Employability Skill of the Month
As the Junior High and High School gear up for scheduling classes for the 2023-2024 school year, we will cover Aptitude & Awareness. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) states it is to "identify and communicate individual interests and skills that align coursework and experiences to potential career paths and to in-demand occupations."
Do NOT let the word "aptitude" scare you. When many hear aptitude, they instantly think of a test to measure what they know. Aptitude is the natural ability to learn or perform in a specific area. People can have several aptitudes complimenting each other to help them succeed at particular tasks. Being aware of your aptitudes or strengths can be a powerful tool. Finding a path you enjoy that aligns with your strengths can lead to a fulfilling, prosperous future. For example, you could have an aptitude for math and logic, which are likely to help you excel in probability and statistics. The same goes for working with your hands and having attention to detail. A student may not be attentive to detail when writing a paper for class but can put a small engine back together with his/her hands which requires attention to detail. When seeking a job, you may have to perform a task that will showcase your aptitude for a particular skill.
That brings us to awareness. Many students or adults realize their talents at different points in their life. It can be at age 10, 60, or anywhere in between. Many can develop more skills over the years. Once you know your talents or strengths, you can explore career options. We live in a world now that allows us to have opportunities to explore and change paths if we so desire. Learning or being aware of your interests and strengths will allow you to showcase them to a potential employer. Do you have a natural talent? Then you should explore careers based on that talent!
Still trying to figure out what your strengths are? Often it is what you are interested in doing the most. Again, I will point you toward exploring the John Holland RIASEC model. It helps you find careers that are based on your interests. The careers will list a talent or skills section. It is a great resource. You can perform the questionnaire on https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip, or another open source is https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RIASEC/.
Next month we will discuss how to take that information a step further. We will discuss how to select classes or find additional learning opportunities based on your interest and be able to tell your potential employer how you fit into a position during an interview bringing awareness to your talents or strengths.
Mrs. Macaulay - North Posey High School
Current Course Offerings
PLTW- Biomedical Science
PLTW- Human Body Systems
Anatomy and Physiology
Tell a little about yourself
I am mother of 3 great little kiddos, each with very different personalities that keep me on my toes, which quite possibly might be payback from when I was younger. I am volleyball coach year-round, coaching at North Posey and Metro Volleyball Club during the off season. Coaching has always been one of my dreams and might be my favorite hobbies. I also enjoy swimming, listening to audio books, and going on family vacations.
How did you choose your career?
I think teaching chose me. I have always enjoyed science and telling my friends fun facts. I initially thought I was going to be a physical therapist, but I quickly changed when I realized that I enjoyed teaching my roommates in college about what I had learned in class that day more.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
Physical Therapy, Physician's Assistant, or a College Coach
What is the favorite part about your job?
I love the "ah ha moments" in teaching.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I am a huge Taylor Swift fan! (Mrs. Macaulay was also a student worker for Mrs. Rankin at the high school.)
Email: nmacaulay@northposey.k12.in.us
Location: 5900 High School Road, Poseyville, IN, USA
Pearison, Inc.
Location(s):
Corporate Headquarters for Band Shoppe, Superior Cheer and Superior Team
8900 Hwy 65 Ste 1 Cynthiana, IN 47612
Mission/Vision:
To provide customers with quality products and services at fair and reasonable prices while supporting our community with local jobs for individuals with competitive wages and benefits.
About:
Band Shoppe – Manufacture and sell marching band and color guard uniforms and accessories across the United States and Internationally. Superior Cheer – Sell cheerleading uniforms and accessories across the United States and Internationally. Superior Team – Sell corporate apparel and promotional items to local businesses
Employment Demographics and Opportunities:
We offer an array of positions including Full Time, Part Time, and Seasonal. Office positions include Sales, Customer Service, Accounting, Purchasing, and Graphic Design. We also having Warehouse and a variety of Manufacturing positions. We offer on the job training and most positions do not require a college degree.
Current positions available:
Sewing Machine Operators – Working predominately within our Band Shoppe division producing uniforms, flags, and custom accessories. Either working as a team or individually, you will learn to sew our garments from start to finish. No experience necessary
Decoration Operator – Operating embroidery machines and heat press to add customer brands, logos, mascots, etc. to give uniforms and other garments that personal touch. No experience necessary
Cutting – Process the cut goods predominately for our Band Shoppe division consisting of pieces to manufacture uniforms, flags, and custom accessories. Either working as a team or individually, you will learn all the steps of our Cutting Department from checking in fabric to preparing fabric and operating our automated cutting systems. No experience necessary.
Great News:
Pearison, Inc remains family-owned and just celebrated 52 years of business.
Website: https://www.pearison.com/
Location: 8900 IN-65 #1, Cynthiana, IN 47612, USA
Phone: (812) 963-8890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearisonInc/
Mrs. Cates - Elementary Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher at South Terrace Elementary
Tell a little about yourself.
I have been in education for 15 years. I spent two years as an instructional assistant, two years teaching in Indianapolis, and this is my 11th year at North Posey.
