Jobseekers Get a Back Stage Pass to The Job Market at April 7 Career Expo

PHILADELPHIA, April 3, 2014—Coleen Yenoli thought the restaurant industry might prove an exciting career, but after earning an undergraduate degree in hospitality management, she realized that lifestyle just didn't work for her. She hated the weekend and night hours.

So she started over again, this time earning credentials as a paralegal from a new institution, Community College of Philadelphia. In that field, she found a rewarding job that pays well, and is a perfect fit.

Each year, thousands of Americans switch careers and majors, which increases their costs and lengthens the time required to complete a degree or obtain a job credential. In an effort to support these students who are making these life-changing decisions, Community College of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry are teaming up on April 7 to offer the Backstage Jobs Pass and Career Expo, which puts experts, job openings, and information on the hottest careers at their fingertips.

The free event, which is open to the public, will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the College's Great Hall in the Winnet Student Life Building, on the west side of 17th Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill streets. It will feature opening remarks from Labor & Industry officials and useful tips, including instruction on using JobGateway.pa.gov.

"JobGateway provides job-seekers with opportunities to assess interests, explore careers, practice interviewing skills and search from among tens of thousands of jobs," said Labor & Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway who, along with staff, will attend the event. "The site has been hard at work helping Pennsylvanians find not only the right jobs, but the right career path."

The College’s staff of career experts also will be on hand to provide live demonstrations of its resources, which are free to students and the general public.  Through the College Central Network available at www.collegecentral.com/ccp Philadelphians have access to online resources such as the Virtual Career Library and CHOICES, a software program that helps individuals assess their interests and skills.

Job seekers can also create an account on the College Central Network and use it to post resumes and apply for jobs. The site also provides announcements about on-campus recruiting, job fairs and other job-hunting activities in Philadelphia.

 "Students can reduce the cost of their education if they make smart career choices and use data to help them discover where the jobs are,” said Judith Gay, Ph.D., interim president of Community College of Philadelphia.  “These new career sites help them, and our community, locate job openings in their own neighborhoods and determine which industries are experiencing the fastest growth.”

Yenoli agrees those career tools would have been helpful when she was deciding on her educational path. She works in the legal industry as an assistant administrative director, after finishing her studies at the College. "I think JobGateway is a great idea," Yenoli said. "Not everyone knows what they want to do, but if you have the tools you can better determine what you want."