SPC Pathways to Success Blog has Migrated

This blog has migrated to a new page and is now the Internship & Career Connection. Please visit our new blog at http://www.spcollege.edu/internshipblog.

Once on the new blog, be sure to click “Subscribe” in the lower right-hand corner. You’ll receive career and workforce updates every time something posts to the Internship & Career Connection blog!

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Career Pathways Academy: One of many summer programs at SPC

The summer Career Pathways Academy offers incoming 10th and 11th grade high school students the opportunity to explore career education.

Start preparing to be competitive in tomorrow’s workforce by participating today!

Read more about Career Pathways Academy on the college’s website.

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Interested in a Career in Health Care?

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The Critical First Ten Minutes

The Critical First Ten Minutes

Did you know that an experienced interviewer can determine in the first ten minutes of an interview if you are a serious candidate for a job opening? It is true. That first ten minutes are critical. You may have the greatest resume in the world but remember, the resume is what gets you the interview. The interview is what gets you the job. Thus here are some tips to help you shine during that all-important first ten minutes.

1. Be on time for the interview. In fact, give yourself a little extra travel time so that you can arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. You may want to consider other factors when you plan your travel for the interview such as potential traffic, train crossings, bad weather delays, and the potential for auto accidents that may delay you. If you are not sure where you are going, make a “dry” run the day before to familiar yourself with the trip. The key is DO NOT BE LATE!

2. Dress appropriately. If interviewing for a professional white-collar position, guys need to wear at the very least, a shirt and tie while ladies should at the very least wear a nice top and skirt. Avoid wearing revealing clothing, ragged or torn clothing, wrinkled clothing, offensive clothing, or excessive jewelry.

3. Do some grooming. Take a shower. Comb the hair. Brush the teeth. Clean the fingernails. Put on some deodorant. Avoid visible body piercing jewelry such as rings through your nose, eyes, cheeks, etc. It is also a good idea to cover body tattoos especially if they are offensive.

4. Be smart. Turn off the cell phone. Get rid of the gum.

5. Do your homework. Check out the company/firm on the Internet so that you can respond to questions such as: Why do you want to work for us? Are you familiar with what we do? How do you see yourself fitting in with our company? What skills and knowledge would you bring to our organization? Why do you think you are a good fit for our company? Why should we hire you for this position?

6. Practice your communication skills prior to the interview. Verbal and non-verbal body language are important. Shake hands with a firm handshake, introduce yourself, and thank your interviewer for taking the time to meet with you. Speak clearly at a normal speed. Do not mumble. Maintain eye contact with your interviewer. Sit up straight. Demonstrate an interest in the job. Be honest. Don’t try to fake your way through a question. It rarely works. At the end of the interview, thank your interviewer once again.

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Best Jobs for 2012

U.S. News and World Report lists the following jobs as the Best Jobs of 2012. You can earn a degree in many of these careers at SPC.
10. Occupational Therapist
9. Computer Programmer
8. Physical Therapist
7. Computer Systems Analyst
6. Web Developer
5. Database Administratot
4. Medical Assistant
3. Pharmacist
2. Software Developer
1. Registered Nurse
For more information on SPC A.S. Degree programs visit http://www.spcollege.edu/pages/dynamic.aspx?id=2066
For more information on the Best Jobs of 2012, visit http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/02/27/the-best-jobs-of-2012

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5 Skills You Need to Have on Your Resume

Check out this article about important skills that will give you a competitive advantage when you submit your resume. http://http://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-skills-everyone-needs-resume-150301990.html

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Tips for Your First Job Interview

In your final year of college? Don’t wait too long to prepare yourself for a job. Check out the 10 Worst Mistakes of First-Time Job Hunters and see how to better prepare for that first job interview.

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High -Demand Jobs for the Future

Below is a link to jobs/careers that have high growth potential over the next 7 years and the median pay for each position. Please note that this is not the beginning or entry-level pay but the average pay. Pay can be impacted by many factors including geographic location.

Jobs expected to have a 20% or greater growth rate are identified as “Excellent”.  Jobs with a projected growth rate of 14-19% are listed as “Very Good”.

The source for this information is the Occupational Information Network (O *Net).   http://www.onetcenter.org/overview.html
O*Net is being developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration.

The column on the right indicates the A.S. Degree program at St. Petersburg College that correlates to that career. For more information on programs and degrees at SPC, visit http://www.spcollege.edu/ .

Click on the link to see  Where the Jobs Are.

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Choices for Tomorrow Summer Camp

SPC is hosting its annual Choices for Tomorrow Summer Camp for students entering the 9th or 10th grade this fall. The camp is from 9:00 am-3:00 pm Monday through Friday, June 13th-17th.

The focus of the week-long camp is on Careers and making Career Choices. Guest speakers include business and industry leaders from law enforcement, health care, manufacturing, insurance, tourism, and other fields. Students also go on field trips, and participate in teacher-led activities that will help them identify their career interests and make career decisions.

For more information or to enroll in the camp call 727-341-3353 or 727-341-3353.

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Hot Jobs – Spotlight on Nursing

Most labor analysts agree that Health Care is the fastest job growth field in the United States and that Nursing sits at the top of the list for job opportunities in the Health Care industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a minimum 20% growth rate in the number of nursing jobs available over the next ten years. This equates to more than 1,000,000 new jobs in the field of Nursing. Registered Nurses – Occupational Outlook

The average income for a Registered Nurse is approximately $64,000 nation-wide and may be higher in different areas of the country. One can enter the field with a two-year Associate of Science degree. St. Petersburg College is recognized as one of the top Nursing programs in the state of Florida and in the Southeastern United States. The SPC Associate Degree in Nursing Program is fully approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.

Successful students of the SPC Nursing Program receive an Associate in Science in Nursing Degree enabling the individual to apply to write the licensing examination and receive their Registered Nurse (R.N.) license. Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs are able to provide direct nursing care to patients in hospitals and other health agencies. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are able to provide management and leadership in complex healthcare settings.

For more information, visit the St Petersburg College web-site at St. Petersburg College  Keyword –Nursing.

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