The St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry in Allen, TX will be presenting a new eight-session Expert Speaker Series beginning with its Wednesday morning meeting on March 30 that scrutinizes the steps required for successful job searches.  The DFW Metroplex-based speakers at these programs will provide guidelines on handling job loss, targeted job search strategies, resume & interview techniques, working with recruiters, and age challenges.  There will also be tips on "how to" incorporate LinkedIn into employment searches and career strategies.

The new eight-session Expert Speaker Series will include:

MARCH 30, 2016

Topic:      Handling Job Loss.

Speaker:  Angela Gwinn, Director of Pastoral Care, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Plano, TX. Ms. Gwinn holds a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University (Garland, TX) and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from Oakland University (Rochester, MI).  After a 25-year career in Industrial Sales & Marketing, Ms. Gwinn decided to pursue her passion for helping others through their life's challenges.  A licensed professional counselor, Ms. Gwinn's experience to date includes work in a behavioral hospital on the adolescent unit, with a local school district, and with public mental health counseling adults and children.

APRIL 6, 2016

Topic:      Targeted Job Search That Works.

Speaker:  Paula Calise, Principal, Linked Executive Research. Ms. Calise's career is punctuated by rapid advancement at IBM and TXU.  Prior to launching her recruiting practice, she was a Sales & Marketing VP for a nationwide consulting company.  Today, Ms. Calise places mid and top leadership in Dallas' large and mid-cap companies. She is known for her generosity of pay-it-forward networking and coaching.  A founding principle of Ms. Calise's recruiting practice is to be "candidate friendly," leading to untold hours each year of providing pro bono career coaching.  Ms. Calise holds a degree in Human Resources from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Houston.

APRIL 13, 2016

Topic:      Get Your Ducks in Order:  Steps for Job Search Success.

Speaker:  Karen Bragg-Matthews, International Speaker, Facilitator, Life & Career Coach and President of KBM Career Concepts.  During her more than 20 years in Human Resources, Ms. Bragg has done everything from managing small companies to being the head of several Human Resources operations at a Fortune 500 company.  She has provided companies with the right people ranging from bus drivers to vice presidents.  Throughout her career, Ms. Bragg, who is very knowledgeable about what companies are looking for in an employee, has developed innovative and successful training programs.  As Lead Negotiator, she has worked with various labor unions and affiliates.

APRIL 20, 2016

Topic:      Informational Interviews.

Speaker:  Clayton Stockdall, Strategic Business Partner with Stockdall Consulting. Mr. Stockdall is an operational analysis executive who generates bottom line results by converting financial and operational data into quantifiable metrics, proposing action based on metrics analysis and executing action plans to successful implementation.  He is the director of the Fort Worth Career Search Network, a leadership team member and lecturer for Southlake Focus Group and a lecturer for the Fort Worth-based Career Solutions Workshops.  Mr. Stockdall holds an MBA degree in Finance & Management from Dallas Baptist University.  He graduated cum laude from Central Bible College (Springfield, MO) with a BA degree in Bible and Christian Education.

APRIL 27, 2016

Topic:      LinkedIn - A Very Powerful e-Networking Tool.

Speaker:  Dennis O'Hagan, RE/MAX Real Estate Agent. Mr. O'Hagan attributes his success as a real estate agent in the RE/MAX Frisco, TX office to his strong network and his ability to get and stay connected via networking and social media tools. He is currently involved in multiple DFW Metroplex-based networking groups and is the leader of the largest Sales & Business Development Career Focus Group (CFG) in the Metroplex.  Recognized as one of the most networked individuals through the very powerful e-Networking tool called LinkedIn, Mr. O'Hagan believes that LinkedIn is an important tool for helping individuals to grow their businesses by creating better brand awareness.

MAY 4, 2016

Topic:      Gray is the New Green - How the Older Generation Remains Competitive in the Work Force. 

Speaker:  Adriana Brooks, Personal Coach and Facilitator, Maximize Life Now. Ms. Brooks has over 22 years of experience serving as a project manager in a variety of organizations from human resources to finance to sales & marketing to supply chain and operations.  Launched in January 2015, Maximize Life Now helps individuals and teams develop strategies and action plans to achieve their goals.  Ms. Brooks works with clients to help them gain clarity, stay engaged, maintain focus, increase confidence and be accountable.

MAY 11, 2016

Topic:      Matching Exceptional People to Great Teams.

