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Programs Employer Services About Support JEVS

Building Career Pathways in Information Technology

By Jade D. 

At JEVS Human Services (JEVS) we value our relationships with local employers and their support in providing employment pathways for our participants.  

Rob C., Director of Operations at i2m, has worked with JEVS Project WOW and IT Pre-Apprenticeship participants to provide interview prep, internship opportunities, and full-time jobs at i2m.  

Here’s what Rob had to say about his experiences with our participants and the impact they’ve had on the company as a whole. 

What made you begin your relationship with JEVS Project WOW/IT Pre-Apprenticeship? 

When I started at i2m five years ago, I was excited by the work we do with nonprofits, supporting those who are supporting the community in which we live. Our first intern, Jonathan R., is still with us and has received multiple promotions and is now working as a Systems Administrator. He is one of our shining stars and I believe that his work and dedication is what convinced us that this was a program that benefited us as much as we could benefit JEVS. Since then, we’ve expanded our work with these students and the time we volunteer with JEVS to assist this program. We take on as many interns as we can, I give presentations to the cohorts on resume building, what the IT interview process will look like, and my experience in the field. Personally, I am very passionate about this work because of my background. I was a first-generation college graduate who came from a family who had very little, and I saw what a struggle it was for my parents to be able to support me and my siblings. I also found that it was a field dominated by a single demographic of people that didn’t look like me and didn’t come from the places I came from. Working with interns out of this program allows for folks who don’t have traditional opportunities to break into IT to get their first real chance working in a field that can give their families better opportunities. 
 
How many program graduates are currently working at i2m? 

Out of our 18 full-time employees, we currently have seven employees who have come out of JEVS Project WOW/IT Pre-Apprenticeship. On top of that, we’ve hired five other interns who have moved on to bigger and better things outside of i2m.  

What support do they receive at i2m to further their skills? 

If they’re interning with us our objective for them is to take what they learned in class and see real world examples of these theories in action. Our goal is for the intern to walk into interviews for their first jobs, full of confidence about what they know and how well they know it. These internships can be four, six, or eight weeks in length and we try to expose them to everything a first-year technician will come across. If they get hired out of internship, our pre-apprenticeship program begins. This program is far more intensive and focuses on the many different opportunities in IT to expose the apprentice to as much as we can outside of their daily duties. This also helps i2m start to gauge what skillset or natural aptitudes the apprentice has and help guide them to future positions within i2m.  

What has been your experience working with our graduates? 

Our experience has been great. Graduates come to us full of excitement about this field and ready to tackle it. We’ve built our employment funnel around the internship program. We very rarely hire outside of these programs, then we promote from within to fill vacancies. This has allowed i2m to grow, for our staff to be as diverse and representative as our clients, and to allow us to have staff members who are excited about their work.   

Learn more about JEVS Employer Services here. 

Career Development Resources at JEVS

By Jade D.

November is National Career Development Month, for people to assess their current positions and think about their future professional goals.  

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) has several programs that help individuals gain skills and find employment. Our career development resources include: 

JEVS Career Solutions for 55+ provides one-on-one career counseling for mature jobseekers in Philadelphia. 

JEVS Career Strategies uses personal career coaching, assessments, computer training, and workshops to help individuals find and secure jobs.  

JEVS Center for New Americans provides job training and employment coaching to refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking through comprehensive programming. 

JEVS hireAbility offers employment services that help individuals with disabilities, mental health needs, or substance use disorders get employed and be active in their communities. 

Helping Hands offers help to Jewish community members who are looking for a new job.  

PA CareerLink® helps individuals learn new skills like how to write a resume, prepare for an interview, and maintain steady employment. 

Work Ready provides employment services to individuals who receive TANF and SNAP assistance through a team of dedicated case coordinators. 

To learn more about career development opportunities at JEVS, visit the link here and get started! 

From Client to Employee: Meet Jorge 

By Fatima Martin

Imagine working successfully as a nonprofit consultant for years only to find yourself suddenly needing a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

That’s the position in which PA CareerLink® client Jorge found himself.  

After navigating his job search on his own as a mature job seeker, Jorge needed support finding employment opportunities. So, Jorge sought help through the Mayor’s Commission on Aging, a resource that led him to PA CareerLink® 

From day one, PA CareerLink® inspired Jorge. As a place of cooperation, support, and empowerment, “it became the place I wanted to be part of in my employment journey,” he shared. The program played a substantial role in helping Jorge land his current role as a Bilingual Workforce Advisor at PA CareerLink®.  

This means that now Jorge is helping others who are in the same place that he was a few years ago! 

Jorge is beyond grateful for the team that supported him in restarting and reclaiming his career path and is happy to now work alongside them. 

