All posts by Sandy Decarlo

Engage in Eco-Friendly Living at the SPC ECO Expo May 19

Events,

It’s easy to take the environment and efforts to maintain eco-friendly living for granted.

We step outside and breathe in fresh air. We turn the handle of our faucet and clean water automatically disperses. Our trash gets picked up and taken away once or twice a week. Life is good!

Learning more about eco-friendly living; two women in forest settingDo you ever think about how this happens? The air quality in Pinellas County is continually monitored on a daily basis. One water treatment facility is responsible for the treatment and distribution of 50 – 60 million gallons per day of drinking water. The City of St. Petersburg alone picks up trash from 76,000 residential and 5,900 business customers weekly. That is a lot of effort by a lot of people to keep thi

Everyone can get involved in being eco-friendly and keeping the environment sustainable. Whether you choose a career that positively impacts the environment, volunteer, or use best practices at home, you can help preserve this beautiful place we live in.

Learn about eco-friendly living, plus apply to SPC for FREE

Learn more about eco-friendly living; SPC ECO Expo flier

On Saturday, May 19,  St. Petersburg College is hosting an ECO Expo at the Seminole Campus. This event will offer information on career opportunities, volunteer options, and environmentally friendly living.

Interested in attending SPC? Apply to SPC for FREE at the event. The college’s application fee will be waived for new students!

Join us to discover career opportunities with:

  • Pinellas County Utilities
  • Solid Waste and Public Works
  • the City of Seminole
  • the City of Largo
  • Manatee County Government,
  • Hillsborough County Government
  • the City of Oldsmar

Educational resources range from St. Petersburg College’s Environmental Science Technology degree, to offerings at Pinellas Technical College and the UF/IFAS Extension.  Pinellas County offers many ways to engage in eco-friendly living.

Students learning more about eco-friendly livingLearn about sustainable practices from many organizations including:

  • American Water Works
  • Solar Source
  • Tampa Bay Water
  • US Water Services Corp
  • Straw Free Florida
  • Pinellas Beekeepers Association
  • Moccasin Lake Nature Park
Have questions about the SPC ECO Expo?

This is FREE family friendly event open to SPC students, staff, and the community.

  • Saturday, May 19
  • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • 9200 113th St.
  • Seminole, FL

For more details contact Career Outreach Specialist Sandy DeCarlo at the SPC Seminole Campus at decarlo.sandy@spcollege.edu.

Follow us on Twitter at #careerspc, #spcintern, and #workforcespc.

Roadtrip Nation

Roadtrip Nation art
Events,

Seeking a certificate or associate’s degree? This roadtrip could be for you!

Jobs that don’t need a four-year degree make up almost half the economy–and Roadtrip Nation plans to explore them! Go on a FREE road trip to find out how learning skills and trades can put you in control of your future.

Roadtrip Nation is an organization that sponsors ‘road trips’ for students to travel and interview people who love what they do, hear stories about their career path, and ask how they figured it all out.

A Roadtrip is being planned for students who are seeking careers after specific skill training, a certificate or two year degree, rather that pursuing a traditional four year degree.

They are seeking interested students between the age of 18 and 32.

The RV hits the road November 26th through December 22nd. If you’re ready to get skilled, apply below and you could be on board!

This is for a TV show, so you’ll be filmed and the footage may be shared on public television and other video platforms.

Individuals who are chosen will help plan the trip, researching and booking interviews alongside Roadtrip Nation.

All travel expenses, plus a daily stipend for food, are paid for by Roadtrip Nation.

The trip is being planned for this December. If this is something you would be interested in, please apply! The deadline is August 14th and information can be found at http://roadtripnation.skillsforward-participate.sgizmo.com/s3/.

There is a FAQ page at http://roadtripnation.com/participate/faq.

Please contact Sandy DeCarlo if you do apply. We would love to follow your journey should you be chosen!