Speaker:  Kurt VanderMotter, Principal, Linked Executive Research. Mr. VanderMotter is an accomplished leader and hiring executive with over 25 years of experience.  He has demonstrated the ability to not only identify and attract extraordinary talent quickly, but match exceptional people to great teams - ensuring a win-win relationship for both the client and individual.  As an executive recruiter, Mr. VanderMotter is an expert at filling hard-to-fill positions. He has a demonstrated record of executive success in both start-up companies and Fortune 500 companies, including Pepsi-Co., Dr. Pepper/7Up, AT&T Wireless, Jobster and Intervoice. 

MAY 18, 2016

Topic:      Working with Corporate Recruiters.

Speaker:  Jennifer Carmichael, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition and Recruiting, Capital One Financial Planning. Ms. Carmichael is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Employment Interview Professional, and Certified Career & Executive Coach with over 15 years of recruiting and leadership experience.  She has worked across several industry sectors including healthcare, telecommunications, retail, oil & gas, defense, banking, financial and consulting services to successfully place interns, new graduates, experienced professionals and executives in Fortune 1000 companies around the globe.  Ms. Carmichael has worked in both staffing agency and corporate environments supporting public and privately-held companies.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications from the University of Kansas and a Master Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University.

The St. Jude Career Alliance is a ministry helping college students, career builders and those who are unemployed/underemployed to develop individual career strategies that meets at 9:00 AM every Wednesday at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX.  Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 North Greenville between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road. Attendees should park in the northeast lot and use the entrance between the church and the parish offices.

In addition to speakers and presentations at weekly Wednesday morning meetings, the ministry offers training in job search skills, support groups and job hunting resources.

For more information, visit www.stjudecareeralliance.net or email jbick@stjudeparish.com.

Beginning with its weekly Wednesday morning meeting on January 6, 2016, the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry in Allen, TX will present a new six-session Expert Speaker Series that probes the psychological aspects of employment searches and career growth. The DFW Metroplex-based speakers at these programs will provide tips on handling job loss and age challenges as well as resume & interview psychology and emotional intelligence. There will also be tips on "how to" incorporate LinkedIn into employment searches and career strategies.

The new six-session Expert Speaker Series will include:

JANUARY 6, 2016

Topic:     Finding Joy in the Middle of Life's Struggles

Speaker: Angela Gwinn, Director of Pastoral Care at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Ms. Gwinn holds a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University (Garland, TX) and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from Oakland University (Rochester, MI).  After a 25-year career in Industrial Sales & Marketing, Ms.Gwinn decided to pursue her passion for helping others through their life's challenges. A licensed professional counselor, Ms. Gwinn's experience to date includes work in a behavioral hospital on the adolescent unit, with a local school district, and with public mental health counseling adults and children. 

JANUARY 13, 2016

Topic:     Jump Start Your Job Search

Speaker: Jeff Morris, Founder, CareerDFW.org and CareerUSA.org. In 2008, Mr. Morris founded CareerDFW.org, a website created to assist the unemployed and under-employed in the DFW area.  In 2012, he launched CareerUSA.org, a website to help those outside the DFW area.  Also in 2012, Mr. Morris published his first book titled What I've Learned about YOUR JOB SEARCH That You May Not Know.  In addition, Mr. Morris facilitates the North Dallas/Plano Career Focus Group which meets every Friday.  Over 850 people have found their next great opportunity while attending this group.

JANUARY 20, 2016

Topic:     Your Career, Your EQ & the Rapid Pace of Change - Are You Ready?

Speaker: Jane Ryan, Owner and Master Coach, Jane Ryan & Associates. Before starting Jane Ryan & Associates in 2007. Ms. Ryan became a certified emotional intelligence coach.  After years of consulting in the areas of developing and engaging global human capital to Fortune 50/500 and small high growth companies, Ms. Ryan draws upon her experience with more than 100 clients, and her extensive training with scholarly experts in human psychology, neuroleadership, emotional intelligence and organizational/individual development. Ms. Ryan is currently a 2016 PhD Psychology candidate at Walden University and her research focus is on gender equality, leadership and creating positive social change.  Today, Ms. Ryan enjoys helping those in career and life transitions identify and achieve optimal goals for success.

JANUARY 27, 2016 

Topic:     Turning the Job Search Process Upside Down, Including How to Manage Age Challenges.   

