^Jortlanò ©bserucr May IO. 2006 & Special Edition Page A5 College Graduates Prepare to Build Lives Tips for kicking off successful, rewarding careers This spring, 1.4 million new college graduates will be flood- ing into the job market after receiving their diplomas. The good news is that it is the stron­ gest job market we have expe­ rienced in five years. The bad news is that many of these graduates will be unprepared to begin building theircareers suc- cessfully. “Career counselors on cam- pusdon't necessarily give gradu- ates the tools they need to build rew ard in g c a re e rs ,” says W endy A dam s, a c a re e r coach. “Some predict that we will have the most unskilled, unprepared workforce in pro­ fessional history. If the indi­ v id u als e n te rin g into our workforce do not feel person­ ally empowered and equipped for success, both they and the organizations they support will suffer.” Adams, with her husband Gene Pometto, penned the re- cently released bcxik. The Coach Compass, Navigation Tools for Career and Life Success. She makes the point that recent grads need to formulate some kind of strategy before embarking on their careers. ■'Grads should have adetailed career plan in place,” she says. "While much of the advice for graduates focuses on landing that first job. unfortunately not enoughof it focuseson building a satisfying career.” Adams says it’s important for recent grads to realize that a job is not a career and should not be viewed as such. “A common mistake is that graduates focus too much on the job, while overlooking the essential elements that could lead to a more fulfilling career. Fo­ cus on the whole and not just one of the parts. You can really choose how successful you want to be, by clearly defining who you are, what you do, and what you want. It's not what happens to you, it’s what you make hap­ pen!” Adams advises graduates to pursue a career that makes the best use of their talents and passions. "As you ponder the next big step in your career, weigh it in terms of how it satisfies you both personally and financially ,” she says. "The most meaningful work is work that allows a per­ son to express his or her authen­ tic self.” Some of her suggestions for recent graduates: Decide what you want out of your career and draw up a plan “on paper.” Ar­ ticulate and map out what you have to offer potential employ­ ers. Use your personal connec­ Ingredients for life. tions with professors, business associates and even your par­ ents' friends in order to promote your value and expand your reach. To the question "How suc­ cessful do you want to be?" Adams and Pometto say: "You decide." The future is literally in the hands of our graduating students and it will be up to them to decide where they want to go from here. "While parents, peers, teach­ ers and mentors may have had to opportunity to encourage you to develop to certain prefer­ ences, skills and interests, you are ultimately the one that will need to address the barriers that prevent success from happen­ ing,” says Adams. SAFEWAY O Careers Group Honors Leader A trades group dedicated to the professional development and career advancem ent of women in the transportation in­ dustry has named K.C. Cooper as W om en's Transportation Seminar Member of the Year. Cooper was honored for her long-term service to the orga­ nization, most recently as the organization’s programs chair, securing speakers such as O r­ egon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, W ashington State Rep. Deb W allace and Portland Mayor Tom Potter during a series of 19 professional development and luncheon events in 2005- 2006. “WTS is a dynamic group that's always willing to try new things,” she said. “Besides its variety of topics and speakers. WTS is great for networking. I’ve met decision makers, people in various parts of the transpor­ tation industry, and others that I might not have had the opportu­ nity to connect with otherwise. It’s also satisfying to help young K. C. Cooper women advance in traditionally m ale-dom inated professions through mentoring, scholarships and other support.” Although 81 percent of its Portland/Vancouver member­ ship is female, men are wel­ come to join in order to profit from the organization's techni­ cal programs, career support, and networking opportunities. Cooper is employed as the public involvement manager for the JD White Company. M'a very special M o t h e f S D a y ! Dozen Roses is 1 4 stems a Youth Career Expo at Coliseum We want our students to know that if they work hard to get a quality education, then high-skill, high-pay jobs are within their reach. Roses 14-stem. - Steve Olczak, director of high schools for Portland Public Schools Students throughout the met­ ropolitan area are invited to learn about potential careers in met­ als manufacturing, construction and healthcare at the North­ west Youth C areers Expo, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 in the Exhibit Hall at Memorial Coliseum. The free event is sponsored by Gunderson, Inc., Madden In­ d u strial C raftsm en , PCC Structurais, Inc., and the Port­ land Development Commission, and coordinated by the Metals Industry Consortium, Oregon Building Congress, Portland W orkforce Alliance and the Manufacturing 21 Coalition. “We want our students to know that if they work hard to get aquality education, then high- skill, high-pay jobs are within their reach," said Steve Olczak, director of high schools for Port­ land Public Schools. “We are excited that local employers are working w ith Portland Commu­ nity College to inform our stu­ dents about how they can get access to those family wage jobs.” 491-6000. Anyone new to the college who is taking six or more cred­ its is invited to come to the Student Services offices at the MHCC Gresham campus to submit an admission form. The application is also available on the college's website and can be faxed to 503-491-7388. BUY ONE, GET ONE BUY ONE, CET ONE 12-oz cans Selected varieties Club Price $3 50 ea. Plus deposit m Oregon SAVE up to $2 98 on 2 ... Doritos Tortilla Chips iquu o« tu tu vuuv mri 13-02. Selected varieties SAVE up to $3 49 on 2 tquAL n w « »Aim i«n FREE CLUB PRICE *• its Dairy Glen Milk Saltón Whole, 2 V IV or fat Free. BU YO NE.G ETO NE FREE KJOiAl O i If M l v w t l n u i 6Í12 CLUB PRICE EVERYDAY LOW PRICE Lucerne Large Fggs 18-ct Grade AA. CLUB PRICE 4 99 Cl U l PRICE FREE or Tree Top Apple Juice 64-02. Selected varieties. SAVE up to S3.21 on 2 CLUB PRICE z Registration at Mt. Hood Sum mer term registration for students new to Mt. Hood C om m unity College begins W e d n e s d a y , M ay 17 fo r classes starting June 26. Re­ turning students may register for summer classes on M on­ day, May 15 by logging onto m hcc.edu or by accessing touch-tone registration at 503- 12-Pack Pepsi Fridge Mates & rttSlH ifc Lean Cuisine Meals 6 to 11 50-02 Selected varieties Cluh Price $2 00 ea SAVE up to $10 74 on 6 Lucerne Shredded or Chunk Cheese 32-02 Selected varieties SAVE up to $2 00 Buy 6 Bottles or more leer price per hottie 7 99 Clos Du Bois. Gallo ot Sonoma or Chateau Ste Michelle 750-ml bottle Selected varietals. SAVE up to $4 12 99 3 ea CUM PRICE Includes 3 Chicken Strips, 1/3-lb JoJo Potatoes and Small Drink SAVE up to St M aa Shop at Home. We Deliver. safeway.com OlaUHiwtilmiCMCM Al I IJMITS ARE PT R UOUSEUOI.D, PER DAY lien» Br p o rri in (bn id m iv iilib lc it your lo u l Safoway Moro No lain to deafen, reilaunnti or tmtituttom Saler in W ill quantum only. (X untitm ot »mo itomi nuy ho limited ind lubtovt to iv iilib ilitv Not roiponnhlo lor typonaph- K iln r P» tonal orrori Wo morve the, nghlito loorort il l printed ormtvOn B uy O to .Get Ono Eroo rW X X )") often , rmtomet mint punhiK the tint Mom » rerein tbo m in d nom boo BOGO ollen iro not I 2pm oiafei If oní» i undo (torn purr hired. tbo roguiir pmo apporr Minutarrurorr rouponr may bo urod on purrbasod itomi only - not on free itomi. ’ 2006 Sjteway Stoori. Ini