written by: Cosme Lozano

Well folks, it has been one heck of a ride over the last year and a half here at the Career Success Center. I have had the privilege to experience so many new opportunities and meet so many fascinating people during my time here. Unfortunately, it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life.

I am eager to continue my education and I look forward to the upcoming challenges life will likely have in store for me. I feel better prepared and more confident to face them though. This is in part due to the work and training I have received here at the Career Center.

The work that is done by Maribeth and how she interacts with the students is truly admirable and special. Additionally, I cannot forget the work that is done by Evera and Betty. Both of them are crucial to the centers success, and they will do whatever they can to make sure the students needs are taken care of. Last but certainly not least, thank you to the other student workers here at the center. Specifically, Codi, Aryka, Jerryl and Emma. You guys made the work not feel like work and you were always easy to work with. You are all bright people, who will no doubt be great leaders in the workforce.

I am proud of what I have accomplished and I look forward to seeing how this blog continues to grow in its next iteration. Apart from the blog, I am also excited to see how our center’s podcast (Straight Up Success) will continue to grow. The podcast is a great way for students and business professionals to share their personal struggles, in order to reflect and give advice to people who are in similar circumstances. I highly suggest you to listen to the episodes we have out!

Regardless of that, the time that was spent here was not a waste. I have thoroughly enjoyed the people I have worked with, the people I have met, and the work I have done. I strongly believe that the Career Success Center, here at the University of St. Francis, will continue to be a beacon for students seeking career assistance. Whether it be the people in this office or the work that is done, it all matters. I have no doubt in my mind that the center will continue to grow and maintain its level excellence.

Thank you reader for checking in and reading my content. It has been my absolute pleasure to write for you.

I will now leave you with one final quote, “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart” – Mahatma Gandhi

Till we meet again,

-CL

With things rapidly winding down, I want to take a moment and give a big thank you to everyone who was involved in this years student employment luncheon!

I want to give a big round of applause and thank you to all the students who were nominated for the award, and to the faculty members who voted or shared their insights! Without you guys, this event would not be possible.

As the Career Success Center, we are overjoyed to share and honor our student employees, supervisors and the program as a whole.

Thank you to Maribeth Hearn, Evera Ivy and Betty Kohl for organizing and setting up the event. All of this would not have been possible without you.

We look forward to celebrating next years student employment luncheon and honoring all the great work that is done by our students and faculty!

Concluding this school year, we want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in Coffee and Careers! Coffee & Careers was a brand new event we created for the students here at USF. In the eight months that we have been conducting it, we have hosted countless employers and seen countless students make connections.

It is with great joy that I can say we will be conducting Coffee & Careers next semester! Coffee & Careers will be undergoing some changes, but it will mostly be the event you know and love. Additionally, we are excited to bring you new employers for next year, in addition to our familiar favorites.

Speaking of familiar favorites, I want to take the time to thank employers who attended Coffee & Careers this year. This list includes businesses like EcoShield, Joliet Bank and Trust, FedEx, Chicago Police Department, Forest Park Police Department, Palatine Park District, Little Learners Academy, Bethshan, Camp Bow Wow, ISAC, DCFS, IKEA, Chick Fil-A, Illinois State Police, Lutheran Life Villages, Dayton Freight, Walmart and more.

Without employers like the ones listed above, we would not be able to host events like Coffee & Careers. Thank you to all employees who took time out of their busy work schedules, to help students network and connect with business professionals.

Last but certainly not least, thank you students! Coffee & Careers was created as a tool for USF students, who are looking to find employment or make meaningful connections. To the students that attended our events, sincerely, thank you.

As the year winds down, we are thankful and excited looking toward the future here in the Career Success Center! We hope you can join us next year. Until then, stay busy and always remember that job opportunities are out there. If you want it, go out there and get it.

As we wind down for the school year, we still have opportunities for you to attend Coffee and Careers! In the past weeks, we have featured guests for our criminal justice or business majors. For all our education majors, this week is for you!

