All posts by Fred Arnold

SPC Vocation Vacation: exploring career opportunities #spcinspires

students on Vocation Vacation

This spring a dozen high school and St. Petersburg College students attended Vocation Vacation, a career exploration day-trip where participants learned about career opportunities by touring various businesses.

Three different businesses

Students listen to Bayfront Medical Center employees during the Vocation Vacation!
Students sit and listen to employers at Bayfront Medical Center.

The students began the day at the Bayfront Medical Center where they heard from facility’s assistant chief financial officer, a Medical Records representative, a biomedical technician, the center’s supply chain manager and a radiologist – all fields that SPC offers courses in. Each of these individuals described their job duties, how they got into the career and answered various questions posed by the students.

“It was great to hear others’ experiences of how they got to where they are today,” one SPC student said.

Then Steve Wesphal, owner of 400 Beach, delivered a very informative and inspirational message to students while hosting a delicious lunch in his beautiful establishment. He encouraged students to follow their passion, give back to the community and be aware of advantages and opportunities that come their way. The students were so impressed by him that they quickly formed a line to meet and talk with him after the meal.

“I had a wonderful time, especially when we met up with Steve. He was so personable yet direct. I couldn’t help but be proud of him.” – Michael Osgood, SPC Digital Arts student

St. Petersburg College is about new experiences and seeing the world. This photo shows the meaning of #spcinspires.
St. Petersburg College is about new experiences and seeing the world. This photo shows the meaning of #spcinspires.

Finally, the Vocation Vacation students toured Tropicana Field where they were hosted by three employees from Rays Operations. Students toured the stadium and discussed what of careers are available at the venue. The group learned that two out of the three started their career with the Rays as interns.

“It gave me more ideas about my career in the future. I didn’t think I would find or get a career with my degree at Tropicana, but I think I could look into it,” said Irma Walsh, a SPC student majoring in Management and Organizational Leadership.

Vocation Vacation takeaways

All of the employers covered subjects such as the necessary education for their fields, opportunities and challenges the students can expect along the way and what they look for when hiring new employees. Many of the employers we met with commented on the quality of the students involved and the type questions they asked.

Career Services gives a special thank you to the Innovation Grant Foundation, the employers who donated their time, and the students and staff who made this Vocation Vacation a success.

An Innovation Grant funded the event. SPC Innovation Grants provide financial resources to implement projects that broaden the scope of the curriculum, deepen the college experience and improve student achievement.

“I think everyone should have opportunities like this. It makes people feel not so limited to their options in careers and boosts confidence for the people who might stress about their majors,” said Rachel Wilfe, an SPC dual-enrollment student.

Need a job? Try public utilities

Public utilities career fair art

St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus featured Public Utilities for its most recent job exploration fair! Currently, 2,500 job openings exist for the City of St. Petersburg, and a large portion of those jobs involve water treatment.

Many tables at the Public Utilities career exploration fair detailed information related to the field.
Many tables at the Public Utilities career exploration fair detailed information related to the field.

Water treatment, a public service, encompasses many areas of expertise that all collate to one enormous goal: provide safe drinking water for a population. Chemistry, math and physical ability all play a role in getting water from the processing plant to a customer’s faucet, and it is a prime reason why most who work in the field find it challenging yet extremely satisfying. Though the satisfaction rate appears high in the career, the managers of many water treatment plants are having a hard time finding new and promising individuals to fill positions.

“First off, it is hard because you don’t realize that this career is available,” said Waunda Barcus, Manager of Treatment and Distribution in the Water Resources Department in St. Petersburg.

And to most, the career choice does not come up. There is no set degree for Public Utilities, and the way to progress involves many hours of on the job training plus certifications.

“It took 2,080 contact hours – a years’ worth of experience – plus passing the tests to be considered an operator in training,” said Waunda.

Though the road is hard, the job has many benefits. One such benefit is working within a career that helps many people. Providing drinkable water to a city means those at the water treatment plant are the shield against many diseases that come from unfiltered water. They are the ones who make it so your child can drink from the faucet with little worry. That is a goal to be proud of.

“Make those relationships that later end up in a job offer.” – Sandy DeCarlo, Outreach Specialist at SPC

“Most people don’t realize where their water comes from, I didn’t even realize it till I worked in the plant,” said Mariam Brownal, a Chemist at the Cosme Water Plant in St. Petersburg.

Chemists, operators, electricians, mechanics and IT personnel make up the day to day crews that keep water treatment plants open. The wide variety of specialties offers solid job growth as well as working in an industry that will never disappear.

“Since potable water is a critical resource, it will never go away. There will always be jobs, and there will always be a need for people in this field,” said Mariam.

The process of water treatment was put on display during the event.
The process of water treatment was put on display during the event.

Wayne Shownfell, Chief Operator at the Cosme Water Plant for St. Petersburg, understands the hardship of getting into the field. His advice? “Get your certifications done in water treatment. Before you get your license, you have to have a certain amount of hours on the job. If someone gets the certifications, it shows us that they are motivated at continuing their career,” he said.

In the state of Florida there are three licenses one can strive for, and once completed with the hours for on the job training, certifications and testing; you are qualified to apply for an Operator C license (the first in the series). After more experience, contact hours and more testing; you may qualify for Operator Licenses B then A. This steady progression offers a career’s worth of knowledge and education in a fast paced job environment!

