Tag: Increase Your Employability

For policy wonks like me, 2016 is off to an exciting start. Congress wrapped up 2015 without shutting down the government, a threat of falling off a “fiscal cliff” is no longer looming, and there is a new speaker of the House. Of course this year there is a presidential election and a number of lawmakers have announced their retirements at the end of this congressional session, providing an opportunity for Goodwill® advocates to make new connections with policymakers.

READ MORE from Get to Know Goodwill's® Legislative Priorities and Become an Advocate

Here are some career and financial advice articles published this month—read each piece, share your thoughts, and join GoodProspects to take advantage of everything at Goodwill’s online career navigation portal!

READ MORE from Career and Financial Advice for December 2015

The Aspen Institute’s Workforce Strategies Initiatives (AspenWSI) and Achieving the Dream recently released a new case study, titled“Working Together, Making a Difference”, which highlights the partnership between Goodwill Industries of the Valleys (Roanoke) and Virginia Western Community College. The partnership is part of the Courses to Employment project.

READ MORE from Roanoke Goodwill Featured in National Publication for Workforce Development

Lacking an education isn’t a crime, and it surely shouldn’t result in a prison sentence. Yet, research finds that 70 percent of the U.S. prison population can’t read. They are among the 32 million people (or 14 percent of the U.S. population) that read below a basic level. This week is American Education Week, and Goodwill® understands the important connection between employment and education. People who lack education face a grim future and bleak job prospects. Meanwhile, employers seek workers that have the skills to perform the technical jobs of today and the aptitude to learn the increasingly technical jobs of tomorrow.

READ MORE from When Did Illiteracy Become a Crime?

Like millions of workers, my day starts with a commute. While the mere mention of the word, “commute” is enough to make most workers groan, my ride is a daily highlight because it takes me past a list of must-see Washington, DC sites, starting with the Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial, and continuing with Arlington National Cemetery. Whether it’s Veterans Day, Memorial Day or any other day of the year, as my thoughts drift from the wife and kids to my daily to-do list, these adjacent memorials never fail to give purpose to my day by reminding me of the sacrifices made, and being made, by people who have served in the armed forces and their families.

READ MORE from Reflections from a Veterans Day Commute

Justin Hon was able to use his self-presentation skills in conjunction with additional job training from Goodwill Industries of Southern Oregon (Medford) to find work after facing challenges related to his criminal history. As a result of his job placement, he is now able to be more involved in the lives of his children. Read more and watch as he shares his journey to self-sufficiency.

READ MORE from My Story: Justin Hon

The Goodwill blog's career and financial advice posts have all moved to GoodProspects®, but you can still get great advice on your job search, learn about career fields and connect with virtual career mentors. Here are some recent articles published this month—read each piece, share your thoughts, and join GoodProspects to take advantage of everything at Goodwill's online career navigation portal!

READ MORE from The Latest Career and Financial Advice

Last week, recent Emmy winner and “Trainwreck” star Amy Schumer collaborated with Goodwill Southern California (Los Angeles) to empower women through fashion. In conjunction with the comedian’s Style Fund, LA Goodwill job seekers were offered the opportunity to attend the Style Empowerment Workshop. Thirty participants enjoyed a morning of celebration and transformation with fashion stylists, and hair and make-up professionals. Each guest took home a complimentary professionally styled outfit and accessories and a new found confidence – to help them tackle the working world and create a brighter pathway to success for themselves and their families.

READ MORE from Comedian Amy Schumer Joins LA Goodwill for Women’s Workshop

Having a disability doesn’t mean that you can’t also have a successful, fulfilling career. Programs, including accommodation and rehabilitation, exist to help you get back on the job or make the most of the job you have. Learn more about how to determine which career fits you and how you can succeed in it.

READ MORE from Career Success for Individuals with Disabilities

I visited the Hudson County Jail in northern New Jersey. Twenty years later, I can still vividly remember the rhythmic sound of sturdy locks opening, followed by heavy doors slamming shut, and then the locks swinging back home. It was a deafening and consistent reminder to the residents of that institution that they were “inmates” who were very, very bad.

READ MORE from Urge Congress to Support the Second Chance Reauthorization Act