Aaron’s resume was clouded by a criminal past, a factor that holds many people back from advancing their career. But with some help from a career training program in Rochester, he learned valuable asbestos remediation skills which landed him a part-time job. That part-time job, executed well, eventually became a full-time job with benefits.
Aaron says: ‘At some point, it must be up to you to be driven to want to get work, and that’s the way I was. I was driven, I was determined, and now I’ve become a union member, so I’m feeling real great about that.’ | • Watch Video
Looking to train for a new career, get your GED, take a language course, learn English, update your computer skills or learn a skilled trade? Monroe County BOCES, Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES and/or Genesee Valley Educational Partnership can help. In addition, the Center for Workforce Development offers training courses and part-time classes that may be of assistance to you.
Amy has been in the financial industry for the past fourteen years, and was laid off from her previous job in April of 2009. After being unemployed for nine months, she’s now employed at an investment firm doing work that is very similar to what she has done in the past. In the time that she was on the job market, Amy applied for about 85 to 90 positions.
Amy says: ‘I’m glad to be back in the workforce.’ | • Watch Video
myBenefits is the fast and easy way to find out about many health and human services programs and how to apply for them, anytime and anywhere. The site is aimed at helping low income working families and individuals make ends meet. Programs include: food stamps, home energy assistance, earned income tax credits, child and dependent care credits, Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus and school lunch programs, among others.
An excellent resource for social service workers, you can request additional copies of New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) publications free of charge. Publications span a wide variety of topics, including WorkPays New York (Work Supports), child support, food stamps, tax credits, electronic benefits transfers, home energy and heating assistance and refugee and immigrant assistance.
After 18 years in her former job with a large company as an office manager, Bonnie has been unemployed since November 2009. Since that time, she has developed a survival routine. Every morning, she heads to her local One Stop Career Center, where she is learning new computer skills, then walks her dogs. Bonnie says: ‘Being outside and being with other people makes all the difference.’ | • Watch Video
Whether you are interested in English and math instruction, career and technical education, employment services or developing skills that can lead to employment, the Office of Adult and Career Education Services of the Rochester City School District is here to help.
The City of Rochester has compiled a list of employment resources, including Providing Real Incentive to Maintain Employment (PRIME). Click here for more information. The City of Rochester also provides a resource list for job searches and job training.
Additionally, the Urban League of Rochester operates a career training center that specializes in helping low-income individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Christine was a director of development and communications at a non-profit organization. The job was fulfilling, yet stressful to the point that it began having negative effects on her family life and her health. When Christine decided to leave her job, she had to let go of her idea of who she was. Now, she has embarked on a new path that allows her more time for what matters most.
Christine says: ‘I realized that it wasn’t worth it. What was important was my health, my happiness, my children.’ | • Watch Video
Cory is an economics major who is about to enter into his senior year in college. Over the summer, he is working at the New York State Department of Labor, and he knows that he is lucky to have a highly-coveted paid internship. Cory says: ‘I’m kind of looking for a little real-world experience in the economics field to give a little more substance to what I’m learning in college.’ | • Watch Video
In 2007, a motorcycle accident left Dave paralyzed from the waist down. With help from family, friends and VESID, Dave has rebuilt his life, returning to school to learn accounting and bookkeeping. Now, Dave works with his local One Stop Career Center, determined to go back to work part-time.
Dave says: ‘Once you go back as an adult, you look at school a lot differently than you do back when you’re a teenager. I ended up graduating that class with a 95 average… I was proud of myself.’ | • Watch Video
Delsey is a former research chemist who left the workplace to raise her family, picking up work as a substitute teacher over the years. Now, Delsey wants to return to full-time employment. She went to the Women’s Opportunity Center’s Business Office Training Program to improve her computer skills, which she considers critical to long-term employment in the modern workplace.
Delsey says: ‘Whenever anyone got a job, we’d ring a bell…We cheered each other on. It was very uplifting.’ | • Watch Video
If you are a newly-arrived or established resident refugee, or a member of the welfare-to-work population in the Rochester area, the Catholic Family Center of Rochester has over 25 years of experience with placing people like you in employment opportunities by removing barriers to employment and creating a pathway to permanent self-reliance. Learn more about their employment and loan services.
If you or someone you know is homeless in the Rochester area, Project ReDirect (a service of The Salvation Army) may be able to help. Project ReDirect helps individuals find a place to live and offers vocational counseling and employment training to help people maintain a steady job and keep their homes. Learn more about Project ReDirect’s support services, job placement services, employment preparation training, GED learning and support groups here.