Little Learner Children’s Academy was founded in June 2009 by Melissa and Zarvan, as an in home group daycare out of their home. After gaining experience of over 18 years and education in the child care field and parents themselves of 3 children, they found many flaws with the way in which the centers were operated, and the enormous cost parents were paying for below average childcare. Their goal is to create a safe, loving and nurturing environment that makes parents feel comfortable while they are at work, while ensuring their children are educated and prepared for the future. They also want to make sure this could be done for the working families of the Channahon/Minooka Community and the surrounding area.

For anyone that is looking for a job in the education field, this is a Coffee and Careers you wont want to miss!

Little Learner is looking for applicants, like a director, assistant director, teachers (full time and assistants), and other roles.

Applicants who apply and get the job will receive health and dental benefits.

We hope as many of you can attend this special event! We are nearing the end of the school year and Coffee and Careers, so this might be your last chance to help network with real-world professionals. Little Learner’s is a great organization to help you get started in a future career in education. For students who attend, there will be complimentary pastries, coffee and drinks. We hope to see you there!

For this week’s Coffee and Careers, we welcome Scribe America! Scribe America was established in 2003, while the concept of medical scribe utilization in the industry has been anecdotally reported since the 1970’s, ScribeAmerica transformed this cottage operation into a national industry. In 2006, they were the first company to demonstrate that the synergy of the Scribe/MD/EMR model could overcome productivity losses experienced by unassisted physicians using EMR.

Licensed medical providers are struggling in an attempt to provide efficient quality care at the patient’s bedside due to annual increases in documentation demands into electronic health records (EHRs), which have exposed the documenting inefficiencies of the unassisted medical provider. Inherent to EHRs is a computer interface that distances physicians from patients, introducing a new troubling barrier to the physician-patient encounter. With services from Scribe America, they are helping make doctors lives easier and keeping records as up to date as possible.

For anyone that is looking for a career in the medical field, this is a great opportunity to get in! Scribe America will be at Coffee and Careers this Wednesday, April 13th, from 10-11:30 am. For students who attend, free pastries and drinks will be provided. Do not miss this opportunity to jumpstart you career!

Hurry! The police are coming!

It is with great delight that I can announce our newest guest for Coffee and Careers – The Forest Park Police Department!

Forest Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, United States. The Forest Park Police help protect the local community of 14,339 residents.

For those who would like to attend the event, or are deciding if they want to become a police officer or not, please refer to Forest Parks eligibility requirements..

The Forest Park Board of Fire and Police Commissioners are charged with the appointment of all Police Officers. To be considered for employment, candidates must meet the following requirements:
• Be a United States citizen;
• Must possess a minimum of 60 semester college credit hours from an accredited college or university at time of application;
• Possess a valid driver’s license, which will be used for identification at all phases of testing;
• Have a valid social security number;
• Be 21 years of age, and shall be under 35 years of age;
• Attend orientation and all phases of testing;
• Possess good moral character;
• Pass a polygraph test;
• Pass a thorough background investigation;
• Pass a medical examination including a psychological assessment and a functional physical evaluation;
• Meet all requirements of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and the State of Illinois.

We strongly encourage all students to attend, especially those who are pursuing careers in criminal justice. This event is a great opportunity to meet with recruiters and to potentially take the first step in entering a career in law enforcement. As always, we will have FREE complementary pastries and deserts, as well as coffee and other refreshments. We hope to see as many of you out there as possible!

And keep an eye out for our next guest the following week, Scribe America.

I know all of you have eagerly been waiting for “Cosme’s Advice for the Day” to return. I am a man that aims to please and that is exactly why I am here today!

With all the craziness that is going on in the world, whether it be the current Ukraine crisis or Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at this years Oscar’s, we could all use some advice.

Todays advice is centered around emotional maturity. Emotional maturity is something we all have, with each person having varying levels. In moments where you find yourself have a strong emotional reaction, whether good or bad, you should try taking three deep breaths. Taking three deep breaths is something that is so simple, that takes no time to do and its results are almost immediate. Deep breathing can help you manage anxiety, depression, stress, and focus. Deep breathing will also send more oxygen to your brain and this can help an individual process situations and make better decisions.

