One More Orientation Added for LA Fellows Cohort 9

One additional LA Fellows orientation has been added for the class that will begin training on January 13th, Cohort 9. We are looking for unemployed midcareer professionals who are motivated, hard-working and enthusiastic, with solid work experience, who are looking for their next career opportunity.

LA Fellows receive free professional training covering executive level topics including advanced job search techniques, critical thinking, negotiating, and advanced computer skills. LA Fellows also volunteer their time and talents by sharing their professional expertise at local nonprofit organizations through meaningful project based roles. Throughout the program, LA Fellows will gain invaluable career growth skills, job search assistance, and receive the opportunity to give back to the community while they seek full-time employment.

Interested job seekers will need to attend the orientation in order for their application to be considered.

When: 
Friday, January 3rd, 9:00am. Be prepared to stay two hours.

Where:               
Los Angeles Valley College
5800 Fulton Avenue – Job Training
Valley Glen, CA 91401-4096
Located in Administration Building         

Parking:              
Free parking in Lot B at the corner of Oxnard St. and Fulton Ave.

Additional information may be found on our website, www.lafellows.org.

First LA Fellows Reunion Mixer

On November 19th, over 60 alumni of LA Fellows gathered at the Robin Hood Pub & Restaurant in Sherman Oaks to mix, mingle, network and reminisce on their time in the LA Fellows program.

This is the first time all 8 cohorts of the program have gathered in one place. The event was organized and hosted by Katie Mills (shown here with Job Training Director Lennie Ciufo) and her fellow graduates of Cohort 8.

The night kicked off with good news from Cohort 8 graduate Nicole Trejo, who recently landed a position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Photo Archives Department.


Former classmates had time to catch up ...

Accomplishments were celebrated...

Successes were shared...

New friends and network connections were built...

Old friendships were renewed...

Fellows acknowledged the work done by earlier classes that built the foundation of the program...








...And recent classes were celebrated for carrying on traditions and taking our successes to the next level.

By all accounts, the mixer was a great success.

It is always inspiring to have a group of LA Fellows together, talking about their experiences as a result of the program. The most common sentiment expressed? "It changed my life." We're looking forward to more of these gatherings in the future, especially when we have a new Cohort 9 to add to the fun!

"The Experience of a Lifetime"

 

By Kristi Hazama, Cohort 8

Last spring, I had returned from Japan where I taught English for two years.  Feeling motivated and hopeful, I was eager to return to the higher education field and felt excited about the new possibilities.  Immediately, I began submitting resumes and online applications and started researching job opportunities.   Week after week, I remained optimistic, anticipating the phone call that would change my life forever.  However, as time passed, I heard from absolutely no one.  The silence was deafening; the utter lack of response was quite distressing.  And slowly my spirits started to decline.  I wondered if I would ever find a job. 

Around June, a family friend mentioned LA Fellows.  I was hesitant about pursuing this opportunity, thinking I’d receive a job offer soon enough.  But deep down, I was simply afraid.  LA Fellows would be a step out of my comfort zone, teaching me to take a more proactive approach to my job search. 

I decided to attend the final mandatory orientation, albeit still with much reluctance.  But throughout the orientation, I knew there was something different and unique about LA Fellows.  By the end of the morning, I knew this would be the experience of a lifetime.

LA Fellows was indeed, a life changing experience. 

I gained a new level of confidence in my skills and as I rediscovered this confidence, I also gained more clarity into my professional interests and values.  And while this newfound confidence and clarity through LA Fellows was a huge personal win, I am most grateful for the camaraderie among my colleagues in cohort 8. LA Fellows is so unique because it connects people from different educational, professional and life experiences.  I learned a great deal from my cohort, and their support was absolutely incredible.

 

Also, I was helped personally and professionally through the LA Fellows’ volunteer experience.  My hours were completed at the ALS Association, which focuses on the fight to defeat Lou Gehrig’s disease.  It was an incredible experience as we hosted a number of “Walks to Defeat ALS” to raise awareness and funds in the fight to defeat this debilitating disease.  I had the privilege of collaborating with the Walk Directors; we focused on outreach to donors, coordinated with volunteers, oversaw the logistical planning. Volunteering was such a fulfilling experience as you build relationships with people in the organization and make a contribution in a meaningful way. 

I would not be where I am today without LA Fellows.  It truly has been a precious gift, one that keeps on giving.

 

Kristi with Danny Syto and Jennifer Garcia, graduates of Cohort 8