Have some extra time? Find the Volunteer Center…

For the fortunate ones of us, work or school is enough to keep us busy on a daily basis.  For many of us though, due to the ever increasing market insecurity, we may have only part-time work or no job at all.  While you may be out job searching or enhancing your career options with higher education, there is a constructive activity and networking opportunity that you may not have already considered…

Volunteering to aid both your community, upgrade your resume and the value of contacts you will make within your community.

Performing volunteer work, depending on the depth of the experience, may enhance your resume if you don’t have much work experience.  This is a common concern of high school and college students who feel overwhelmed by the resume creation process, feeling that they do not have much to put down in terms of work experience.  It is also a great opportunity if you are currently out of work and have extra time.   Taking on a charitable activity, or performing your regular job function for free in some way shows both strong initiative and compassion. 

Volunteering opportunities, depending on their level of professionalism and relation to the job you are applying for, may be addition to a somewhat short resume.  Additionally, you may list the accomplishments and tasks performed in the volunteer position much like you would for past work experience on a resume.

In addition to resume building advantages, building contacts is essential when knowing what work opportunities are available to you locally.  By aiding your community with various projects ranging from food pantry help, building maintenance, tutoring, special event help, and even yard work you are giving yourself the chance to meet new people whom you will volunteer with that may have important connections that you didn’t realize.

Recently, the United Way of Rock River Valley has upgraded their Volunteer Center with a new webpage and method of coordinating volunteers with charitable opportunities within the community.  If you have ever considered volunteer work as a meaningful and even career enhancing option, the Volunteer Center is an excellent and easy-to-use resource at your fingertips.  Anyone may register at their website www.wevolunteer.org  and begin searching volunteering opportunities easily; and can also be contacted at 815.986.4806.  You may search by days of the week, times of day, types of opportunities and particular organizations that may fit your desired goal and availability. 

Please take advantage of this resource as it is an excellent way to raise awareness not only of the needs of the community, but to enhance your career and character goals as well…

Jenna Redline

 

College/ University: Illinois State University
Degree:  Journalism      
Major: Visual Communications, Minors in Fashion and Public Relations
Graduation date:  May 2009 

What are your career goals?
To obtain a job in public relations or fashion promotions. Specifically, my ideal job would be at a public relations agency specializing in brand marketing, or working as a publicist for  a fashion magazine. I also hope to get my masters in communications within the next five years, and  I want to become a manager of an internship program. 

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?
In college I was a photographer for my school newspaper and a member of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). As soon as I get a full-time position I’m going to join Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Chicago Fashion Foundation. 

Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Rockford.

 What do you like about the Rockford Area?
The people are the best part of Rockford.  I have me a lot of really talented and friendly people in this area.  As far as places, I like Starlight Theater, Midway Village, Beef-A-Roo, Edward’s Apple Orchard,  and all of the different places to shop.

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?
I once got to be an extra in the movie The Breakup with my sisters. 

What do you do for fun?
Mostly hang out with friends! Right now I am living in Florida and doing an internship at Walt Disney World. During my spare time I enjoy going to the parks and exploring Orlando. I also love traveling, shopping, meeting new people, and photography.

What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?
I wish there were more places for college students and young adults to hang out.

What internships have you had and what did you learn? 
I’ve worked at WRHL radio station, Hamilton Sundstrand, ISU’s Marketing and Communications Department, Boston Hannah International Publishing Company, Objets D’ Envy (Fashion Jewelry), Special Olympics, and now Walt Disney World. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to be proactive about your career. The best thing I’ve done for myself  has been getting involved, networking, and getting as much experience as a I could. Each internship has taught me valuable and transferrable skills not only within my career but also about life in general.

Featured Grad: Erin Feldt

Erin Feldt
Drake University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Major: Marketing and Management
Graduation date: May 2009

What are your career goals?
Currently, I would like to find an entry-level position in a Rockford marketing communications firm. My long term career goal is to own a strategic marketing communications firm with a focus on creative marketing.

