1000 Words: What Is the Drumming Thing All About?

It can be hard to describe to people what the LA Fellows experience is before they've lived it firsthand. Knowing that a picture is worth 1,000 words, here are a few to help you visualize what it's like to be an LA Fellow.

Regular readers of our blog and Twitter account may have noticed all the pictures of people sitting in a circle beating on drums, and wondered, "What does that have to do with helping people to get re-employed?" LA Fellows is an intensive program involving classroom training and 100 hours of real-world project-based volunteerism designed to enhance the job search by kicking it to the next level. It does not put the job search on hold; LA Fellows continue looking for that next job using the skills and experience they get from the training. The drum circle we do each cohort is not just a chance to let loose and have fun, it is an exercise that incorporates many of the concepts touched on in the classroom and presents them in a hands-on way that leads to new insights and confidence.

Participants gain greater insight on:

• leadership
• integrating in and contributing to an established structure
• conflict resolution
• creativity
• effective listening and communication

The Job Training Office at Los Angeles Valley College, and the LA Fellows program, has been lucky to have musician Roberto Gutierrez on staff to lead the circle for all 11 Cohorts. The drum circle is cited by many Fellows as one of the most memorable days of the training.

Learn more about the LA Fellows program at www.lafellows.org.

Another Cohort of LA Fellows Nears Graduation

Every cohort of LA Fellows is told in the first week to take advantage of the time in class to connect with the diverse group of professionals there. For every group of LA Fellows, the training time passes quickly, and Cohort 10 has been no exception. As they finish the on-campus instructional portion of the program, start working on the nonprofit piece and prepare for graduation next week, here's a quick snapshop of some of the activities that have been preparing them for their return to the workforce...  



Many of the Fellows took advantage of the optional
computer classes which help them to brush up on their
Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.





There were numerous opportunities for practicing their interview skills
and to brainstorm tweaks on cover letters and resumes.   

Fellows from previous Cohorts came by to give encouragement and first-hand insight on how to take their training and apply it to real-world situations.

They had lots of opportunities to exercise teamwork...





...Teamwork...

...And more teamwork! (Who says it all has to be serious and dull to be informative?)

The LA Fellows also got many opportunities to practice their presentation skills
and get comfortable speaking in front of a room full of people.

Most importantly, Cohort 10 has embraced the greatest lesson of the LA Fellows program: the power of a network. They share ideas, resources, and support. The hardest part of unemployment can be the isolation and uncertainty that comes from sitting alone in front of a computer hoping someone responds to a resume. LA Fellows learn the skills to make that a tiny part of the search and instead focus on effective strategies that connect experienced workers with real employers. Cohort 10 has proven that they are strong enough to step out of their comfort zones, smart enough to say yes to opportunity, and have the fortitude to follow this training to their next success.

We can't wait to see the wonderful things they achieve.

The Beat Goes On

Every cohort of LA Fellows participates in a drum circle session for one afternoon of the program. Friday August 2^nd was Cohort 8’s time to shine. The drum circle exercise is always fun but also is a practical demonstration of teamwork, leadership, communication and decision making. LAVC Job Training instructor Roberto Gutierrez helped this rhythmically talented group find their groove and rev their mojo. A few photos of the afternoon: