Career Center Wins National Award

We are officially an “Exemplary Career Center”!

We are proud to announce that the EBRPL Career Center was awarded the “Exemplary Career Center” award at the National Career Development Association’s 2019 National Conference in Houston this summer.

The Career Center was nominated by career counseling colleagues from LSU and BRCC and endorsed by a number of former clients who added their testimonials to the nomination. A big thank you to our nominators and supporters.

We were recognized for the large variety of services which our program offers, including one-on-one services (such as career counseling or mock interview), groups (such as job club), a broad seminar program, and our community outreach. Last but not least, the quality of our work was deemed outstanding, as evidenced by our numerous testimonials.

If you want to learn more about what the Career Center offers, please read our FAQs. If you are interested in taking advantage of any of our services, give us a call at 225-231-3733.

Written by Anne Nowak

Freshman Year for Free™

Do you want to get the equivalent of a year of college for free?

This might just be possible through the relatively new and innovative non-profit organization Modern States Education Alliance. Modern States is not a college and does not grant college credit directly. Instead they are taking advantage of the college credit by exam system, such as Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). https://modernstates.org/freshman-year-free/

how it works

Modern States partnered with top universities and created online courses that prepare students for the AP and CLEP exams. The online courses claim to teach in a few weeks what the same college courses would take one or two semesters to achieve. These online classes are basically test prep courses. However, it is entirely free to register and take them. After completing a class it is then up to the student to register for and take the respective AP or CLEP exam on their own. Through a voucher system Modern States will reimburse the exam fees. This way it is possible to take a year’s worth of college credit entirely for free. Take a look https://modernstates.org/about-us/who-we-are/

a word of caution

Modern States is open about not every college accepting AP and CLEP credits. They include a feature on the website where you can check which university accepts those credits, and, in the case of AP, what the minimum acceptable score is. https://modernstates.org/affiliated-universities/universities/  In any case it is recommended that you check with your college of choice directly also. While some colleges do accept CLEP and AP, they might be limiting the number of credits they are willing to honor. Or they might accept AP/CLEP for Biology but not for Calculus for example. The website will not go into such detail for each institution.

advantages

Regardless of the above concerns, this is a legitimate way for many students to start working towards a college degree. It can be useful to current high school students or recent grads, as well as adults who are looking to start college for the first time or continue their previously interrupted studies. Current college students who wish to get through their degree faster than the normal four years could benefit from this initiative as well.

If you are unsure where your college or career path will take you, the Career Center can help. You can call us at 225-231-3733 or visit in person at 7711 Goodwood Blvd. We also have a number of CLEP study guides available for checkout.

Written by Anne Nowak

Cool Careers Kick Off!

The Career Center’s Cool Careers Summer Series is a set of weekly career exploration seminars. Its goal is to expose teens and young adults to different career options so they can determine what they’d like to do for a living. Each free seminar features guest speakers who are experts in the chosen field. Our 3rd annual series kicks off tomorrow! Here is the complete schedule:

May 29, Finding and Getting College Scholarships: College is getting more expensive by the year. The good news is, there are hundreds of scholarships out there that can help you pay for college without getting expensive loans.  Come and learn how and where to research the right scholarships for you and how to successfully apply to get them. Our guest presenter for this session is academic counselor Meagan Davenport.

June 5, Careers in Louisiana Film, Entertainment, and Digital Media Industries: Louisiana consistently outperforms the South and the U.S. in creating jobs and economic opportunities for its citizens. Louisiana Economic Development is the leader in job creation and development. Chris Stelly, Executive Group Director of Entertainment & Digital Media, will be here to explain the many opportunities that available in these creative mediums.

June 12, Careers in Aviation and High-Paying Skilled Trades: Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance’s Connie Fabre will inform us which industries are in-demand and the paths one can take to become a skilled tradesperson.  Learn all about high-paying jobs which require less than a year of formal education. Baton Rouge Community College’s Aviation Department will share information regarding the many rewarding, in-demand and well paid careers available within the Industrial Field such as Airframe Mechanics, Powerplant Mechanics, and Aviation Maintenance.

June 19, Careers in Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation: We welcome Claire Shepard from Monroe’s Louisiana Delta Community College’s Forensic Science and Technology program. This intriguing program offers an exciting look into crime scene investigations and the technology used to solve mysteries, reconstruct crime scenes, analyze various incidents and document evidence as presented in a case file.

June 26, Careers in Animal Science: A favorite of the Cool Careers Series, Louisiana State University’s Veterinary School wildlife program will be here.  Several veterinarians will give an overview of the many career opportunities caring for animals and introduce us to some birds of prey they are currently caring for.

July 10, Careers in Private Investigation and Criminal Justice: We welcome Bossier Parish Community College’s Dan Cain, with the Criminal Justice program. Professor Cain will inform us about the varied paths to success in this high demand field, including all the things you can do with a criminal justice degree besides police work.  Expect some great success stories from this speaker. Chris McCullough, a private investigator, will share his story of conducting background investigations for the Federal Government.

July 17, Careers in Broadcasting and Video Production: Stuart Poulton, CEO of Stuart Poulton Video Production Company, is a dynamic and innovative entrepreneur who creates video and other digital content that advertising agencies, businesses, and entrepreneurs use to market brands, products, and ideas. He will share his experiences in the exciting industry of video production and its related fields such as lighting, audio, videography, and editing. LaTangela Sherman, a native Baton Rougian, the Production Director of Cumulus Media BR, and leading on-air personality for WEMX-FM, will be here to share with us how she began her radio career as a teenager and as the host of a teen talk show.

You can register for any of our Cool Careers programs here or by calling 225-231-3733.

Written by Cynthia Payton

EmployBR Educational Scholarship

If you’ve been thinking of going back to school in order to further your career, but you can’t quite afford it, this program may be perfect for you! EmployBR, in cooperation with the local Workforce Development Area 21, is providing educational scholarships.

What kinds of programs are covered?

  • Bachelor’s Degrees in nursing, engineering, elementary education, and speech pathology
  • Certificates in business and paralegal studies from LSU
  • Trade School Certifications in fields including medical, computers, and CDL
  • Skilled Craft Training through Baton Rouge Community College Continuing Education
  • Follow the link for the complete list

how do i apply?

  • Complete the EmployBR Scholarship Application.
  • To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • Completed applications must be submitted to EmployBR no later than ten (10) business days before training is scheduled to begin and not more than 30 days prior to it beginning.
  • You will also have to apply for Federal Financial Aid.
  • Submission does NOT guarantee scholarship award.

how do i contact employbr?

  • 4523 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70505 ; (225) 358-4579
  • 1991 Wooddale Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 ; (225) 925-4312
  • 1520 Thomas H. Delpit Drive; Baton Rouge, LA 70802; 389-8901
  • Or visit their website: http://employbr.businesscatalyst.com/home

Written by Cynthia Payton

2020 Census Hiring Has Begun!

Hiring for the upcoming 2020 Us Census has recently kicked off for the Baton Rouge, LA area. These are temporary but lucrative jobs.

How do I apply?

Information and applications are available at these two websites:

  • https://2020census.gov/jobs This website has the best overview and information about the 2020 Census, jobs associated with it, and hiring procedures. You can apply on this site.
  • www.usajobs.gov Search the job listings, using “census” as your keyword and “Baton Rouge, LA” as your location.  You will see the list of positions that are currently open. You can apply on this site. The list changes frequently, so you want to keep checking.

What kinds of jobs are available?

All local positions for the 2020 Census positions are temporary and will last for a maximum of two years! Since there are fluctuations in work volume, many of those positions also do not have a set number of hours per week associated with them. This is called a “mixed tour work schedule” and means that an employee can be switched from full-time to part-time to intermittent work schedules.

Job that are currently listed on www.usajobs.gov for Baton Rouge are:
Lead Census Field Manager (closing 10/15/2018)
Information Technology Manager (closing 10/19/2018)
Administrative Manager (closing 10/15/2018)

Eventually there will be more positions such as recruiter, recruiting assistant, office operations supervisor, census taker, and some clerical positions. Keep checking the websites often to be aware of new positions posted and closing dates.

The first jobs will start in late 2018/early 2019. Those are mainly the higher level management/supervisory positions as well as the recruiters who are tasked with starting up the local offices and subsequently recruiting the census takers and other staff. Most census takers will be hired in the spring and summer of 2019. For more info check here: https://2020census.gov/jobs/job-details.html#faqs

What are the qualifications?

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a valid Social Security number.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Have a valid email address.
  • Complete an application and answer assessment questions. (Some assessment questions are available in Spanish. However, an English proficiency test may also be required.)
  • Be registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption, if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959.
  • Pass a Census-performed criminal background check and a review of criminal records, including fingerprinting.
  • Commit to completing training.
  • Be available to work flexible hours, which can include days, evenings, and/or weekends.
  • Have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s license, unless public transportation is readily available.
  • Have access to a computer with internet and an email account (to complete training).

