A Veterans Job and Resource Fair took place in April, with 50 participating employers and resource organizations.
Job openings are on the rise in Northern Nevada and more assistance than ever before is also available for hiring companies to connect with qualified applicants.
“We have 151 active jobs now listed on CareerLink and 673 registered employers,” said Kelley Wong, Career Center Specialist at Truckee Meadows Community College. “These are active jobs, because we clear them every 90 days if a company hasn’t already pulled their filled positions. And new jobs are being called in nearly every day.”
CareerLink is a comprehensive job search-and-find software for TMCC students and alumni.
In addition to the current job listings, the Career Center continues to offer through the summer help with resume writing, interview practice and networking skills. Wong advises students seeking part-time and full-time jobs or internships to continue checking the listings on CareerLink.
“Students can come in and let us know they’re still looking, and then we can easily help them with CareerLink jobs or brushing up their resume,” Wong said. “Stopping by the Career Center is a kind of networking opportunity that is here for students.”
A greater connection between the College and employers
“Our partnerships with local businesses are taking off, from our teaming up with the Plato’s Closet and Clothing Mentor for career clothing fashion shows, to a growing internship program with the City of Reno, Charles River Laboratories, CustomInk, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and many others,” Wong said.
Marcie Iannacchione, Internship Coordinator agrees.
"Having these internship partnerships has benefited our area employers and the students at TMCC," she said.
CareerLink was launched in 2014, following staff training which began in March of that year. The extensive software program enables employers to post jobs and internships, and search resumes based on key words. Students and alumni can search jobs, post resumes and practice job application skills through recorded mock interviews. When employers register on CareerLink, they are also invited to events such as job fairs and student networking breakfasts.
An official internship program was also added in 2014 as Job Prep evolved into what is now the Career Center. Iannacchione said that the structured process connecting a participating employer partner, faculty sponsor and student creates a professional experience for the student. Companies benefit with well-prepared, newly-skilled employees.
A new program called Employer Solutions was added in the 2014-2015 academic year to further expand the connection between companies and TMCC students and alumni.
“The mission of Employer Solutions is twofold — to help employers find new highly skilled workers and to create awareness of College's training and professional development offerings for their current staff,” said Sidney Sullivan, Employer Solutions Co-Manager. “TMCC can assist with expert speakers for team meetings or seminars or planning conference rooms at TMCC.”
Participation in 2015-2016 CareerLink, Internship program and Job Fairs includes the following:
- Fall Job Fair with 50 employers, 300 attending
- Spring Job Fair featuring 72 employers, more than 350 attendees
- Fall Veterans Job/Resource Fair with 50 employers, 100 attending
- Spring Veterans Job/Resource Fair with 62 employers, 85 attendees
- CareerLink jobs posted, 905 from July 1, 2015-May 5, 2016
- Internships, 24 from Fall 2015-Summer 2016, including 16 paid internships
- Site agreements with new internships being designed, 11
An Employer Solutions Newsletter has also been created and the first edition was emailed to local companies at the end of May.
More workshops for students
“We want to help and prepare students and alumni to be self-sufficient and employable through developing their soft skills, professionalism, problem-solving and public speaking skill,” Wong said.
Students and alumni have shared stories about their successes, including some who report being hired as a direct result of TMCC Job Fairs or Veteran Job and Resource Fairs.
“Quite a few students have come back or emailed me that they used what they learned here in job interviews,” Wong said. “One particular graduate at first had trouble finding a career job. It just wasn’t happening for her. I worked with her for about a week, the week she was going to have an interview. She got the job she was interviewing for.”
Soft skills and professionalism involve knowing what employers typically look for in time management, professional communication, business attire and conflict resolution.
Workshops and career services for 2015-2016 include the following:
- Interviewing and LinkedIn workshops, 26
- Veteran-specific career workshops, 8
- Spring Break boot camp workshops, 8
- Career exploration workshops, 21
- Two professional development seminars, one veteran professional development day
- Two video workshops through TAACCCT grant
- Mocktail interview event and Dress for Success Panel
- CareerLink students registered, 879
“We’ve seen participation grow in one-to-one appointments and attendance at workshops,” Wong said. “More employers and students are coming to the Job Fairs. Also, it’s great that instructors have incorporated some of the workshops and fairs into their curriculum.”
Students bring in a classroom form for Wong’s signature or take a “selfie” with a Career Center staff member at the workshop or event for class extra credit.
“Some faculty members have made it part of a project to do a mock interview or resume review,” she said.
It’s not clear yet just how much the connection between businesses and the workforce will grow.
“We’re getting more phone calls from employers looking for employees and it’s continuing through the summer,” Wong said.
More information about the Career Center or CareerLink can be found on their websites.