Do you want to advance or change your career, or just learn how to be more attractive in the job market? Kennesaw State University’s College of Continuing and Professional Education has a one-stop solution.
At the school’s Career Training Expo, you can examine more than 40 professional certificate programs, which are offered in convenient classes or online. The event, which will be Jan. 12 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the KSU Center, is free and open to the public. To register, call 770-423-6765.
Prospective students can meet program managers, instructors and former students to learn whether a field or certificate program is right for them.
Among the programs that will be highlighted include administrative professional, bookkeeper professional, certified nursing assistant, culinary apprenticeship, human resources, medical billing and coding, medical office assistant, meeting and event management, paralegal, personal trainer, pharmacy technician and EKG technician.
Attendees will receive a 5 percent discount coupon toward their next class.
They also will hear a presentation by Miriam Salpeter, a social media expert, career coach and author. Salpeter, president and founder of Keppie Careers in Atlanta, is a U.S. News & World Report career blogger and a CNN “top 10 job tweeter.” She recently published “Social Networking for Career Success” (Learning Express, 2011, $18.95), a how-to book for professionals and job seekers.
“Kennesaw State University asked me to give several short seminars on social media, with a career focus to give added value at their career expo,” Salpeter said. “A lot of people are skeptical and fearful about using social media, but there are good reasons for them to engage online for business. LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are the new tools that employers and recruiters are using to fill positions.”
A 2011 Jobvite Social Media Survey found that 89 percent of U.S. companies planned to use social media for recruiting this year. Fifty-five percent of companies said they would invest more in social media for hiring vs. 16 percent who said that they would invest more in job boards.
“I’m excited about teaching job seekers and career changers how to use social media, because it breaks down so many barriers and opens new doors in the job-search process,” she said. “You no longer have to hope your brother-in-law knows somebody who can help your career. You can get your message out to an exponentially greater number of people.”
Career changers can find information, follow trends and locate experts in their fields through following and contributing to blogs. They can share information through Twitter or Facebook to let people know where they have worked and what they want to do. Having an online presence helps employers find them and offer new opportunities.
Salpeter’s book is designed as a reference for people who want to enhance their careers through social media.
To learn more about the career training expo and the free social networking seminars, go to http://ccpe.kennesaw.edu/trainingexpo or call 770-423-6765.
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