Unemployed and Looking for Answers

Presented by:Kathleen E. High, M.Ed.

Independent Education/Career ConsultantDream Chasers & Goal Setters

Sponsored by:Living Beyond Work Loss

(Unemployed Support Group)VCF - Anaheim

Overview Receive helpful and practical information

and resources for: · Job Search—Where to find information,

resources, and support · New Career — How to transition into a new

direction · Education — How to address educational needs

and questions · Personal — How to meet financial, personal,

and emotional needs · Priorities—How to discern where your priorities

should be

Why Are You Here today?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?

MY LIFE EXPERIENCE: Laid off of nine-year position

◦ went to school to finish my degree From: Secretary – business world (1997) To: Counselor/professor – Higher

Education (the process: 13 + years) Wanted to make a career change No one could answer my questions Through this journey, found my life calling

Why This Workshop?

TODAY’S ECONOMIC CONDITIONS: Too many are unemployed and lost They often don’t know what to do Their learning is often distracted “by life” Difficult to stay focused on learning new

skills when worried about meeting needs Access to education is now limited due to

the budget crisis Colleges/Universities and Unemployment

Offices are swamped

Why This Workshop? (Cont’d)

•On what kind of Resources are available•On identifying what kind of Support is available

Information:

•Where to get help and referrals for:•Work, education and meeting personal needs

Resources:

•Identify what kind of support they need•Where to get it

Support:

What The Unemployed Need:

What You Will Get Today: INFORMATION

To help you figure out what to do next Change your expectations and

perspective:◦ Today’s Reality◦ Setting Goals◦ Meeting Your Needs

Information:

• How to set appropriate educational goals• How to achieve desired educational goalsEducation

• How to identify jobs that will help you achieve your goals (now and in the future)Work

• How to provide for various needs without a regular paycheckNeeds

INFORMATION:(Assignments Recommended)

TODAY’S REALITY:◦Rapidly-Changing World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U The world is changing – how should you respond?

◦Generational Values Your generation affects your worldview

◦Discerning Seasons Life is like the weather: Seasons change End of a season: Not the end of the world

◦Paradigm Shifts When “reality” is shattered

INFORMATION:(Assignments Recommended-cont’d)

SETTING GOALS:◦Dream Chaser’s & Goal Setter’s Journey

A visual of what affects your success

◦Reaching Career Goals Career Changes: A two-step process Types of jobs: Survival, Entry-Level, Transition, Dream

Job Importance of Missions/Values Fit

◦Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Managing multiple needs

◦Priorities Identifying what is important and what is not

INFORMATION:(Assignments Recommended-cont’d)

MEETING YOUR NEEDS: Managing Finances

◦ Lessons learned the hard way: Change Your Perspective Establishing a Source of Income Lowering Your Financial Obligations Strategies and Tips for Reducing Expenses Solutions for Emergency Situations

Unemployed Resources◦ Meeting needs through alternative resources:

Federal and state government, non-profit, and others

•Guidance•Academic SuccessEducation

•Career Decision Making•Job Search Skills (Resumes, Interviewing, etc.)Work

•Food , Shelter, clothing, etc.•Medical, transportation, child/elder/pet care, emotional and spiritual support, etc.Needs

Resources:

RESOURCES:On Most College Campuses

CAREER CENTER◦ One-On-One Career Counseling◦ Career Assessments (Personality, Interests, Values, Skills, etc.)◦ Workshops (Resumes, Interviewing, Studying, Success, etc.)◦ Handouts (Labor Market Trends, Goal Setting, Choosing Majors, etc.)◦ Career Research Resources (Online programs, books, etc.)◦ Computer Lab

COUNSELING DEPARTMENT:◦ One-On-One Counseling◦ Counseling Classes (for academic/career success)

Disabled Student Services◦ Vocational Counseling, Accommodations, Resources, Support

TRANSFER CENTER:◦ Help/Information for Transfer Planning (future school research)

SEE “UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” FOR MORE

RESOURCES:Non-College Campus Resources

IF YOUR PRIORITY IS TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT ASAP:

◦ Sign up with your Local “One-Stop” Center (Unemployment Office)

◦ Their objective is to get you back to work ASAP SEE “MANAGING FINANCES”

◦ For non-traditional solutions for meeting your needs SEE “UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES”

◦ For Resources: State Government Federal Government Community/Non-Profit/For-Profit organizations

•Academic and Career Counselors•Academic Success Classes•Career Center Resources•Disabled Student Services

Education

•Local One Stop Centers (EDD)•Academic Counselors•College career centers•Job Placement Office (offered at most colleges)

Work•Family, friends, networks, counselors, spiritual directors, financial aid, support groups, teachers, social service agencies, non-profits, churches and other faith communitiesNeeds

Support:

SUPPORT:On Most College Campuses

CAREER COUNSELING◦Career Center

ACADEMIC COUNSELING◦ Counseling Department

PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING◦ Student Health Center

DISABILITIES (Physical, Learning, Etc.) COUNSELING Disabled Students Programs & Services

FOR VALIDATION OF YOUR JOURNEY◦ Handouts Mentioned Earlier

Often validate what individuals are experiencing Often leads to healing of some unresolved issues

“UNEMPLOYED RESOURCES” LISTS MORE

SUPPORT:Off Campus

SEE:◦ “Managing Finances”◦ “Unemployed Resources” ◦ Check your church – What resources do they

offer?

YOUR OWN PERSONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM ◦ (See “Dream Chaser’s Journey”)

You have four options:◦Living Beyond Work Loss

Unemployed Support group offered here at VCF - Anaheim◦Mt. SAC: Enroll in my STDY 80 class

http://elearn.mtsac.edu/khigh/stdy80/

◦ Cypress: Career counseling through the Career Planning Center Workshops offered through the Career Planning Center http://www.cypresscollege.edu/ad/adjunct.aspx?ID=khigh

◦Dream Chasers & Goal Setters: Individual consulting http://www.dreams-goals.com/index.html

See “Introduction Letter” for more details

SUPPORT:Wish to follow up with me?

What are your needs? Where are your priorities? Which resources presented today can

help? What to do next?

◦ REFLECT: What is your “inner voice” saying

to you right now?

Wrap Up – Answer the Following

Let us know what additional information you need

What workshops do you want? Please fill out the survey

Wrap Up – Help Us to Help You