Smile Politely

Parkland College announces free Education to Employment workshops

Are you looking for a job? You’re in luck, if so, because Parkland College has just announced their Education to Employment workshop series, happening all throughout June in a ton of different disciplines.

No matter your interest, chances are it’s covered here – and best of all, these workshops are all completely free. Find the full schedule and description of each individual event below.

From Parkland’s press release:

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College will host a series of workshops for area job seekers focusing on ways to improve their work readiness and career options through education.

Created in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Parkland’s “Education to Employment” workshops will take place Mondays and Wednesdays throughout June at the Illinois workNet Center, 1307 N. Mattis Ave. in Champaign.

The free, one-hour workshops will begin at either 11 a.m. or 3 p.m., part of IDES’ Resource Orientation.

“Parkland offers valuable resources that unemployed residents simply may not be aware of, resources that can get them back to the workforce sooner than they realize,” said Julie Marlatt, Parkland’s dean of enrollment management and coordinator of the series. “We are pleased to partner with our state’s employment security division to help those seeking work get back on their feet through the power of education.”

A list of workshops in the series is listed below. For more information about the series, contact Parkland College at (217) 351-2535.

Financial Aid and Veterans’ Education Benefits
June 6 at 3 p.m.
Presenter: Kristina Taylor, Advisor and Veterans Certifying Official, Financial Aid and Veterans Services
Discover options for federal and state financial aid, scholarships, veterans’ education benefits, and WIOA programs. Topics include programs, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

Introduction to Parkland College
June 8 at 11 a.m.
Presenter: Tony Hooker, Adult Admissions Advisor, Admissions and Enrollment Management
Review the steps for beginning or returning to college. Your questions on how to apply, majors, and completion steps will be answered. See what your future can look like with a degree, certificate, or course completion from Parkland College.

Make Real Money Now: 4-Week Truck Driver Training
June 13 at 3 p.m. or
June 29 at 11 a.m. (repeat session)
Presenter: Linda Peterson, Branch Manager, 160 Driving Academy
Residents completing Parkland College’s Tractor Trailer Driver Training can receive their CDL and begin work in four weeks with a starting salary of around $40,000. Learn more about the program, what it takes to qualify, and why this is an excellent option for a lifelong career.

Anytime, Anywhere: Flexible Online Learning
June 15 at 11 a.m.
Presenter: Derrick Baker, Director, Professional Development and Instructional Technology
Did you know you can reap the benefits of a Parkland education even if you aren’t able to come to campus? Learn what courses you can take online and how to succeed in online classes. Meet one of our online instructors and see examples of what happens in an online class. 

Finding Your Second Career
June 20 at 3 p.m.
Presenters: Sandy Spencer, Director, and Carrie Harris, Career Counselor, Parkland Career Center
Looking to “reboot” your career but don’t know where to start? Join us for a brief introduction to career assessment and advising. We’ll match your interests to job titles and college majors, answer your questions, and leave you more confident about making a career change.

Health Professions Opportunities
June 22 at 11 a.m.
Presenter: Michele Spading, Vice-Chair, Health Professions
Discover eligibility requirements and employment opportunities for health career programs at Parkland. Topics cover certificate programs, which can take one semester to one year to complete, and professions requiring a two-year associate’s degree. If you have a desire to help others, this may be the right career area for you!

Business/Computer Science and Technologies   
June 27 at 3 p.m.
Presenter: Cyndia Hinton, Program Manager, Computer Science and Information Technology
Those seeking business, computer science, and hospitality industry careers will benefit from this session, which covers career training as programmers, database managers, network administrators, 3D animators, web designers, business administrative professionals, and more. Learn how to successfully enter the workforce and begin a promising career in two years or less.

More Articles