Speaker: Gary Spinell, Internationally Sought-After Speaker and Local Business Executive. Mr. Spinell has a unique and different perspective from his years in the corporate world combined with nuances of human behavior that attract and generate success.  His book, It Was YOU, All Along, has received excellent reviews on Amazon.  Mr. Spinell's new book, Beyond Intent: Crossing the Threshold to Your Dreams, has become a recommended guide for getting un-stuck in career challenges while pushing through to complete goals. In addition, he has developed a job search program - titled 40 Unique and Powerful Keys to Land Your Next Job Now! - that has proved to be a must-have for people in transition.  Mr. Spinell has been a guest on over 50 radio shows in the US, the UK and Australia.  Mr. Spinell also has over 25 years of extensive experience in the business world that included roles such as Vice President at Blockbuster, VP/Treasurer at Hotels.com and Expedia, and Senior Vice President Finance at Mannatech.

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Topic:     Interview Preparation Attracts Offers - A Four-Point Approach to Understanding the Interviewer's Needs: What to Express, Listen Carefully, How to Answer Questions and What You Need to Master.

Speaker: Dirk Spencer, Corporate Recruiter.  Mr. Spencer is a corporate recruiter with expertise in direct sourcing, inbound social media techniques and screening of candidates. He is the author of Resume Psychology Resume Hacks & Traps Revealed - Beat the Machine. Be Seen. Get Hired! A fact-based approach to modern resumes, this book is available on Amazon.com.  Mr. Spencer has presented Resume Psychology to several ecumenical and professional groups from Dallas to Denver, including:  Pikes Peak Recruiter Network, Inter-
City Personnel Associates (IPA), Executive Search Owners Association, American Society for Quality Conferences, National Investor Relations Institute, International Institute of Business Analysis, Intuit Women's Network, Texas Workforce Commission and Dallas Fort Worth Texas Recruiters Network (DFWTRN).

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Topic:     Unique Strategies for Employment Search & Career Growth on LinkedIn.

Speaker: Cindy Baccus, Social Media Consultant. For the past 21 years, Ms. Baccus, who earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, is a John Maxwell certified speaker, trainer, coach and mentor and holds a Hootsuite Ambassador title. She is the marketing guru for Outta the Box Marketing, a company that trains clients in successfully using all aspects of social media marketing.  In February 2014, Ms. Baccus launched her first book, titled Facebook Made Easy - A Quick-Start, Step-by-Step Guide to Facebook, about Facebook personal profiles.

The St. Jude Career Alliance is a ministry helping college students, career builders and those who are unemployed to develop individual career strategies that meets at 9:00 AM every Wednesday at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 North Greenville Avenue, between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road.  Attendees should park in the northeast lot and use the entrance between the church and the parish offices.

In addition to speakers and presentations at weekly Wednesday morning meetings, the ministry offers training in job search skills, support groups and job hunting resources.

For more information, visit www.stjudecareeralliance.net or email jbick@stjudeparish.com.    

  It

Beginning with its weekly Wednesday morning meeting on August 5, the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry will offer a new career workshop series that is designed to enable each participant to create an individual career strategy. The four-week curriculum will target three key groups: college students, career builders and those who are unemployed.

The overall program incorporates the St,. Jude Career Alliance Ministry's "fast track" curriculum for the seven-step series based on the Crossroads Career(R) Network Program which is a nationwide Christian-based job-search process.  The "fast-track" format consolidates the seven-step series into four three-hour sessions to speed up job search success.  A fifth session - a three-hour comprehensive review - has been added to enable participants to fill in and complete any topic areas they might have missed during one of the earlier sessions.

"Since we introduced our 'fast track' program in July 2014, we have discovered it can be equally enriching for college students and those already involved in the career advancement process," said Jack Bick, Volunteer Coordinator for the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry.  "As a result, our career workshop program now focuses on three specific participant targets: college students, career builders and those who are unemployed.  We are pleased to report that - to date - our Seven-Step Crossroads Career Series has helped more than 225 unemployed participants to land new jobs."

The St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry "fast track" career workshop program will be open to all.  Participants will be required to purchase a Crossroads Career workbook for $15.00.

