All posts by beekman.maribeth

HITT Grant Students take Cisco Tour

Employment Preparation, General, Student Stories

Thanks to Steve Marcinek, a systems engineer at Cisco, five HITT grant students from Michael Gordon’s CCNA class, toured Cisco facilities on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Marcinek, a St. Petersburg College Computer and Information Technology advisory committee member, informed students, staff, and faculty about Cisco products and the IT profession.  The tour began with a self-introduction about how Marcinek acquired his position at Cisco.  Mr. Marcinek conducted an informal Q&A session to encourage students to ask questions about Cisco products, the company, and careers in information technology.

CISCO Tour.Students looking at equipmentStudents took advantage of the Q&A portion, inquiring about what employers seek in entry-level IT candidates, how to obtain positions, what additional education Marcinek thought would be beneficial, and specifics about Cisco products and services. Marcinek explained his belief that his MBA coupled with his technical background paved a solid path for his current position as Systems Engineer.  With this tip, Marcinek advised that an MBA would assist a potential IT recruit with navigating the corporate environment.

The final tour segments showed students the latest networking equipment, including Cisco routers, and demoed the use of Cisco’s cutting-edge teleconferencing equipment. Marcinek wrapped up the tour with an open invitation for the students to network and ask questions. When interviewed, one excited student said of the tour “…enjoyed seeing how Cisco incorporated technical expertise with sales skills into providing customer solutions. It was a great example of how the IT field is built on people AND technology… Ultimately an IT solution or project should  solve a problem or fulfill the need of a business, organization, or person.”

Follow Career Pathways at #spcpath

Exciting Internship Opportunities!

General, Student Stories

stThe St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce is a vital piece to the growth and
vitality of the community, and they continue to offer an excellent internship
program for students.  Here is a recent
article that the St. Petersburg Chamber published about Shauntavia Barnes, a
SPC student in the Hospitality and Tourism AS degree program:

The St. Petersburg Chamber recently hosted Shauntavia, an intern from St.
Petersburg College, who assisted with various tasks in the Visitors Center.
Shauntavia helped with the assessment of way-finding signage, assisted
in the development of interest based itineraries for our visitors/residents and assisted visitors who called or walked into the Visitors Center requesting information about our Sunshine City.  She is currently completing her Associates Degree in Hospitality and Tourism.

We are excited to announce that while Shauntavia was acquiring the job skillsneeded to start her career, she landed her first job in the tourism industry!  She will be working as a travel agent for WebJet.  Although we will miss.  Shauntavia we wish her much success in her future endeavors.

The Chamber is actively looking for student interns who wish to develop job
skills in the Public Policy, Finance, Economic Development, Event Coordination,
Marketing and Communications, Membership Management, Tourism and Administrative departments.  If you are interested in an internship, please email your cover letter and resume to Linda Punzak at lpunzak@stpete.com

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

 

Next Internship Preparation Workshop

Employment Preparation, Events, General

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Applied for your internship?  What’s next? You are invited to attend an Internship Preparation Workshop – if you have requested an internship for credit and been approved or you have an internship pending completion of your pre-requisites.

These workshops are for students who are looking to secure an internship for summer or fall 2014.

The next workshops will be Wednesday, April 9, 2014, from  6pm – 8:30pm at Epi Center in room 2-304.   The following information will be covered:

  • Understanding the purpose of an internship
  • Using your resume as a self-marketing tool
  • Making Connections – how to secure an internship
  • Interviewing – by phone or in person

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take the JIST soft skills on-line training which results in a Certificate of completion.  This is a nice item for your portfolio.  Check your SPC email for the registration form or contact the Internship Office at 341-3019.

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

Sustainability: Let The Sun Shine!

Employment Preparation, Events, General

Are you interested in renewable energy and sustainability? Me too! I worked in energy conservation for several years before joining the SPC team. I heard about an opportunity through the Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy (FARE) to see what’s happening in Pinellas County with renewable energy.

On March 21st, about 25 of us toured local businesses and facilities, looking at solar installations and talking about the state of sustainability in Florida. My focus was to learn what job Sustainability blogopportunities  are out there for students in our A.S degree in Environmental Science Technology and B.A.S degree in Sustainability Management. I found that solar is on the upswing in Florida, despite limited support from the state.

