Moving Forward Together: Navigating the Sea of Opportunities
Conference Programs:
Wednesday, June 11, 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
New Member Orientation
Catherine Neiner, Agnes Scott College
All new members are encouraged to attend this session. Come learn about GACE and find out how you can make the most out of your membership. GACE is one of the strongest state organizations of its kind so please take this opportunity to learn how your involvement can make it even stronger. Meet board members and committee chairs and find out where you can best support GACE!
About the presenter:
Catherine Neiner is Director of Career Planning at Agnes Scott College . She is currently serving as President of GACE.
Wednesday, June 11, 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Money Talks or the Student Walks
Dr. Linda Mullen and Dr. Dena Hale, Georgia Southern University
The perceptions of various job attributes and recruiter characteristics as reported from a sample of business students are examined in this study. A surfeit of research is available regarding the typical framework that businesses seek when hiring for professional positions within their organizations.. Unfortunately, only sporadic research is available regarding the perceptions of new recruits during their initial interview experience. This work replicates a similar study conducted over twenty years ago by Scott, Pavlock and Lathan. Here we explore graduating students' perceptions of desirable job attributes and recruiters' characters and examine changes that have occurred. Today's university students appear more interested in the monetary rewards of their future careers than students did twenty-two years earlier. The implications of these findings for recruitment and career selection are reported with suggestions for future research .
About the presenters:
Linda Mullen is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Georgia Southern University and one of the organizers of the school's Sales and Sales Management Center . She received her PhD at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her research interests are sales and sales management, pedagogy issues and ethics.
Dena Hale is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Georgia Southern University. Her teaching interests include Sales and Services Marketing. Her research interests focus on student/employer convergence, age cohort studies, and self-efficacy.
Wednesday, June 11, 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Casting Our Nets Wider: Career Services Providing Graduate School Search Assistance
Dr. Steve Brown, Mercer University and Dr. Angelyn Hayes , Clayton State University
More students are expressing an interest in attending graduate school immediately after graduation. But do they need to pursue graduate studies? How can Career Services Offices help them decide? If the decision is “yes,” how do offices become a resource in providing students guidance and information about the graduate school application process, thus expanding their services to another population on campus? The session will include discussion about which services are appropriate for our offices to provide. Participants will receive resources to assist them and will share their own ideas about best practices and challenges in providing these services.
About the presenters:
Steve has served as the Director of Career Services at Mercer University in Macon since 1999. He enjoys assisting students with exploring their career paths to include choosing a major, pursuing full-time entry level work, or attending graduate school.
Angelyn is the Director of Career Services at Clayton State University . After a number of years working exclusively with experiential learning, she returned to Career Services in 2004. Angelyn enjoys leading an office of three outstanding professionals and helping to implement their creative ideas.
Wednesday, June 11, 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Operating as Islands
Karen McGrath, Enterprise Rent A Car and Charlene Leach , Mercer University
The career fair business is heating up to be a competitive venture for colleges and universities. Obviously, a well run event helps with budgeting, increased job placement for your students and exposure to countless employers who are challenged with a shrinking labor market. But, are the 5 plus Career Fairs your school promotes each semester also hurting you and fracturing employer relations that you have spent years cultivating?
Come join us for a lively panel discussion on this increasingly difficult challenge facing colleges and employers.
About the presenters:
Karen McGrath is currently a Regional Recruiting Manager with Enterprise Rent A Car. She has been with Enterprise 11 years in various Management roles and has earned her PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification. She is an active member of the Georgia Association of Colleges and Employers and has held previous leadership positions within the organization, including former President. She participates in a various professional development activities including panel discussions on recruitment strategies, training employees on promotional/interviewing techniques and is an active member of the Atlanta Diversity team. Karen attended Radford University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She also played and coached college soccer at her alma mater, the University of Maryland and the University of Alabama .
Charlene Leach has been working in Career Services at Mercer University for 19 years and is currently serving as Associate Director. She holds an undergraduate degree from Georgia College and a graduate degree from Mercer University . A past president of GACE, she is currently serving on the GACE Board of Directors as Archivist/Historian.
Wednesday, June 11, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Motivating Staff Performance
Manny Contomanolis
In today's demanding work environment career services staff need to be fully engaged in order to achieve the challenging goals and objectives of our operations. This session will explore ways in which career services offices can create and nurture a motivating environment to energize and engage office staff.
About the presenter:
Manny Contomanolis has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of career services and is currently the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Career Services and Director of the Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester , New York . Manny is extremely active in the professional community through board service and as a consultant and workshop presenter. He is currently serving as President Elect for the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), is a member of a number of career services national benchmarking groups and serves on the faculty of the NACE Management Leadership Institute and the Career Services Institute – East. Manny has a Bachelor's degree in history from the State University of New York College at Cortland, a Master's degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, a graduate certificate in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University and a PhD in educational leadership and policy from the University of Buffalo.
Wednesday, June 11, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
The REAL Advantages of Technical Colleges
Ave Miller and Katina Dixon, Gwinnett Technical College
Employers' value knowledge, skills and experience to meet the demands of the workforce. Guided by the principles of the Department of Technical and Adult Education—Customer Focus, Partnership with Businesses and Industries and a Commitment to Quality; the Systems 34 technical colleges are the center of the State economic development, providing careers to Georgia's citizens and guarantees success for Georgia's future.
Those attending the workshop will be provided with an overview of the broad range of ways by which private businesses and, public organizations can join strategically with technical college systems to strengthen relationship.
Topics covered will include:
R elevant knowledge
E thics count
A ll generations
L ifelong learning
About the presenters:
Ave is the Director of Career Services at Gwinnett Technical College . She also creates innovative partnership with employers and faculty to meet the career needs of students.
