February 8, 2010

Dear Friends:

Here are tons more jobs from some of Colorado's top employers.  Keep the jobs coming!  If you know an employer who wants to access the greatest pool of skilled talent in Colorado, they can post a job by clicking here.

Looking for a job?  Promote your job search on AH Jobs List! 

Recruiters are looking on AH Jobs List to identify great professional talent. Every week I'm hearing from job seekers who have been contacted by corporate HR departments who have seen their profile on AH Jobs List.    By posting a basic jobseeker profile, a simple 300-word summary of your background/skills/expertise, you are letting employers throughout Denver and beyond know that you are ready to work!  To post a 4-week jobseeker profile, click here.


JOB FOCUS:
Finish that college degree and you'll find more job opportunities

Dear Andrew:  I’ve been a working professional for more than 20 years and was recently laid off.  I’ve been following your site, applying for jobs and networking like crazy.  My problem?  I don’t have a college degree.  Seven years ago, I was half-way through college and began an internship my junior year and it quickly turned into a full time job and I put my degree ambitions on hold.  I always told myself I was going to go back to school, but never did.  Now, I find that many of the jobs I know I’m qualified for require a college degree.  I can’t lie, but how do I make my real-world experience count for something.  Should I get a college degree?

Bottom line – yes! Get a college degree! 

The dilemma of not having a college degree is faced by many job seekers.   It becomes particularly difficult because of those dreaded Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that are programmed to ask qualifying questions.  In the case of a college degree, if that’s a requirement, even if you have ‘real-world’ experience, you most likely will never be considered if you don’t have one.

In today’s economy, the skills and expertise you obtain from going to college pays off in big ways. 

Consider this:

If you are from the baby boomer generation, you are one of about 76 million people that were born in the United States between 1946 and 1964.  Baby boomers make up more than a third of the nation's work force and fill many of its most skilled and senior jobs.  However, these college-educated, highly skilled boomers will be leaving the workforce in droves over the next 10 years and as a matter of fact, the first class of baby-boomers reached retirement age last year.

Now consider this:

There were only 46 million born in the era following the baby boomers, known as Generation X. 

While this huge gap is one of the things work force planners worry about, it also provides the greatest opportunities for younger workers, particularly those with a college degree.

If you have a college degree, your chances of finding a job are improved overall.  I know a lot of people whose liberal arts degree has no connection to their current career.  In these cases, employers might require a degree simply an indicator that you took the time and dedication to get the degree, or it is simply an across-the-board equalizer for employees or job candidates.  In other cases, degrees are required because they are specific to the position, whether it be scientific or technical in nature or requires a specific training and accreditation, such as teaching.

Now I know there are stories of great and successful people who never got a college degree.  I know of a few successful people who never earned a college degree.  But these are the exceptions; the majority of professional, white collar jobs require you have a college degree and your chances of success are improved greatly by having a college degree.

For those who think that obtaining a college degree is too expensive think about this: According to the US Census Bureau, during a lifetime, the average earnings of a person with a Bachelors degree is $2.1 million.  The average lifetime earnings for a person whose education stopped at a high school diploma is $1.2 million – almost $1 million less! 

How do you complete that degree program you started?  Here are some suggestions:

If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program.  Often, employers are willing to foot part of the bill for you to gain new skills.  Now is the time to take advantage of this benefit.  It is often as simple as filling out the paperwork

One big advantage is that the traditional culture of college today is very different than what you may have experienced 10 years ago.  For example, you can earn or complete a Bachelors or a Masters degree from one of Colorado’s most respected colleges through CSU Global.  

Part of the Colorado State University system, CSU Global is Colorado’s only online-oriented campus.  While many colleges might allow you to take a few online classes as part of a degree program, CSU Global is designed specifically as an online campus and is set up so that you can get the most from an online educational setting.

CSU Global offers an 8-week course format and multiple start dates that allow students to start when the time is right for them.  For the adult learner, the convenience of 100% online classes is ideal, particularly for those who work full time, have families and are unable to get to a traditional campus. 

CSU Global's degree programs provide real knowledge for real world applications in career-relevant, accredited degree programs.  A quality degree from a reputable institution really does matter to employers and also provides you with the competitive edge you need to succeed.