The four-week Crossroads Career "fast track" curriculum will be presented at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX on four successive Wednesdays at 9:00 A.M., beginning on August 5 and concluding on August 26.  The three-hour comprehensive review is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, beginning at 9:00 A.M. The seven steps and their corresponding topics to be discussed during each of the three-hour sessions will be:

Week 1:

Step 1---------Upward - Hear & Follow God's Calling

Step 2---------Attitude - Reach Forward

Date Offered--Wednesday, August 5

Week 2:

Step 3---------Aptitude - Discover Your Best

Date Offered--Wednesday, August 12

Week 3: 

Step 4----------Altitude - Target Opportunities

Step 5----------Searching - Seek to Serve

Date Offered--Wednesday, August 19

Week 4:

Step 6---------Sorting - WOW Interviews

Step 7---------Selecting - Walk in Good Works

Date Offered--Wednesday, August 26

Week 5:

Comprehensive Review of All Topics Included in Seven-Step Series

Date Offered--Wednesday, September 2

Each weekly session will include homework assignments, individual weekly progress reviews and networking as well as one-on-one opportunities to consult with speakers and leaders.  Participants are welcome to bring snacks or a sack lunch.

The St. Jude Career Alliance is a ministry helping college students, career builders and those who are unemployed to develop career strategies that meets a 9:00 A.M. every Wednesday at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX.

St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 North Greenville Avenue, between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road.  Attendees should park in the northeast lot and use the entrance between the church and the parish offices.

In addition to speakers and presentations at weekly Wednesday morning meetings, the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry offers training in job search skills, support groups and job hunting resources.

For more information, visit www.stjudecareeralliance.net or email jbick@stjudeparish.com.

At its weekly Wednesday morning meeting on June 3, the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry will begin offering its "fast track" curriculum for the seven-step series based on the Crossroads Career(R) Network Program, a nationwide Christian-based job-search process.  The "fast track" curriculum consolidates the seven-step series into four three-hour sessions to speed up job search success.  A fifth session - a three-hour comprehensive review - has been added to enable participants to fill in and complete any topic areas they might have missed during one of the earlier sessions.

"To date, our seven-step Crossroads Career series has helped more than 225 unemployed participants to land new jobs," said Jack Bick, Volunteer Coordinator for the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry. "Since we introduced our 'fast track' curriculum series in July 2014, we have discovered that it can be equally enriching for college students and those already involved in the career advancement process."

The St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry Crossroads Career "fast track" curriculum series will be open to all.  Participants will be required to purchase a Crossroads Career workbook for $15.00.

The five-week Crossroads Career "fast track" curriculum will be presented at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX on five successive Wednesdays at 9 a.m., beginning on June 3 and concluding on July 1.  The seven steps and their corresponding topics to be discussed during each of the five three-hour sessions will be:

Week 1:

Step 1----------Upward - Hear & Follow God's Calling

Step 2----------Attitude - Reach Forward

Date Offered--Wednesday, June 3

Week 2:

Step 3----------Aptitude - Discover Your Best

Date Offered--Wednesday, June 10

Week 3: 

Step 4----------Altitude - Target Opportunities

Step 5----------Searching - Seek to Serve

Date Offered--Wednesday, June 17

Week 4: 

Step 6---------Sorting - WOW Interviews

Step 7---------Selecting - Walk in Good Works

Date Offered--June 24

Week 5:

Comprehensive Review of All Topics Included in Seven-Step Series

Date Offered--Wednesday, July 1

Each weekly session will include homework assignments, individual weekly progress reviews and networking as well one-on-one opportunities to consult with speakers and leaders. Participants are welcome to bring snacks or a sack lunch.

St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 North Greenville Avenue, between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road.  Attendees should park in the northeast lot and use the entrance closest to the three flag poles. 

In addition to speakers and presentations at weekly Wednesday morning meetings and frequent Saturday morning seminars, the St. Jude Career Alliance Ministry offers training in job search skills, support groups and job hunting resources.

For more information, visit www.stjudecareeralliance.net or email jbick@stjudeparish.com.

The St. Jude Caareer Alliance Ministry in Allen, TX today announced that - beginning with its weekly Wednesday morning meeting on April 8 - it will present a new seven-week Expert Speaker Series.  The DFW Metroplex-based speakers at these seven programs will provide tips on what the hiring manager is thinking, successful job search strategies and strengthening emotional intelligence. 

The new seven-week Expert Speaker Series will include:

APRIL 8, 2015  

Topic:       Get Your Ducks in Order

Speaker:   Karen Bragg-Matthews, Speaker, Facilitator, Coach and President of KBM Career Concepts. During her more than 20 years in human Resources, Ms. Bragg has been involved at multiple levels ranging from managing small companies to being the head of several human resource operations at a Fortune 500 company. She has provided companies with the right people ranging from bus drivers to vice presidents.  Throughout her career, Ms. Bragg, who is very knowledgeable about what companies are looking for in an employee, has developed innovative and successful training programs.  As Lead Negotiator, she has worked with various labor unions and affiliates. 