Explore Career Opportunities In The Public Utilities Field

Photo of Public Utilities Field work
Career Exploration, Events,

St. Petersburg College is hosting a career exploration event for those interested in the public utilities field Wednesday, April 26, at the St. Petersburg College Seminole Campus University Partnership Center Lobby from 4 – 7 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

Public Utilities Career ExpoAttendees will be able to learn about current and future career openings, training requirements, salaries and scholarship opportunities from public utility representatives from local governments, SPC, and Pinellas Technical College as well as various professional and technical organizations. Participants/exhibitors include:

  • City of Tarpon Springs
  • City of Largo – Environmental Services Department
  • City of St. Petersburg – Water Resources Department
  • Pinellas Technical College/Public Works Academy
  • University of Florida TREEO Center
  • American Public Works Association
  • Pasco County Utilities
  • City of Largo – Environmental Services Department
  • Pinellas County Utilities
  • Petersburg College
  • University of South Florida

Demand for entry-level and skilled public works/utilities positions is steadily increasing, with salaries ranging from $30,000 for an entry-level employee to more than $100,000 per year for  an experienced public utilities technical or professional employee. This is due, in part, to more stringent regulations and more limited natural resources, as well as a steady stream of retiring professionals creating an increasing need for this type of professional. Veterans, especially those with prior training in these areas, are encouraged to attend.

The public utilities field has a wide range of needs and career opportunities. Depending on individual interests and skills, there is a need for professionals in the areas of:

  • public utilities administration (leadership, compliance, public relations, data management, project management, reporting, accounting/finance, etc.)
  • water and wastewater treatment
  • collection and distribution systems (such as pipelines and pumping stations)
  • water quality maintenance and analysis (including laboratory positions)
  • electrical/mechanical maintenance and repair
  • computer/control systems programming, maintenance and repair, information technology
  • professional consulting (engineering, hydrogeology, economics, environmental science, etc.)

For more information, contact Sandy DeCarlo, Career Outreach Specialist, St. Petersburg College, 727-394-6130, or decarlo.sandra@spcollege.edu.

It’s my first semester; why is everyone asking me about career decisions?

Making career decisions as a college freshman
Career Exploration,

Why is everyone asking you about career decisions?

You just completed high school,  made your way through the admission process, registered for classes, and now you are beginning your journey through college at SPC. Aren’t career decisions made when you finish college? The answer is – not anymore!

Robert Frost (1874 – 1963) wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I chose the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Explore before making career decisions

Unfortunately, when choosing a career, most college students aren’t exposed to “the road less traveled” and are forced to choose the only one they know.

Naturally, people make decisions based on options that have become familiar to them. Similarly, most college students choose a career field based on a handful of options that have become familiar to them. When asked why they chose their major, the answers that most students give sound something like –

  • “I chose accounting because my father is an accountant, and it seemed pretty neat.
  • “Everyone is getting into technology these days. That’s the way to go.”

There’s nothing wrong with following in your parents’ footsteps or the status quo. However, there are more than 20,000 existing occupations, making it very likely that there’s an unknown career out there about which your student could become even more passionate. (Read more about making career decisions in this article by Robert Orndorff)**

Starting with the first semester at college, students should be examining different career paths. And SPC Career Services staff are here to help at every step of the way.

Volunteer, intern, job shadow and network

It is no longer advised to take additional classes to help you research careers. The state university system now charges an excess hours surcharge if you attempt more than 10 percent of the credits required for your degree, and that could cost you quite a bit if you if you test drive classes to see if they are a good fit. If you are receiving Financial Aid to assist with the cost of tuition and you choose to register for classes that do not complete requirements of your current degree program, those courses will not be used in the calculation of your financial aid awards.

Instead, it’s recommended to get involved with the industries you are considering. Volunteer, intern, job shadow, network and interview with professionals. These are more efficient options to explore career paths and get up close and personal with people who are involved in the industries you are considering. The SPC Career Services staff are available to help you get started!

Stay informed by reading our blog and following us on Twitter at #careerspc and #spcintern.

 

 

Explore career opportunities in Public Utilities

public utilities fair art
Events

Demand is steadily increasing for skilled public utilities positions. This is due, in part, to more stringent regulations and more limited natural resources as well as a steady stream of retiring professionals leaving the industry that is creating an increasing need for this type of professional.

To help meet the need of this employment demand, the Seminole Campus is hosting an open house event.

2016 Public Utilities Career Expo

Explore career opportunities with the field of public utilities

Tuesday, May 17th

4:00-8:00pm

Seminole Campus Conference Center

9200 113th Street North

Seminole, FL

This free event is open to all SPC students, staff and the community! 

