Don’t Go It Alone!: Job Seeker Networking Resources in Central Texas
by Angela Loëb
Today’s article is focused on the Central Texas community because I thought it would be helpful for my neighbors here in Travis and Williamson counties to know about the wonderful resources available for networking with other job seekers. I live and breathe this stuff, but almost everyday I’m reminded that those new to job searching don’t know what’s out there to provide assistance and support. You don’t have to go it alone!
If you don’t live in Central Texas and so can’t use the resources listed below, I strongly urge you to seek out or start your own community job seeker networking and support groups. Online tools such as www.meetup.com can help.
But even if you are technophobic and don’t feel comfortable with the online tools out there, you can simply start by bring together others you know that are looking for work. Go meet at a coffee shop or your local library and discuss what you’d like to accomplish together. Be sure to check out your local churches, too. If they don’t already have a group, they might be willing to offer space if someone in your group is a member of their congregations.
Angela’s Quick List of Job Seeker Networking Resources in Central Texas:
The Launch Pad Job Club is a 501(c) (3) non profit organization solely devoted to supporting job seekers. (Near and dear to my heart, I serve on the board!) First-timers should attend the 9:30am new member orientation to learn about how to best use the programs offered. New members will receive a useful handbook with job search resources in Austin and online. LPJC is a great resource for job leads, too. Click here to learn more.
Unity Church of the Hills (Anderson Mill near 183) has the Compass Group. Click here to learn more. Our very own Jay Markunas co-facilitates this bi-monthly program! This group meets on 1st and 3rd Monday evenings at 7pm. Ask to be added to their yahoogroup so you can learn about upcoming meetings, as well as job leads that are sent to the group by local companies and participants of the group.
Career Connections is hosted by the Williamson County Texas Workforce Solutions. Melissa Victor Totah is the main facilitator. Typically the meetings are held at 9:00 Tuesday mornings, but they will be switching to Mondays beginning in January 2011. To learn more, call their office at (512) 244-2207. (Hey, by the way… Melissa joins us on The Job Search Boot Camp Show tomorrow, Dec. 4th, to discuss job hunting in the holidays!)
Hill Country Bible Church (Hwy 620 south of 183) meets on Monday mornings at 9am. Craig Foster is the main facilitator for this popular weekly program. Click here for more information.
Connect Forward meets Tuesdays at 9:30am at The JCAA - 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731 Room 150 C (Enter through the double doors and walk straight back. Tell security guard you are there for job club.) Suzy Drapkin facilitates this club, and you can click here to email her.
Career Transitions usually meets on the 2nd Monday of the month depending on holidays and such. This group is specifically for career changers/explorers. I’m a co-facilitator and will sometimes manage the meeting for Holly Evans who started this group 7+ yrs ago. The group usually meets at the Community Room at Central Market on 38th and Lamar, but not always. Join the email list to receive meeting notices: [email protected].
Covenant Presbyterian Church (Mopac & Northland) offers a 6 weeks series several times per year – you’ll need to check to see when they are running their next series. When they do, they meet on Thursday nights at 7pm. David Hughen and Nancy Rumbo manage this program.
Riverbend Church (Hwy 360 near the Pennebacker Bridge) is not currently offering meetings, but they are planning some workshops. You can sign up to receive notices at their ”Career Transitions” webpage, which is also filled with resources from past presenters (including me!). Click here for that page. Andrew Carpenter runs this program.
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Note: This is by no means a comprehensive list of what’s out there in our local community. As a matter of fact, there are a whole host of “clublets” that have spun off from Launch Pad Job Club. There are clublets dedicated to job seekers interested in specific segments or fields, such as green energy, non profit, art, marketing, writing, etc. There are even spin-off groups that have been created by job seekers who prefer to meet in a more convenient location of town.
