Students are helping to organize the Dress for Success Fashion Show, and clothes from members of the TMCC community will present stylish options for job-seekers on a budget.
Job experts at Truckee Meadows Community College are hosting new events to help graduates find that first rewarding career job.
Resume and interview workshops will continue throughout April, and new events such as a professional development conference and the “Dress for Success Fashion Show” are scheduled. The month will culminate in the Networking Breakfast and Spring Job Fair with regional employers looking to hire.
“We have students that get interviews and get hired as a result of our job fairs,” said Kelley Wong, Job Preparation Specialist.
A Full Schedule of Mini-workshops Will Help Students Prepare for All Parts of Job-seeking
- Resume Workshops take place on Apr. 1, 6, 7, 22, and 27
- Interview Workshops will be held on Apr. 2, 21, and 23
- Networking and LinkedIn Training is available on Apr. 13, 14, 16 and 30
- Internship Workshops are taking place on Apr. 8, 9, and 15
The schedule is also posted on the Job Prep Center's website.
One new event is a specialized resume workshop for veterans from Noon-1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 7 in Sierra Building, room 108.
“The presenter is someone who has been in the military, a Marine who works at JobConnect helping veterans with their resumes and job search,” Wong said. “Job Prep is partnering with TMCC’s Veterans Resource Center to help veterans capitalize on the specialized and practiced skills learned while in the armed forces.”
The Veterans Resume Workshop is open to all veterans at TMCC and their spouses.
Another new focus is interning.
“Interning can help you get your foot in the door, gain real-world experience and network in your preferred field,” Wong said. “It also helps a person see a chosen career in action, and see what you like, giving you more information if you need to take a new or adjusted direction.”
Mentors who have interned successfully are leading an Intern Panel discussion from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 8 in the V. James Eardley Student Center. Wong encourages students to attend and find out about interning in jobs from grads who have the experience under their belt.
Mocktail Hour Networking Simulation Will Help Job-seekers Practice in a Fun Way
Virtual cocktail hour networking is a new happening from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 13 in the Golden Frog restaurant, next to TMCC’s Cafe.
“Chef Cannan and the Culinary Arts Program students are creating tasty hors d'oeuvres and mock cocktails for students to practice their networking skills,” Wong said.
TMCC faculty members have volunteered to act as employers in character, and will give participants suggestions and tips for effective impression-building. Students are asked to dress in business casual attire to immerse themselves in the experience. That way, when grads attend real cocktail hour networking, they have already practiced an almost identical situation in a less scary environment.
The unique Mocktail event is a collaboration between Job Prep and the student employment area of TMCC's Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment Department.
Another partner event to celebrate Student Employment Week is the LinkedIn Pizza Lunch on Thursday, April 16. Wong and Valerie Lambert, Program Officer, have teamed up to offer students a presentation about the professional social media website, while attendees enjoy pizza and a soda. RSVPs are requested to better plan ahead for the lunch.
Mock interviews will be held as a convenient drop-in session from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 23 in Red Mountain Building, room 256. Students are asked to RSVP to Job Prep and bring resumes to this workshop.
“You can practice answering random interview questions so you’re not surprised at an actual interview,” Wong said. “It calms the nerves and helps you to be more comfortable when you practice before the real meeting.”
Student Professional Development Conference
The first-time-ever TMCC Student Professional Development Conference takes place from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 24 on the Dandini Campus. Featured are expert speakers, sit-down breakfast and lunch, and raffles for cap and gown packages.
Human Resources professionals will be present to cover topics that are not typically presented in other workshops. Four or more alumni will also talk about how they are proceeding in their careers.
“They will talk about what they’ve learned, how their career is advancing, and the business entrepreneurs in the group will describe what it takes to start your own small business,” Wong said.
HR specialists will give information on negotiating salary, understanding employee benefit packages, and achieving promotion. The free conference is intended for those students who have recently graduated, or who plan to graduate with a degree, certificate or license in 2015.
Student Government Association and Job Prep Have Collaboratively Developed a New Fashion Show
The Dress for Success Fashion Show from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 28, will present stylish business options for job-seekers on a budget. Students are helping to put together the show, and clothes utilized will be from members of the TMCC community.
A management assistant at Junkee Clothing Exchange will emcee the show that takes place in the V. James Eardley Student Center. She will assist students putting on the fashion show to present professional outfits in different price ranges.
“It will be about what you can use from your closet that you already own, and what items you might want to think about buying,” Wong said. “You can repurpose clothes and pair them with classic or accent items. The show is not advertising on behalf of any clothing store.”
A Networking Breakfast With Employers Precedes the Job Fair
The free networking breakfast will take place from 9-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 29 in Red Mountain Building, room 256. Students and alumni are encouraged to dress up one level in business casual to stand out professionally, and to be prepared to get an interview on the spot.
Local employers ready to hire will meet and greet students at this casual prelude to the Job Fair.
“It’s a good way to get face-time with employers before the actual fair,” Wong said.
More than 30 hirers will attend the spring Job Fair starting at 10 a.m. in the Student Center:
- Accounting
- Banking
- Casino and hospitality
- Healthcare
- Non-profits
- Promotional products/graphic design
- Restaurant supplies and equipment
- Shamrock Communications
- Schools
- Security
- Staffing agencies
Additionally, more companies are in the process of reserving spaces. Students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and treat it like actual mini-interviews. For more information on the Job Fair or other Job Prep Center events, call 775-673-7170.