Their Bachelor’s degree programs are designed specifically for students who either have Associates degrees from a 2-year college or for students who want to complete a degree program they may have already started earlier in their lives.  CSU Global allows credit hours already earned at another college to be used towards the completion of your degree at CSU Global.  In addition, the online campus experience is designed to provide the maximum interactivity.  All of the classes are online and through this unique experience you communicate with your professors and other students from throughout the globe in tailored online chat rooms at times that are most convenient to you.   CSU Global is also one of the most affordable ways to finish your degree and provides a full range of assistance to help you apply for student loans and scholarships.

Classes for the next CSU Global session begins on March 1.  Click below to find out more about CSU Global.

About CSU Global
Degree Programs
Admissions
Tuition and Aid

The 5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

Those of you who read my weekly newsletter know that I'm a huge proponent of healthy living. 

Today, I'm going to divert a bit.

Earlier this week, my father sent me a recipe for one of the most decadent desserts I've had in a long time.  The best part?  It literally only takes five minutes to create.  From mixing the ingredients to fork in your mouth.  Intrigued?

I promise you'll impress your friends, your family or your date.  This is great if you need a quick birthday treat for a colleague or just want a fast dessert for the kids. 

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (Microwave Safe)

-Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.  Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
-Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
-Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
-Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
-The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
-Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
-EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

Let me know what you think! 

NONPROFIT OF THE WEEK


The Cancer League of Colorado

A couple of months ago, I sat on a panel at a success seminar and was fortunate to be joined by my friend, Edie Marks.  Edie Marks is one of the state's most successful real estate agents (she has sold more than $600 million in homes in the Denver area since 1977, more than any other broker) and is regularly featured in the local media for her extraordinary professional accomplishments as well as for her and her husband's philanthropic contributions to local charities.

One of the the things that she discussed at length in the seminar was how her professional success was directly tied to her volunteer activities with local charitable organizations in the community.  In Edie Mark's case, she described how her dedication to the Cancer League of Colorado played a prominent role in her progression and success as a real estate agent.  Her mother had died from cancer more than 35 years ago and this charitable organization was important to her. 

She discovered early on in her career that her involvement as a volunteer in the nonprofit community provided her access to other charitable-minded professionals and expanded her professional network of contacts. 

The Cancer League of Colorado, Inc. was founded by five women whose families were affected by cancer.  These women personally experienced the heartache that comes with the disease.  From their individual struggles grew a joint commitment to raise money for research and patient care.  Their dream in founding Cancer League is to help find a cure for cancer.

Today, the Cancer League has more than 375 volunteer members who share the commitment to fight cancer.  Unique to nonprofits, the Cancer League is composed entirely of volunteers and has no paid staff and no offices.  All operating expenses are covered by membership dues.  As a result, the Cancer League has raised and dispensed approximately $4,000,000 to support Colorado research, patient care and family programs and Cancer League grants have been made to projects across Colorado and have helped thousands of individuals and families fight cancer.

The Cancer League is always looking for volunteers and financial assistance on the many events they hold throughout the year.  You can go to www.cancerleague.org to find out more about how to get involved.

On March 11, the Cancer League of Colorado and Saks Fifth Avenue are teaming up for the Spring for Life MasterCard Want It!  Trend Fashion Show.  The Fashion Show will be held on Thursday March 11, 2009 (5:00pm – 8:00pm) at Saks Fifth Avenue (2900 E. First Ave., Denver) and includes a cocktail reception.

Join Special guests, celebrity hair stylist, William Whatley, formerly of Ambush Makeover and Award Shows Stylist, Paul Garcia and Rocco including the entire design team from R& P Cherry Creek North and Dior Beauty Cosmetic make up experts and be transformed for Spring 2010.

Tickets are $50 all proceeds benefit Cancer League of Colorado and include a complimentary cut and styling one-on-one consultation with one of the Design Team members at R&P Salon Scheduling information will be given with ticket purchase.

For ticket information please call 303-292-8065 or http://www.blacktie-colorado.com RSVP code CLCSaks. 

Happy job hunting,


Andrew Hudson