Tour Highlights

We visited SPC’s own Seminole Campus, which has a new 50 watt solar installation, thanks to a grant from Duke Energy. The installation uses thin film technology, which means the underside of the installation looks like a mirror!

Two sites showcased integrated rooftops. PolyPack,Inc is a manufacturer – they make shrink-wrap machines.  So, they used that knowledge to design and produce many of the parts used in the 270 kW solar installation themselves. They installed an integrate rooftop. (Fun side note – did you know there is a cool automobile museum in Pinellas Park? Check it out! http://tbauto.org/ The Polypack owners run it as their hobby.)

The Suntrust Building in downtown St. Petersburg featured an integrated rooftop, installed by Solar Energy Management. It also is expecting a 5 to 6 year payback.

What is an integrated rooftop, you ask? It’s a structural integration that allows the solar racking to serve as part of the roof. That, in turn, means the whole system, including the roof, is eligible for accelerated depreciation and, in the eyes of the everyday business owner, turns the whole discussion about solar in Florida on its head. Previously, only the solar panels/racking were eligible.

Having more accelerated depreciation means the product is able to generate a simple payback in less time, i.e., 5 to 6 years. To the average business owner, that means solar in Florida is now a viable option! And, hopefully, it will means jobs will increase over the next several years.

Net Zero BuildingWe also toured the Florida Sierra Club Headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. This is a Net Zero building developed by All Florida Management. It was a wonderful example of how one can design for Florida’s needs. Net Zero buildings use innovative techniques to reduce the utility bills, reduce the carbon footprint  and increase the occupants’ enjoyment of the space.

The day ended with a town hall meeting, featuring a brief  talk by Mayor Rick Kriseman. All in all, it was clear that our graduates should have good options in terms of companies they could work for! These companies seem to be at the front of the sustainability movement in Florida.  Check out FARE for more information and to get started networking.

Follow Career Pathways at #spcpath

It’s Fun To Intern At The YMCA!

General, Student Stories

blog

 

This spring, John Sherrod is performing his IT internship at the YMCA of the Suncoast.  John is the third student to intern for the YMCA.    Previously Valerie Tur and Alec Fyfe completed their internship for credit with the YMCA under the mentorship of Ruby Asquith, Assistant Vice President of IT for the YMCA.

Ruby states that “The YMCA of the Suncoast has benefited greatly from the SPC internship program. The students have received a strong educational foundation and are eager to put their knowledge into practice. We are very pleased with our relationship.”

Thank you YMCA for being a great partner!  @YMCAsuncoast

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

 

 

SPC Week – Career Info Sessions Galore!

General

Seminole Sign Up. Everyone Engaged SPC kicked off its first open house for the 2014 SPC Week at the Downtown campus on Monday, March 3rd. For SPC Week, the college planned campus tours, program information, and Career & Technical Education info sessions (CTE). Five campuses were highlighted in 4 days. This structure gave students and potential students a greater opportunity to explore different program and career options as well as different campus locations.

Included with career advice was a schedule of fifty-two Career & Technical Education info sessions. Career info sessions started at all campuses at 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m. Interested parties attended sessions, examining careers such as Engineering, Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA), Manufacturing, Public Safety, and Early Childhood Education.   Sharon Setterlind Presenting-Good pic.

Of the interested community members who participated in SPC Week, a high percentage of those also attended CTE info sessions. St. Petersburg Gibbs campus won the award for highest percentage. Seminole and Clearwater campuses offered the most variety of information sessions. The Tarpon Springs and Downtown campuses also showcased their ability to offer students workforce education opportunities.

Curious about what career field info sessions generated the most attendees? Jobs in the Health Sciences such as Radiography, Veterinary Technician, and Nursing attracted the most participants. Information Technology tied at a close second place.

Event Breakout Session-CWDid you miss SPC Week? Its never too late to excavate new career horizons and broaden your knowledge about what jobs are most in demand or career options that would bring you the best quality of life. Contact Student Services today to begin your new career exploration, or connect with your Career Outreach Specialist. Call 727-341-3353, and we’ll put you in touch with the Outreach Specialist who works with your career of interest.