The public utilities profession has a wide range of needs and career opportunities. Depending on individual interests and skills, there is a need for professionals in the areas of:

  • Utilities administration (leadership, compliance, public relations, data management, project management, reporting, accounting/finance, etc.)
  • Water and wastewater treatment
  • Collection and distribution systems (such as pipelines and pumping stations)
  • Water quality maintenance and analysis (including laboratory positions)
  • Electrical/mechanical maintenance and repair
  • Computer/control systems programming, maintenance and repair, information technology
  • Professional consulting (engineering, hydrogeology, economics, environmental science, etc.)

public-utilities fair 2

Participants at the expo include:

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to network with a variety of professionals in one location. Whether you are currently seeking employment or are just starting to plan for a future internship or career, take advantage of this chance to ask questions and receive feedback. Networking provides you with a great source of connections, and opens the door to talk to influential people that you may not otherwise have the chance to meet.

For more information contact Sandy DeCarlo, Career Outreach Specialist, Seminole Campus at 727-394-6130 or decarlo.sandy@spcollege.edu.

As always, visit Career Services for more events and follow us on Twitter at #careerspc and #spcintern.

Do you think SPC career events are not worth your time? Think again!

Stock art of stick figure trying to come to a decision
Career Exploration, Events,

In January, Frontier Communications came to a career event at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus seeking to fill 200 positions. More than 20 employers from the insurance industry were recruiting students at the EpiCenter in February.  And just last week 50 employers were on the Tarpon Springs Campus seeking students for their open positions while 22 employers were on the Seminole Campus looking for summer interns.

SPC Career Events are a convenient and efficient way to talk directly to employers who are seeking students to come and work for them. Regardless of your major, year in college, or future goals, there are many benefits to attending a career event.

Career events provide opportunities to:

  • Get first-hand information about a company/organization from a representative. You’re likely to get more valuable and accurate information from an employee than you could ever get from a web site.
  • Make a positive and lasting impression with employers. Begin to establish your professional image by distinguishing yourself from other candidates.
  • Effectively practice professional communication with recruiters and other future colleagues.

Mark your calendar for these upcoming career events on the Seminole Campus. Come learn about careers from professionals in the field.

College of Computer & Information Technology Career Exploration Event

Thursday, April 14, 6 – 8 pm

Conference Center (attached to the Seminole Community Library)

 

Public Utilities Career Exploration Event

Tuesday, May 17, 4 – 8 pm

Conference Center (attached to the Seminole Community Library)

As always, get more career and internship information at SPC Career Services and follow us on Twitter at #careerspc and #spcintern.

 

Don’t Miss this Chance for Artistic Networking

Working Artist event flyer
Career Exploration, Employment Preparation, Events, Hot Jobs,

Do you have artistic talent? Have you always been creative? Do you enjoy music, art, theater, and dance? You may be destined to have a successful career in the arts!

Mark your calendar! Monday, November 16th St. Petersburg College’s Fine Arts & Humanities, the Palladium Theater, WMNF Community Radio 88.5 FM and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance  present The Starving Working Artist, a rare opportunity to hear well-known successful artists and others working in the arts in Tampa Bay who will share their own stories, how they came to the arts, lessons learned and more.

Following the panel discussion, attendees will be able to interact directly with the panelists, many more well known, successful artists, and those working in the arts – including those who hire artists –  via a “speed-dating” style networking event.

By attending this event, those seeking work as artists or work in the arts will learn more about the multiple pathways for working in the arts right here in Tampa Bay, and not having to relocate to New York City or another big city in order to succeed and earn a living.

Those considering a work in the fine or performing arts, writers, interior designers, graphic artists, technical arts – light, sound, scenery, property, stagehand — photographers, content managers, teachers looking to work full time, part time, freelance, contract in a corporation, agency, as an entrepreneur or self-employed will benefit by attending and participating in this free event.

This no cost event begins at 6:00 pm at the Palladium Theater, 235 5th Avenue N, St. Petersburg. For a list of panelists and event details, please LIKE us on our #workingartist Facebook event page.  Please RSVP here.

This event is open to the public as well as SPC students, faculty, and staff.