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?
I just completed a busy four years at Drake as a member of the American Marketing Association. As a sorority member of Kappa Alpha Theta, I especially enjoyed my position as social chair. Since returning to Rockford, I started volunteering in the marketing department at Midway Village Museum.

Where are you from originally?
Rockford, Illinois!

What do you like about the Rockford Area?
I love the great golf courses that Rockford has to offer and look forward to going to Waterfront every year.

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?
I will be an Atlanta Braves fan forever!

What do you do for fun?
I love to golf, work out, and hang out with my friends and family.

What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?
I wish that Rockford’s downtown area had more entertainment options for the 20 – 30 age group.

Featured Grad: Becki Meyer

 

Becki Meyer
Western Illinois University
BA Communication
Graduation date: December 2008

What are your career goals?
To be involved with a growth oriented company in which I can be an asset to their organization.

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?
Full-time mother and wife!

Where are you from originally?
Jacksonville, IL.

What do you like about the Rockford Area?
I like the feel of a city/small town wrapped into one. The fast pace is certainly here vs. where I lived before. It makes it exciting!

What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?
That I went back to school after our daughter was born and commuted from Rockford to Western Illinois University.
What do you do for fun?
Watch my 2 year old play (makes for a humerous time). Also spend time with family and friends.

What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?
Make it more people friendly; as far as resources and accessibility.

Featured Grad: Michael Camacho

Michael Jason Camacho

Rockford College    

Bachelors in Science

Major: Business Management Studies

Graduation date: 08/2008

 What are your career goals?

My career mission is to develop into an outstanding manager in my work and to contribute to helping people succeed personally and professionally.

 What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?

Rockford Chamber of Commerce: Rockford Young Professionals Network

 Where are you from originally?

 Rockton, IL

 What do you like about the Rockford Area?

 The people.

 What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?

That I have spend a week in the Colorado rockies camping and hiking.

 What do you do for fun?

 Play guitar. Hang out with my family and friends.

 What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?

The city needs to promote educational attainment beyond high school.

Featured Grad: Nathan Grondzki

Nathan Grondzki

Northern Illinois University

Bachelor of Science

Business Administration

Graduation date: December 2007

  What are your career goals?

I would like to find a full-time job in the area of Human Resources, Operations, or Marketing that allows me to work with people.  I would like to work in the sports industry, if possible.  I am currently interning with Lowe Entertainment in Rockford, the group that runs the Rockford Thunder and the Rock River Raptors, in the marketing, promotions, and game day operations area.

 Where are you from originally?

I have lived in the Rockford area my whole life.

 What do you like about the Rockford Area?

The thing I like about Rockford is the number  and the quality of the sports teams and activities that are affordable and family friendly. 

 What do you do for fun?

I enjoy watching White Sox and Packers games in my free time.  I also like to stay current with what is going on in the world.

 What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?

I would like to change the mentality in the Rockford area.  Rockford needs to become a city of action instead of studies and then put the idea/plan aside.  The area has great potential but no one seems to want to take advantage of this and do something.  The other thing I would fix is the  parking situation  downtown.

Featured Grad: Sha’Donna Woods

 

Name:  Sha’Donna A. Woods

College/ University: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree: Bachelor of Arts

Major: English

Graduation date: May 11, 2008

 What are your career goals?

I would like to put my creativity and writing skills to good use within the advertising field. Eventually I do wish to pursue a Ph.D. and teach at the university level.

What types of activities, groups, clubs, boards are you active in?

I hope to get involved with Northwest Community Center. They offer free computer classes and GED tutoring which I feel are invaluable services to local community members.

 Where are you from originally?

I was born in Chicago but moved to Rockford when I was ten years old.

What do you like about the Rockford Area?

 We have really nice parks and bike paths.

 What is something that people are surprised to learn about you?

I like archery and I’m actually quite good at it.

What do you do for fun?

I like to spend time with close friends and family. I also write on my blog whenever possible: mymindisopentakealook.blogspot.com

 What do you wish you could change about the Rockford Area?

I wish we had a more convenient public transportation system, not only within the city, but to cities like Chicago and Madison as well.