We can further develop our emotional maturity by recognizing our current emotions and truly reflecting on them. Label what they are and embrace any shame you have associated with them. Once you have done that, you can start the soothing process and begin owning those emotions. This whole process can be as long or as short as you want it. It truly depends on the person.

Emotional reactions are some of our most honest reactions, but they are almost always regretted after the fact. Next time you find yourself in a stressful environment or struggling to process something, just remember to take your three deep breaths. Focusing on your breathing will help you begin to calm down and it will equip you to better assess the situation.

For the first time in Coffee and Careers history, we will be hosting a triple header! This Wednesday, March 30th, 2022, students can network with local business professionals representing major brands and companies. We will have guests from Menards, EcoShield and FedEx.

Menards is a family-owned company that started up in 1958. Menards is headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has more than 300 home improvement stores located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Today, Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader.

As a Menards Team Member, your dream job can be your reality. Their management team will work with you to design your career path and advise you each step of the way to help you succeed.

We will also be hosting EcoShield. EcoShield seeks to put their customers first. Customer communication and satisfaction are top priorities. Most Pest Control services use harmful chemicals that can harm your family. They utilize proven techniques, without harmful chemicals, to provide a eco-friendly, pest-free environment for you and your family!

EcoShield has years of experience, and they take it upon themselves to break the mold. Unlike other Pest Control Services, they combine the most innovative pest management methods with the cleanest and most eco-friendly products, so that your home is always protected.

Last, but certainly not least, FedEx will also be in attendance. FedEx is a company that needs no introduction. FedEx believes a diverse society is a stronger one. They strive to ensure their company reflects the many cultures of our workforce, customers and communities around the world. FedEx tries creating new opportunities that fuel innovation, creativity, and energizes businesses. The notion of a connected world is a better world is a core value for FedEx.

We hope to see as many of you there at our latest Coffee and Careers! For anyone who stops by there will be free coffee and drinks, as well as free pastries. This event provides students a great opportunity to network and look for internships or jobs. You never know who you’ll meet, and what doors they might open for you..

Come one come all as we celebrate USF’s best student employees, at our luncheon on Wednesday, April 13th, 2022! We are so excited to announce this event, as the university has so many young talented student employees that are in need of recognition for their hard work!

We will be celebrating all student employees, as well as announcing the student employee of the year and supervisor of the year.

Anyone is welcome to attend, but we ask that you RSVP by April 4th, 2022. Students can use the QR code above, to sign up for the event.

The event will be located in San Damiano hall, from 12-1 pm. The event will feature guest speaker, Dr. Beth Roth.

We hope to see as many of you out there, as we start to wrap up this school year and celebrate our faculty’s accomplishments!

With this weeks Coffee and Careers, we are focusing on all you outdoors-y people. We are proud to host The Palatine Park District and Greater Joliet Area YMCA, for this weeks Coffee and Careers!

The Y is a powerful association of men, women and children from all walks of life joined together by a shared passion: to strengthen the foundations of community. One of the area’s leading nonprofits, the Y is strengthening our community through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been serving families—regardless of age, income or background—from throughout Will County and its surrounding areas since 1926. A mainstay in the Joliet community for 95 years, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests.

Working at the Y, you’ll discover more than a job—you’ll enjoy a career with a future and the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around you.

Looking at The Palatine Park district, they are a separate municipal governing agency established for the purpose of providing parks, facilities, and recreation programs for the community. The Park District is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and administration of parks and facilities under its jurisdiction.

Their mission is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable, and affordable parks, programs, and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.

The Palatine Park District has events and programs for teens and the youth. You can find programs ranging from gymnastics, aquatics, horsemanship, fitness, golf and more!

As always, students who attend Coffee & Careers get the chance to network and build connections with real world business professionals. We encourage all students to attend, as these are great ways to land internships or jobs. Students who attend can enjoy complimentary drinks, coffee, and pastries. We hope to see you there!