Follow Career Pathways at #spcpath

 

 

Paid Internships In D.C. This Summer

General, Hot Jobs

 

The Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service has released priority scholarship funding for Florida students who want to intern in D.C. this summer. Students can make an impact by working with nonprofit organizations while earning academic credit from George Mason University.

Student live in furnished apartments on the George Washington University Campus – just steps away from the White House.

For more information, learn more from the institute about philanthropy and voluntary service.

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

 

U.S. Department Of State Pathways Internship Experience Program

Employment Preparation, General, Hot Jobs

usajobs-seal

The U.S. Department of State Internship Program is currently accepting applications for the Pathways Internship Experience Program and the Internship Temporary Experience Program. 

The Internship Experience Program (IEP) allows for non-temporary appointments that are expected to last the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled. IEP participants, while in the program, are eligible for noncompetitive promotions.

The Internship Temporary Experience Program (ITEP) places interns on temporary appointments not to exceed one year with the possibility of extensions in one-year increments. The temporary nature of ITEP allows for interns to work during seasonal and holiday breaks in academic programs. ITEP participants are ineligible for noncompetitive promotions. If an ITEP participant is qualified at a higher grade level, he/she must compete for the position via a USAJobs vacancy announcement.

Both programs allow for noncompetitive conversion into the competitive service following successful completion of all program requirements. Veteran’s preference applies. So consider a Pathways internship with the U.S. Department of State, witnessing and participating in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy, working closely with the U.S. diplomats and civil servants who carry out America’s foreign policy initiatives.

For more information visit USAJobs

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

Next Internship Preparation Workshop

Employment Preparation, Events, General

poi

Applied for your internship?  What’s next? You are invited to attend an Internship Preparation Workshop – if you have requested an internship for credit and been approved or you have an internship pending completion of your pre-requisites. 

These workshops are for students who are looking to secure an internship for summer or fall 2014. 

The next workshops will be Tuesday, March 25 6-8pm at St, Pete Gibbs

 The following information will be covered:

  • Understanding the purpose of an internship
  • Using your resume as a self-marketing tool
  • Making Connections – how to secure an internship
  • Interviewing – by phone or in person

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take the JIST soft skills on-line training which results in a Certificate of completion.  This is a nice item for your portfolio.

Check your SPC email for the registration form or contact the Internship Office at 341-3019

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern

When You Wish Upon A Star

General, Student Stories

stephanie

Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Stephanie LaRussa, a St. Petersburg College student in the Hospitality and Tourism program, had a dream to intern for the Walt Disney Company. She achieved this dream and this is the story of her once in a lifetime experience.

“There are so many things I can say about the Disney College Program. For me personally, this internship has been more than just a semester-long full time job. To point out the obvious, I learned the true meaning of guest service from the world’s best hospitality corporation. But what I didn’t know, was how much it would teach me about life.”

“The Disney College Program is growing up. Surprisingly, in the place where your inner child is set free, I learned to be an adult. I learned to depend on myself, as this was my first time leaving home. I learned that I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. I learned how to look at things from a positive prospective, and how to make a negative situation a good one.”

“The Disney College Program is learning to love yourself. It’s adventure – late nights at IHOP, hanging out on Main Street until they kick you out, and taking chances you never thought you would. I won’t lie; the Disney College Program is stress. It’s closing your shop at 2 AM, dealing with people whose first language isn’t English, running on little to no sleep, a grueling 12-hour shift on one of the busiest days of the season, and swallowing your pride. But, the Disney College Program is magic that YOU create. It’s watching a mother and a child cry together when they see Wishes for the first time. It’s pin trading with a child and watching their face light up when you’re the reason that they’ve completed their pin set. It’s a simple birthday wish, or a “Happy Anniversary!” that you tell your guest. It’s calling a little girl “Princess”, and having her believe it. It’s making magic, and for once, believing in it- it’s believing in YOU.”

“The Disney College Program is something I would relive if I could. The late nights, the tears, the 65-hour work week during Christmas, the not getting into bed until almost 4 am, sleeping all day and working all night. I’d do it all over again. The Disney College Program is, to put it simply, worth it.”

If you have a dream to intern for the Walt Disney Co., click here for more information, or you can call the internship office at 727-341-3102.  March 28th is the deadline to apply for a Fall 2014 Disney College Program internship.

Follow internship news at SPC on Twitter at #spcintern