Scottsdale Job Network is now Southwest Job Network (SJN)
Over the last month or so there has been some changes with Scottsdale Job Network, a non-profit organization I volunteer for, and is also one of the resources I have been utilizing during my job search.
They have been renamed Southwest Job Network to better position themselves and be recognized as the premier valley wide resource for those in the community who are in a job search or career transition or for anyone considering a change in careers during these challenging economic times.
During the month of June they have held events in other parts of the valley, on the west side of the valley in Glendale for their kickoff event at co-sponsor Glendale Community College a workshop entitled “Get Wired to Get Hired” held on 6/4/09.
They also held an event at Chandler-Gilbert Community College on 6/11/09 for the start of their six part job search curriculum, with part one titled, “Understanding the Emotions of a Career Change”.
I attended both of these events as a supporter for SJN and one of the things I remember Eric Walton saying in his presentation at the Chandler event was something like “We are not a job service, and won’t get you a job, but will teach you to fish.” That is a big part of what I like about SJN, and why I will continue to volunteer my time after I’ve landed my next position. People helping people, is what it’s all about.
SJN is staffed entirely by volunteers, from the founder Chris Vicari, and the other board members, to greeters at events who take new registrations and answer questions, to people who speak at the events, to those behind the scenes providing support in a variety of way including monitoring and approving messages on the Yahoo group, uploading and updating files, responding to information requests, to people who run for refreshments for the meetings, people who review resumes at some events, and people who handle the setup and take-down of audio-visual equipment at meetings, and those that provide technical assistance when needed.
Volunteering for SJN has been a blessing for me, I’ve met many amazing people through this organization. I started this blog after several conversations with people at SJN including Bill Austin, who answered my questions about blogging, and many other members who I am able to bounce ideas off of to get feedback.
There are many exciting things coming up for SJN, and volunteering and getting involved is one way I know to expand your network, get out and be involved.
Losing a job has many emotional sides to it, and having only moved here a year and a half ago for a job, and only knowing a handful of people which were mainly the people I worked with, SJN and people I’ve met through this organization are there for moral and emotional support, and have been part of my support structure as I move forward in my job search.
As I last posted, I was given the opportunity to speak briefly at a blogging workshop hosted by SJN and was asked to give a job-seekers view on blogging, and how it’s another tool to use in and during your job search. I likely would not have had that opportunity had I not been involved with and volunteering for SJN at that time. An article ran in the Arizona Republic a short time after that event and can be found here: Baby Boomers turn to blogs to find jobs
Currently the website for SJN is at Scottsdalejobnet.com but will be transitioning to Southwestjobnet.com soon.
Happy Monday and Happy Reading!
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