Written by Anne Nowak

 

New IT learning and job opportunity in Baton Rouge

New IT learning and job opportunity in Baton Rouge

Become a Cybersecurity Analyst in just 15 months, at no cost to you. You will get paid while you train through this new apprenticeship opportunity sponsored by NexusLA and Apprenti.

Cybersecurity Analysts are in high demand in our area and companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, EATEL, TraceSecurity, and General Informatics have already agreed to hire apprentices through this program (Apprenti). Apprenti is a new registered apprenticeship program to offer you a path and plan into the tech industry.

How it works

  • Take the online assessment (https://apprenticareers.org/locations/louisiana/) and rank high enough to be invited to interview with staff. (If you want to be part of the first cohort you need to take the assessment before the end of October.)
  • If you are selected, you’ll be placed into 3 months of full-time technical training (this period is unpaid!)
  • Once you complete training, you will transition to paid on-the-job-training with companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, EATEL, TraceSecurity, and General Informatics, for one year
  • After graduating from your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity and experience to qualify to be retained by your hiring company

Getting started

You need to be over 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent and eligible to work in the U.S. (you do not need to be a U.S. citizen).  Take the test at https://apprenticareers.org/locations/louisiana/ and see if you make it to the next round. If you don’t succeed the first time around, you can retake the test 3 more times.

Your career in Tech awaits you

Apprenti Louisiana gets you trained and certified as a tech hire right here in Louisiana. All you have to do is complete the apprenticeship program and you are on your way to a thriving career in technology. For more info: https://apprenticareers.org/locations/louisiana/

Written by Anne Nowak

Career Pathways Program

Have you ever considered going back to school, but you’re afraid of the cost? Are you at a dead end in your career and in need of new skills to find better jobs? If you’d like to go back to school in order to learn a valuable new trade, the Career Pathways Program can help you.

Who’s doing it?

The Career Pathways Program is sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development, a department of the Urban League of Louisiana, which is the local chapter of the nonprofit National Urban League.

What help do they offer?

  • Tuition assistance towards an associate’s degree or vocational certification from Baton Rouge Community College or a local accredited vocational school.
  • Need-based financial assistance with paying utilities, rent, etc., while you go to school.
  • Meetings with a personal case manager to help you determine your career path and monitor your progress during the schooling.
  • In-depth job skills training on subjects like resume writing and job interviews to help you find a job in your new field once you graduate.

What kinds of degrees do they help with?

The program is only available for degrees/certifications in high-demand industries, including:

  • Healthcare
  • Petrochemical
  • Automotive
  • Computer & Information Technology
  • Construction
  • Skilled Trade (welder, pipefitter, etc.)

How do I qualify?

The Baton Rouge office of the Urban League is currently accepting applicants. To register, call (225) 439-0507 or visit them at 445 N. 12th St. in downtown Baton Rouge. You will need to provide the following documentation: a state-issued ID, your Social Security card, your birth certificate, proof of residence, and proof of income. You will also be required to take a TABE assessment. You must also agree to complete 40 hours of skills training at the Urban League office.

Written by Lynnette Lee

Success Story: Suzanne

Meet Suzanne, a former Career Center client who was kind enough to share the story of her successful experience with us.

Suzanne came to the Career Center about a year ago, shortly after leaving her job as an office manager for a local grocery store. Suzanne had been with the same company for many years, working her way up through increasingly higher-level positions, so she had little experience with job searching and felt some anxiety about the process. As she put it, “The thought of updating my resume scared the bejeezus out of me. I’m not good at words. I really didn’t know what to say.”

Suzanne came to the Career Center, and staff worked with her on updating her resume. We began by discussing her situation and helping her choose one of our free downloadable resume templates. We discussed her previous work experience and asked questions to discover her best and most relevant accomplishments. Next, we assisted with finding eloquent ways to describe Suzanne’s work history and skills. Finally, we proofread the document for grammatical and formatting errors. Suzanne reflected positively on the experience, saying, “By the end of the process, I looked good on paper. And the whole thing was not nearly as scary or challenging as I’d thought it would be.”

Suzanne immediately used her new resume to apply for several positions online. Two days later, she was contacted by a recruiter to set up a job interview. It was for a position as a customer service representative with a medical equipment company. Suzanne went in for an interview the next day and was offered the job the following week. Later, Suzanne spoke again with the recruiter, who confided that he had found her resume very impressive.

Suzanne feels extremely happy in her new employment and is grateful to the Career Center for its assistance. In her own words, “I’ve been at this new job for a year now, and I absolutely love it — it’s a great place to work. And I know that if it wasn’t for the Career Center, I would have been lost and confused and would never have gotten a new job so quickly.”

Written by Lynnette Lee.