to do down there this week though.

I also spent quite a bit of time at DMACC, trying to register for the right (i.e., high demand) course work that would qualify for the new dislocated worker program or the extended 26-week unemployment benefits. DMACC also did not know what was going on and I got that story from more than 1 counselor who I asked to assist me. Not too much help there. I was exhausted when I got home on Friday night.

And yes, kudos for Grandview offering free classes. I will have 9 credits in my pocket in another few weeks. Hopefully 3 of them will transfer to DMACC for my certificate program I'm enrolled in.

Of course though, when it rains, it pours. I now have two phone job interviews scheduled for this week!! I may get a job after all.

Tip of the Hat to Grandview

In the continuing series of The Perks of Being Unemployed (ok-technically this is only the second post on that topic so perhaps it not yet an official series), I gotta tip my hat to Grandview. They generously offered to waive tuition for all the Summer sessions for everybody who was laid off. I'm not aware of any other local university/college who made such a generous offer.
Unfortunately, there were no IT classes on the Summer schedule, but I jumped into an Investments class. Have been to several sessions now and gotta say that I'm really enjoying being back in the classroom. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the intellectual challenge of studying a new subject.
The instructor is great. He uses a very practical and real-world approach to the material. It feels a tiny bit odd being in class with all young people, but they probably think that it is a bit odd being in class with me and we all make a dynamic group with diverse views.
Taking a class (even a free class) is not as good as landing a new position and the course is taking a little more time than I was expecting, but I still think that this endeavor is well worth the time (and definitely better than crab fishing).
I have no idea whether Grandview will continue the program in the Fall, but if they do I would highly recommend taking a class.

--
Mike
Click here to see the segment that WHO-TV did on me

Click here to see my profile

To follow this blog add it to your Reader or click on the link in the Followers section at the top right.

What a difference!

Just got back from the "newly revised" Iowa Workforce Center. What great changes they have made! They've been operating for four days with the new system and the unemployed actually get treated as "HUMAN BEINGS." I was very pleased. I complimented every worker that I had contact with. Was told though that they are still working out kinks which I'm sure they will be doing for quite a while. I have to really commend the agency though for putting on this "NEW FACE."

I did come away though without some specific questions about the dislocated worker program and the extended unemployment benefits while in school being answered. The new system requires you now to attend an assessment meeting which is held at 2:30 every day. That is a good thing though--I Just have to wait a bit more time to get my questions answered and to get back into "their system."

I believe though that even with all of their efforts, it is still going to be extremely difficult for the unemployed to find jobs. That is why I think the grassroots efforts of AMOS are important. They are going to be talking one-to-one with employers. Perhaps Iowa Workforce does this also though.

Meanwhile though, I did turn my experience into a networking opportunity and was able to give out two business cards for my home interior, home staging business!

Iowa Workforce

I also heard last night at the AMOS meeting from the Iowa Workforce representative that the job fairs held in Des Moines have now been changed to once a month rather than every week due to a lack of employers interested in participating.