You can learn more about services provided by PA CareerLink® by clicking the link here. 

 

October 2023 Skills Training Opportunities at JEVS 

By Jade A. Daniels

 

Are you interested in gaining a skill or earning a certification this fall? Do you want to get free resources to help you land a career? 

JEVS Human Services (JEVS) has healthcare courses beginning this month and a variety of free career workshops to help you achieve your education and career goals. Upcoming courses and workshops include: 

Healthcare & IT Courses 

Phlebotomy offered by JEVS EduConnect 

Clinical Medical Assistant offered by JEVS EduConnect 

CompTia A+ offered by JEVS EduConnect 

Career Workshops 

Getting Mature Jobseekers Back to Work offered by JEVS Career Solutions for 55+ 

Looking for a Career in Healthcare or IT offered by JEVS EduConnect 

A New Career is Waiting for You offered by JEVS EduConnect    

How to Ace Your Job Interview offered by JEVS Career Strategies 

Tricks of the Trade to Get Your Resume Noticed offered by JEVS Career Strategies 

 

View our full list of October career workshops by clicking this link. 

3 Tips for Thriving in Your Job Search After 55

Are you considering a return to the workforce or a career change at an age when you might not have expected it? It’s a question that resonates with a growing number of people as financial concerns stemming from the cost of living and inflation push more individuals to contemplate job changes at later stages in life. If you’re part of this group, you’re likely navigating a complex mix of emotions as you embark on your job search journey.

Searching for a job can undoubtedly be a stressful experience, and as a mature job seeker, you may be grappling with doubts and fears. It’s not uncommon for employers to question whether mature individuals possess the technical skills and adaptability needed in today’s multi-generational workforce. So, how can you conquer these doubts and challenge the stereotypes that some employers may hold about workers over the age of 50?

The answer might surprise you.

Peggy Truitt, the Director of Career Strategies at JEVS, has extensive experience working with mature individuals, and she offers a valuable insight: “The key to combating these stereotypes begins with shifting your mindset.” Picture of an older woman sitting on a couch and touching an iPad screen

She emphasizes, “While age discrimination is a reality, working with a career counselor can help you regain confidence by recognizing the immense value you bring as an experienced candidate.” Peggy adds, “Our clients aged 55 and above consistently express how much our career strategies have helped them prepare for interviews and secure exciting new opportunities.”

Fortunately, with the guidance of career professionals and strategic actions on your part, you can take that crucial first step toward embarking on a new, fulfilling career path. So, let’s explore the 3 main steps you can take to kickstart this exciting journey.

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning

Although the job market has evolved and it’s important to be technically savvy, don’t underestimate the power of being willing to learn. Many employers look for individuals who can step into unfamiliar territory, ask questions, and onboard quickly. Some companies even prefer employees to acquire their knowledge and skills through their own training programs rather than relying on prior experience gained elsewhere.

2. Leverage Your Experience

In the job hunt at 55 and beyond, seasoned individuals bring unique qualities to the forefront. Their years of dedication, proven commitment, and refined communication skills stand out. These traits are more than words; they’re a testament to resilience and adaptability. Seasoned job seekers know how to collaborate effectively with diverse age groups, offering a wealth of experience. In your job search, be sure to showcase the details of your experience and achievements. Our career counselors can help you with resume highlights and interview preparation so that you illustrate your experience as a desirable asset in today’s evolving professional landscape.

3. Seek Professional Career Guidance

While re-entering the job market, ask yourself if you could benefit from the support of a dedicated group of job search professionals who specialize in helping mature individuals find rewarding employment opportunities. This is where the JEVS Career Solutions for 55+ Program comes into play – a team that exclusively works with individuals like you!

view of two women sitting at a table signing paperwork. faces not visible.

In addition to these 3 tips, our career counselors will help you develop your “elevator pitch,” which is around a 30-second intro about yourself and your background. It can feel weird to self-promote, but all professionals can benefit from being strategic about and comfortable with sharing a quick personal introduction. In fact, Career Solutions for 55+ helps in this way, too. We help clients learn how to emphasize recent work experiences and achievements, not just responsibilities, on your resume. Additionally, you’ll learn things like how to use storytelling during interviews and how to position yourself as an invaluable contributor to new teams.

In the meantime, you might have moments when searching for a job feels like a long and even disheartening process, especially if you haven’t searched for a job in a while. However, armed with the right guidance and the most up-to-date strategies for a successful job search, your next position might be closer than you imagine.

So, don’t wait! Reach out today by calling 215-832-0878 or by contacting Career Solutions for 55+. There’s no time like the present to re-enter the workforce or discover a more fulfilling and rewarding career path than your current one. We are here, ready, and excited to support you on this journey!

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