Cool Workshop News

There was a time (lo-these many years ago) when the only workshops I presented were live, face-to-face workshops in my classroom. It was a more participatory experience for all concerned. I loved interacting with the attendees.   However, the 'new normal' has changed things a bit. Seeing my smiling face in a little Zoom window (is now a main-stay. The havoc of the virtual workshops I'm afraid. While I am sure my enthusiasm still comes through, I miss helping people in a live, face-to-face setting.   So, not to be daunted by these obstacles. I have recently been taking some of my workshops on the road (coming now to a town near you)! This month alone I have presented at 3 different schools in our region.   On May 3rd, I joined some of my co-patriots at CSO to present résumé preparation and online job hunting tips at McCann Business school in Lewisburg. We spent about an hour presenting to several classes in a large lecture classroom.   On May 6th, I spent all day (a ...

  In my last post, I mentioned distributing flyers about all the great stuff we offer at your local CareerLink®. My goal was to get the word out that we are MORE than just a place you have to go when you are unemployed. Needless to say, we are a GREAT place to go if you are unemployed, but...   That's not all we do, as demonstrated by the large variety of workshops we offer. I have found, within the last year or so, that there is an extreme interest in learning some more of the basics of everyday technology, such as basic computer skills, and basic internet skills. So I am also starting a fun and freaky series of internet security tips that promote technology training services for those who feel left behind by the exponentially expanding reliance on using computers and the internet.  So take a look at one of them. Stay tuned, more historical characters will e tossing in their two cents worth of cyber security wisdom soon. Who knew these concepts are over a hundred ye...

  I wish I had a dime (OK - maybe a quarter due to inflation) every time someone said to me "I had no idea I could get all this training for free.  Why don't more people do this?" Why indeed? Generally speaking (with but a few exceptions) most people have never heard of us until they are forced to due to unemployment issues. And as I have said (and will say again)  we excel at helping you navigate that complex maze. But we are so much more. We need to let the masses know what they have at their disposal. But - you know - non-profits and all - funds are limited. So I am trying to find ways to get awareness for the classes I offer out there to be seen. Start small - aim big I always say (or maybe I heard it said..?). Heck, I can take them on the road if I have to. So, one simple way is to get some flyers out on public bulletin boards (you know, the ones you walk past and generally ignore in the grocery store, coffee shop, and Library)? But - mine will be a little different ...

I have always thought that CareerLink needed to do more to let people know who we are and what we do. Sometimes it seems like the only people who know we exist (or think we only provide services) are the unemployed. While we offer more and more services along these lines, invaluable assistance, I will dare to say, CareerLink is so much more. YES - we have an excellent website to help the LOCAL job seeker find LOCAL employment. YES- we have on-site staff to provide personalized help with employment and unemployment services, Veteran assistance, job training, GED, and more. YES - we have a Computer Resource Area (or the CRA) for people who do not have access to computers for Unemployment tasks and job searching. YES - we have a roving, mobile computer lab that travels far and wide to bring our services to your town. Just look for 'The LINK,' an RV-sized vehicle cruising around. It doesn't get more convenient than that. But did you know that - NO - you DO NOT  have to be UNemp...

Just when I thought the 'February blah's' had started to take their toll, a glorious gift was bestowed upon me - 12 spankin' new Dell computers for my classroom! Yessiree bob - the old tower computers have been retired, along with their 'retro' Windows 8 and MS Office 2016 software. (good by old friends, you have served us well). In their place are tiny little Dell OptiPlex computers, sporting Windows 10 (not ready to test Windows 11 yet) and the newest MS Office apps. Obviously, we are wired up to fast ethernet connection to cruise the light fantastic on the internet. Now you may say "ok Scott, that is groovy and all. But why should I be doing a jig about this?" Well, my amigo's, although I would never dis my own virtual presentations, sometimes you need hand-on instruction to learn certain technical skills. Try learning to play a guitar by watching videos and not HAVING a guitar. Get it? If you need some basic computer or internet skills, want to...