Starting a career is hard any time. Doing it while also restarting your life, and with a regional 12.5% unemployment rate, it's that much more challenging. Expert help is available to help you through the process. While all excellent, these options are listed in order of the degree of least to most individualized help you will get.
Do-It-Yourself Center
WorkSource is a free service available for anyone in Oregon or Washington who wants to access it. While Worksource classes, testing, counselors, training programs and more, navigating yourself through it requires some level of self-direction and motivation. 5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Suite 15. Vancouver, WA 98661-7046. (360) 735-5000.
Do-It-Yourself Class
For those eligible, Clark College several times a year offers a free 4-week Displaced Homemaker class. Eligibility primarily requires being out of the workforce for for 10 or more years and the loss of your primary source of income (such as in a divorce). For more info, check www.clark.edu/student_services/displaced_homemaker.php or contact Becky Merritt (360) 992-2321 bmerritt@clark.edu.
Life Coach
Holly Stokes of Expanding Potentials offers Life Coaching. Great for those facing transitions, career changes, life changes, or any new roles or responsibilities. Her focus is on helping her clients get clear about what they want, where they're are headed, balancing their life, know their life purpose, mission, and vision for living. Holly's trained in the neuro-linguistic process*, which focuses not just on developing an action plan, but also on addressing barriers to follow-though, on training the mind (and brain) to think and feel differently. If you'd like to learn more, her website is www.expandingpotentials.net. Holly offers a free consultation in person (Portland, Vancouver) or by phone to define what you are looking for in working with a coach. Call her at 360-837-3209 or email her at hstokes@expandingpotentials.net to set up an appointment.
*Holly is running an NLP class Saturday 9 am - 1 pm May 2nd & 9th '09. Call 360-837-3209 or check www.ExpandingPotentials.net/nlpforlifenow.htm to register.
Personal Career Counselor
Gail Nicholson, MA, LPC. a personal and career counselor, has worked with women in transition for over 25 years. Gail has a special interest in serving clients who are divorcing and is trained in the collaborative divorce process. She works with women who want to rebuild their lives, their work lives, and a positive sense of self.
Ms. Nicholson uses a client-centered approach, tailored to fit the needs and pace of individuals wanting to discuss a range of personal and work issues. She is familiar with the concerns of women looking to re-enter the workplace after taking time out to raise a family, and is especially helpful to anyone seeking more meaning, balance, and direction in work life. Gail offers vocational testing, as well as coaching in career exploration, decision-making, and job search.
As a licensed counselor, Gail's services may be covered under EAP or the mental health services portion of your employer/health care program. To find out more, contact Gail at 503-227-4250 or check out her website at
www.gailnicholson.com.
Final Note
Regardless of what path(s) you take for your self-discovery, make the journey fulfilling and it would be great if you're willing to let me know how it's going for you.