Ave has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a MBA. She is also a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator.
Katina Dixon is the Job Placement Coordinator at Gwinnett Technical College . She has been a Senior Recruiting Consultant for over 10 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Career Services as she develops relationships with business leaders and assist students and alumni with placement.
Wednesday, June 11, 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Navigating the 21 st Century to Meet the Demand of Colleges and Employers
Dr. Kimberly Mullen and Dr. Gina Sheeks, Columbus State University
Recent report findings suggest that students are not prepared to compete in a global economy. The presenters discuss the critical skills students lack in the 21 st century, and provide best practices on infusing 21 st century skills into higher education. These practices include what hiring managers observe as they hire new graduates, and what skills they would like incorporated in higher education curriculum and programs. This session also includes tools and strategies in maximizing economic development knowledge along with partnerships to provide applied learning opportunities such as internships cooperative education and volunteering. Finally, program attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, thus building upon the information presented.
About the presenters:
Dr. Kimberly Mullen is the director of Columbus State University 's Career Center . Before coming to CSU, she was president of a non-profit organization and a faculty member, teaching political science and business. She has eight years of experience in Human Resources and corporate leadership and training.
Dr. Gina Sheeks is Columbus State University 's Vice President for Student Affairs. She worked in the corporate world before moving to Columbus State where she is a tenured associate professor of communication and has led a variety of departments on campus, including Continuing Education, the Career Center and the Communication Department. She was named vice president in 2007.
Thursday, June 12, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
LinkedIn for Students and Business Professionals
Otis Collier, Collier Management Services
Most people make new contacts and maintain business relationships
the same way it was done 50 years ago – with phone calls, letters, and
face to face meetings. However, today's technologically advanced
student / professional can expand and leverage their business
networks virtually using simple online tools.
One such tool is LinkedIn. It is regarded as the Gold standard in
professional networking. It is perhaps the biggest gathering of
professionals and entrepreneurs we have seen at a global level. It
offers zero restriction to anyone wanting to tap into the business
opportunities it potentially offers. It is like a world-wide chamber of
commerce that is freely open for anyone to join.
About the presenter:
Otis Collier is a seasoned Certified Internet Recruitment Trainer with hands on experience in the areas of internet and diversity recruiting, candidate sourcing, and core recruitment skills training. He has fifteen years of experience with military and civilian recruiting and is considered one of the country's top experts in e-recruiting.
Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Intrapreneurship on the Job
Otis Collier, Collier Management Services
Intrapreneurial is a word rarely used and an activity seldom practiced.
Closely related to the word entrepreneurial, it is the activity of
individuals who take direct responsibility for turning an idea into a
profitable finished product through assertive risk taking and
innovation. The difference between them and entrepreneurs is that
they do so while operating within the confines of an organization.
A few companies have come to recognize the importance of fostering
the intrapreneurial spirit. As a side-effect, they have gone on to grow
into successful mammoth size companies that have continuously
produced some of the best and most popular products found in the
market place. They have recognized the competitive edge gained from
having employees who think, act, and work like entrepreneurs.
Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Let's Play Jeopardy
Melanie Wroblewski, Enterprise Rent A Car
Alex Trebek move on over because here comes Jeopardy---GACE style! Want to learn a little more about hiring trends, technology you can use for recruitment, legal compliance and GACE in general then come on and join this interactive breakout. Come prepared to participate, learn, and have fun while doing it!
About the presenter:
Melanie Wroblewski has worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for the last 6 years and is currently the Regional Recruiting Supervisor. She is a graduate of West Chester University , is a member of GACE/AACE and serves as a Mentor Chair for Phi Sigma Sigma International Fraternity.
Thursday, June 12, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Navigating the Federal Application Process
Christine Scott, Internal Revenue Service
The Federal Application process is complex and most people do not understand it---------candidates or career service staff. Many people do not understand how to apply for positions with the Federal Government or when and how to follow-up. Is USAJOBS the only way to apply for jobs with the Federal Government? Are there other application avenues to pursue? What are KSAs? This seminar will arm you with the tools to explain the application process to your clients as well as assist them in finding a fulfilling career in Public Service.
About the presenter:
Chris is a Corporate Recruiter for Internal Revenue Service. She has been employed by IRS for 23 years and prior to serving as a Recruiter she had served in several positions in Examination and Disclosure. Chris enjoys assisting candidates in finding positions that have a great work-life balance!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Personal Branding Tactics for The Wide-Awake Professional: How to Increase Your Professional Visibility and Credibility
Martin Yate CPC, career coach and NY Times bestseller
A rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with Martin Yate CPC, the NY Times best-selling career management author of the Knock em Dead books, and an internationally recognized authority on making a success of your working life.
Learn how to implement the professional visibility and credibility strategies that will get you promoted, recruited, in print, behind the podium and in the media. After participating, you will be able to gain access to the inner circle that exists within every company, and with it the improved opportunities for recognition, reward and promotion; you will be able to apply strategies and tactics for personal branding that will increase your visibility and credibility throughout your profession and perhaps the world. Applying the knowledge from this session will help you more successfully navigate the twists and turns of a volatile half-century professional work life. Presenter: Martin Yate CPC, career coach and NY Times bestseller of the Knock em Dead career management books.
About the presenter:
Martin Yate is globally acknowledged thought leader on the nuts and bolts of career management and persoanl branding. Millions have benefited from his practical insights. In career management for over thirty years, he started his professional life as a Silicon Valley headhunter; has been head of HR for Bell Industries Computer Memory Division, and Director of T & D for Dunhill, a major employment services company. He is now the NY Times bestselling career management author of Knock 'Em Dead The Ultimate Job Search Guide.