What training/education did you need to get this job?
I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 2008. I am currently working on my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
What does your day-to-day look like?
My day-to-day routine is always changing. Although I do my best to keep our routines and procedures similar for the student's benefit, after 10:00 we tend to have a different schedule every day. We start our morning with a morning greeting and practice worksheet while some students eat breakfast. We then spend 90 minutes focused on reading skills and activities. In the afternoon, we spend 45 minutes in math. We also try to devote at least 30 minutes a day working on skills that challenge us. My class goes to Music or Art, Innovate, and Gym twice a week for 30 minutes.
What is your favorite part of your job?
One of my favorite parts of my job is watching my students achieve their "aha" moment. No matter what subject matter it is in, most students are typically faced with a skill or task that is difficult for them. I love when they put in the hard work and the skill or idea finally "click" and you see their hard work pay off and their confidence soars.
When did you first become interested in your career?
I had wanted to become a teacher at a very young age. I remember playing school at home and the babysitters. It was cool when our school would adopt a new reading series and we got to take the old teacher's manuals home.
On my second grade report card I was marked down for talking too much by my teacher with the comments "she always gets her work done, but then wants to monitor everyone else and make sure they are getting their work done too." It must have been the teacher in me!
What advice would you give to someone who is considering your type of job/career?
This is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs I have ever done. It is a lot of hard work, long days, frustration, and worry. But watching your students grow, evolve, build character and empathy for others is so incredible to be a part of. I am so fortunate to be a small part of their growing process.
What is something you wish you would have known about "real life" when you were in school?
I wish I had known more about the political drive behind a lot of the happenings in education and schools across the country. I also wish I would have been prepared for how much my profession would be scrutinized and politicized.
I also wish I would have been more prepared on how to balance financial life post schooling. Knowing how to invest, the different options for saving money, and how to create and maintain a healthy budget. These were all things that threw me for a loop during my first couple of years out of school.
Mrs. Joann Bogard
Owner/Operator of The Mindful Organizer, LLC
Tell a little about yourself.
I work at Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation in the Accounting Department and wanted a "side gig". I absolutely LOVE organizing anything and everything, so I decided to start my own business doing what I love--organizing!
What training/education did you need to get this job?
It wasn't necessary, but I wanted credentials behind my LLC, so I took an online course in Professional Organizing, so now I have a certificate to show that I studied, learned and can provide a professional service.
What does your day-to-day look like?
I currently work full-time at a school corporation, so I only schedule organizing on the weekends. I offer a free 30-minute consult where I visit the home or business and give them an estimate. Once they provide a deposit, we schedule a day for me to get started. So far, I work every other weekend, but who knows--some day I might be hiring my own staff! I used a free website creator to design a website and I also use social media platforms to advertise. I typically spend 1-2 days each week updating these pages with tips and how-to ideas to teach others how to get and stay organized. This is also where I offer my services if they don't have the time or the energy to do it themselves.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is the end result and seeing the client's reaction to having everything organized.
When did you first become interested in your career?
I have always enjoyed organizing and would organize for friends and family, but recently decided to do it professionally.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering your type of job/career?
My advice to anyone wanting to start this career is to be brave and dive right in. Make a business plan stating your goals (investment, advertising, location, time-line for a profit, etc.) and then go for it!
What is something you wish you would have known about "real life" when you were in school?
I wish that I had known in high school that college isn't the "only path" to success. College is absolutely necessary for some passions. However, a trade is also a good choice. Whether you know how to assemble appliances in a factory, stand on a platform to campaign for change, or you have a knack for organizing--all of it is necessary in our world. Do what makes YOU happy. And you can always change your mind and your career at any time! There are no rules that tell us to choose something at 18 and stick with that choice. Good luck with any and all of your choices!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMindfulOrganizer812/about
University of Evansville
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university with a foundation in the arts and sciences as well as the professions where thousands of students have found their home, discovered their passion, and pursued success around the world.
The University has a rich tradition of academic excellence and has been recognized across the country and globe. In addition to our commitment of strong academics, we embrace our responsibility to help make our communities a better place. This is evident through our designation as an Ashoka Changemaker campus, one of fewer than 50 universities in the world recognized for making social innovation and changemaking in higher education a priority and representing a vision of what education and universities can be. In short, our students are truly making a difference, both locally and abroad. At the University of Evansville, you can use gifts and talents to be a changemaker – to make an impact.
Website: https://www.evansville.edu/
Location: 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47722
Phone: (812) 488-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofEvansville
Twitter: @UEvansville
B. Jodie Rankin
Jodie Rankin, District CTE Coordinator
Fun Facts about Technology
- Google's name was the fruit of a spelling mistake.
- The world's first computer mouse was wooden, not plastic.
- The 'fox' in the Mozilla Firefox logo is a red panda.
- The first alarm clock only rings at 4 a.m.
- Nokia's first product is toilet paper.
Check out more fun facts at https://teachyourkidscode.com/technology-facts/
Email: bjrankin@northposey.k12.in.us
Phone: 812-682-0631