Sixty percent of students enrolled at SPC are female, and one of the goals behind this career exploration fair was to make women aware of the opportunity. Waunda, a woman in the predominantly male field, shared her incredible story of the hurdles she faced during her upward climb to the top.

“Most men thought the work was too hard for a woman,” she said.

But she persevered. She struggled through the schooling as a single mother raising three kids, working graveyard shifts and driving two hours to and from work. In the end, her hard work paid off.

“I drove a school bus, bartended, waitressed on the weekends,” she said. “Women need to just keep going on.”

Leah, a former Business Management major at SPC who is looking to change into something environmental, attended the career expo. She enjoyed the networking opportunity.

“This is my first career expo, and it has been very helpful. I’ve been able to get the information I need and get an idea of what these types of jobs require,” she said. “It’s definitely a consideration.”

Public Utilities Water Treatment Information Session:

Learn how to market yourself in the local job market

Are you ready for the workforce? Is your social media presence effectively marketing your skills in the local job market?

Recruiters from around the Tampa Bay area are conducting Recruiter Speed Dating sessions & a computer lab is available to participants for on the spot editing to your LinkedIn profile and resume!

Click here to RSVP or contact Kate Caruso for additional information at 727-614-7002.

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc

March 31 Marketing Yourself Flyer

SPC aims to bolster supply chain workforce through new training program

LINCS-Logo

St. Petersburg College is pleased to collaborate with the Tampa Bay Partnership in promoting the new supply chain workforce training programs. Marta Przyborowski, LINCS Grant Program Manager, recently wrote a blog explaining the new courses launched this week. Click here to read more.

For more information, contact Marta Przyborowski directly at 727-341-7973.

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc

 

Florida TRADE Manufacturing Info Sessions start today

FLTRADE-spc logoAre you ready for a high-tech career in manufacturing?

St. Petersburg College’s Florida TRADE grant program offers short-term training in this very field! Learn about manufacturing careers, training program overview and requirements including start dates, and more!

Attend an upcoming info session:

Date Time  Campus Room
Thurs. 3/19/2015 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. SPC Downtown DC 127
Tues. 3/24/2015 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. SPC Midtown MT 108
Thurs. 3/26/2015 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Clearwater ES 127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enroll in a manufacturing program to:

  • Be prepared for jobs in demand
  • Upgrade your current skills and knowledge
  • Learn new skills
  • Earn industry-recognized technical certifications
  • Earn academic credit toward a degree in engineering technology
  • Increase your workforce value and marketability

For more information, contact Career Outreach Specialist Dee Mortellaro at 727-614-7019.

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc

Dress to Impress event today at the Tarpon Springs campus

Deciding what to wear to an interview can seem difficult. Have no fear; your Career Team is here! Our Dress to Impress Event is being held TODAY at the Tarpon Springs campus at 12:15 p.m. in FA 132. Join us for some coffee & hot chocolate while getting style and money saving tips!

Dress to Impress

Questions? Contact Career Specialist, Claudia Faiola, at 727-712-5444.

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc

Apply now for a summer internship!

KEEP CALMTake advantage of the many opportunities to gain experience and build your resume this summer by completing an internship. Many of St. Petersburg College’s academic programs offer credit internship or co-op courses through partnerships with local businesses. View the program listing and requirements for credit internships here.

The deadline to apply for a credit summer internship is Wed. April 1, so apply now and start your search today. Whether you are seeking academic credit or not, be sure to visit the intern resources page to learn more about opportunities available and locate helpful links.

 

 

Questions? Reach out to the employment and internship team. We’re here to help you finish what you start!

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

Majors Exploration Fair Wed, March 18th at the Clearwater campus

Attend the Majors Exploration Fair this Wed. March 18th at St. Petersburg College’s Clearwater Campus, Room ES 104.March 18 MajorExploration BS3_Page_1

  • Explore different majors…and the careers they lead to
  • Listen to SPC alumni and community leaders share how their college majors helped shape their careers
  • Hear students describe the benefits of their majors
  • View student work
  • Learn about the college’s many academic programs

Programs participating include:

  • Business
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Fine Arts
  • Health Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Mathematics
  • Nursing
  • Paralegal Studies
  • Public Policy
  • Social Sciences
  • Science
  • And more!

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc

Orthotics and Prosthetics Info Session today!

Since 2005, St. Petersburg College has been a national leader in developing and providing Orthotics and Prosthetics training through its $11-million J.E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics. This expanding allied health field involves evaluating, fabricating, and custom fitting artificial limbs and orthopedic braces to help rehabilitate patients with disabling conditions. Demand for these professions is increasing, as are the education requirements. Attend the info session today to learn more about this exciting program!

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Credit Programs (new cohorts begin August 2015)

  • Associate in Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics Technology
  • Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics (with articulation to Florida State University’s Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering)

Non-credit Programs (beginning throughout the year)

  • Mastectomy Fitter
  • Orthotic Fitter
  • Pedorthist

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Get started now! RSVP or call 727-614-7268 if you have any questions.

Follow career news at SPC on Twitter at #careerspc