Losing your job ranks among the highest causes of stress in a person’s life. We’ll introduce you to some women who have figured out how to cope with job loss in healthy ways, and we’ll hear solid advice from a licensed clinical social worker and a clinical psychologist. Plus, ‘Help Wanted’ discusses the importance of protecting your personal information with the usernames and passwords you select.
We introduce you to an experienced pharmaceutical engineer who has been searching for work in his crowded field. Also, some employers who are hiring discuss what they look for in a pool of job applicants. Plus, we explore the value of internships. In addition, learn how to apply for specific government positions by taking the civil service exam. Lastly, learn to avoid classified ad scams.
We introduce you to a man who served time for running an illegal drug operation but is now determined to find honest work to put food on the table for his two sons, as well as a man who was able to overcome his record and find stable work with the help of a career training program. Finding a job is particularly difficult for those with a criminal record, but as our experts attest, it is possible.
We introduce you to a woman who started her own business in the midst of a bad economy. Also, we explore employment strategies for aging individuals and age discrimination, as well as how to deal with downsizing constructively. Plus, we’ll delve into the importance of nurturing a positive, passionate corporate culture, and what small businesses can learn from the strategies of larger companies.
We’ll explore the journey of a New Yorker who is trying to turn his lack of success in the Internet dating scene into a successful new venture that is creating new contract work in our region. Also, we’ll offer some tips on starting one’s own business in a tough economy. In addition, we look at why hiring disabled workers can give some businesses a competitive advantage.
Meet an area business owner who took his last $350 and turned it into a multimillion dollar company. We’ll also introduce you to some entrepreneurs who haven’t let disabilities stand in their way. Plus, State Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner discusses tax credits for businesses that hire those who have been out of work. Also, we take a look at the benefits of attending job fairs.
We introduce you to two Upstate New York residents who are looking for full-time work with decent pay and benefits, and we’ll take a look at what they’re doing to stay afloat while they search. We’ll also discuss an important and effective approach to mastering one’s next job interview. Also, we’ll look at college graduates who are hoping that internship experience will lead to employment.
Many New Yorkers are returning to school to retrain for recession-proof jobs. We’ll discuss what qualifies individuals for jobs in growth industries with Emily Reilly of Global Foundries, representatives from Schenectady County Community College who are training students for tomorrow’s jobs, and Susan Birkhead of Samaritan Hospital Nursing School, who explores the current demand for nurses.
After getting divorced, Jennifer was left with a daughter to raise and a mountain of debt. We’ll explore how Jennifer straightened out her finances and repaired her credit score with the help of financial advisers. Also, we catch up with some professionals who are learning new skills in order to land a new job, and we’ll expose an Internet scam targeting those seeking unemployment insurance. Plus, we present some helpful tips for filling out an online job application.
Even with a law degree and additional experience in the military and the Peace Corps, Leslie is having trouble finding employment. We’ll find out what this former state attorney does to remain positive in a tough economy. Also, as tax season is upon us, we speak to professionals who can offer some helpful tips on how to get the most out of your taxes. Plus, we explore how green jobs may provide new employment opportunities now and in the years ahead.
The recession presents those who have recently graduated from college with a tough job market, and many are finding that a Bachelor’s degree isn’t yielding desirable employment. We’ll introduce you to one such graduate. Also, those seeking a career change may be interested in learning more about training opportunities. Plus, we’ll dissect a phishing scam targeting those who utilize online banking.
Meet a woman pursuing a third degree in hopes of landing a new job and a former chemist returning to work after raising her family. Our expert interview offers insight into an organization that helps women transition back into the workplace. Also, learn about how your local One Stop Career Center can help you. Plus, we’ll also go over resume format, and let you know how to avoid diploma scams.
RochesterWorks! is dedicated to developing a strong workforce in the Rochester area, offering two free, full-service Career Centers where job seekers are linked to available jobs, training opportunities to upgrade skills and career planning services and resources.
At age 21, Francis suffered a spinal cord injury, resulting in paralysis of her four limbs. Today, she is the Community Education Coordinator for Access to Independence. She says that disabled individuals make very good employees, because most are forced to become extremely adaptable and are creative when it comes to solving problems.
Francis says: ‘We know how to problem solve because we have to, just to get out of bed.’ | • Watch Video
If you are unemployed and between the ages of 18 and 24, and not currently attending school, you are eligible to work one-on-one with an Iroquois Health Center Coordinator to find a training program matching local employment needs. Read this brochure for contact information in order to get started.