APRIL 15, 2015 

Topic:       Strengthening Your Emotional Intelligence

Speaker:   Jane Ryan, Owner and Master Coach, Jane Ryan & Associates.  Before starting Jane Ryan & Associates, Ms. Ryan became  a certified emotional intelligence coach. After years of consulting in the areas of developing and engaging global human capital to Fortune 50/500 and small high growth companies, Ms. Ryan draws upon her experience with more than 100 clients, and her extensive training with scholarly experts in human psychology, neuroleadership, emotional intelligence and organizational/individual development.  Ms. Ryan is currently a 2015 PhD Psychology candidate at Walden University and her research focus is on gender equality, leadership and creating positive social change.  Today, Ms. Ryan enjoys helping those in career and life transitions identify and achieve optimal goals for success.  

APRIL 22, 2015

Topic:      What the Hiring Manager Is Thinking

Speaker: Mark Zwartynski, Chairman of The Mark Andrew Group & '44 Uprising Productions.  Mr. Zwartynski has spent 20 years working in the National Basketball Association with the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks.  During his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks, Mr. Zwartynski created the $180 million American Airlines Center Naming Agreement and the $7 million + Ticketmaster agreement.  He established the first automated sales and marketing staffs in professional and collegiate sports as well as the first Email Blast System in all sports.  He has also produced over 2,000 sports and entertainment national broadcasts over television, radio (satellite and terrestial) and the Internet.

APRIL 29, 2015

Topic:       Overcoming Resistance

Speaker:   Angela Gwinn, Director of Pastoral Care at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, TX.  Ms. Gwinn holds a Master's degree in Professional Counseling from Amberton University (Garland, TX) and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish from Oakland University (Rochester, MI).  After a 25-year career in Industrial Sales & Marketing, Ms. Gwinn decided to pursue her passion for helping others through their life's challenges.  A licensed professional counselor, Ms. Gwinn's experience to date includes work in a behavioral hospital on the adolescent unit, with a local school district, and with public mental health counseling adults and children. 

MAY 6, 2015 

Topic:       Intentional Growth

Speaker:  Lars Ray, Certified Leadershp Coach, Trainer and Speaker.  Mr. Ray is an accomplished communications practitioner whose insights were featured in the John Maxwell book titled Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. A founding member of the John Maxwell Team, he specializes in team development to improve performance and motivation towards excellence.  Through process improvement, Mr. Ray delivers efficiency to the business resulting in a stronger organization with increased customer confidence and loyalty. 

MAY 13, 2015  

Topic:       Unique Job Search Strategies - LinkedIn

Speaker:  Cindy Baccus, Social Media Consultant. For the past 21 years, Ms. Baccus has been dedicated to sales and marketing with a special focus on social media marketing.  Ms. Baccus, who earned a Bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin, is a John Maxwell certified speaker, trainer, coach and mentor and holds a Hootsuite Ambassador title.  She is the marketing guru for Outta the Box Marketing, a company that trains clients in successfully using all aspects of social media marketing.  In February 2014, Ms. Baccus launched her first book, titled Facebook Made Easy - A Quick-Start, Step-by-Step Guide to Facebook, about Facebook personal profiles. 

MAY 20, 2015  

Topic:       Targeted Job Search That Works

Speaker:   Paula Calise, Principal, Linked Executive Research. Ms. Calise's career is punctuated by rapid advancement at IBM and TXU.  Prior to launching her recrutiing practice, she was a Sales and Marketing VP for a nationwide consulting company.  Today, Ms. Calise places mid and top leadership in Dallas' large and mid-cap companies.  She is known for her generosity of pay-it-forward networking and coaching. A founding principle of Ms. Calise's recruiting practice is to be "candidate friendly," leading to untold hours each year providing pro bono career coaching.  Ms. Calise holds a degree in Human Resources from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from the University of Houston.

The St. Jude Career Alliance is a ministry helping job seekers that meets at 9:00 AM every Wednesday at St. Jude Parish in Allen, TX.  Everyone is welcome and there is no charge.

St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 1515 North Greenville Avenue, between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road.  Attendees should park in the northeast lot and use the entrance closest to the three flag poles.

In addition to speakers and presentations at weekly Wednesday morning meetings and frequent Saturday morning seminars, the ministry offers training in job search skills, support groups and job hunting resources.

For more information, visit www.CareerAlliance.StJudeParish.com or email jbick@stjudeparish.com.