The Career Ready Podcast

In today's episode, Michelle interviews Katie Orzechowski, an Adjunct Faculty member in the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at College of DuPage. Katie talks about different career paths as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant as well as what experiences and skills you'll need to succeed. Also learn about COD's program and how they set students up for success.

View the College of DuPage Speech Language Pathology Assistant program
Contact the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at College of DuPage

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

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In today's episode, Rebecca interviews Shelly Mocchi, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Interior Design at College of DuPage. Shelly talks about different career paths within interior design as well as what experiences, skills, and techniques you'll need to succeed. Also learn about COD's program and how they set students up for success.

Found out more about the College of DuPage Interior Design program

Connect with Shelly Mocchi at [email protected]

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Pierre interviews Peter James, an Associate Professor here at College of DuPage, founder of HCG Consulting Solution, and faculty advisor for COD Entrepreneurship Club about pursuing a career as an entrepreneur. The conversation defines what it means to be an entrepreneur, pros and cons of the path, and characteristics that help people be successful in their journey. Michelle starts the episode by providing resources one may want to tip into to help them start their own business and move forward as an entrepreneur. 

Topic #1 (Resources): Michelle starts the episode by providing resources one may want to tip into to help them start their own business and move forward as an entrepreneur. 

Topic #2 (Main Topic): Pierre interviews Peter James, an Associate Professor here at College of DuPage, founder of HCG Consulting Solution, and faculty advisor for COD Entrepreneurship Club about pursuing a career as an entrepreneur. 

College of DuPage Entrepreneurship Club on YouTube 

Illinois Small Business Development Center at College of DuPage 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

Listen to this episode to learn how to connect your resume to each opportunity as you apply by tailoring it to the job posting and each organization's needs. The best way to get noticed is to make sure it is easy for the employer to connect your skills and experience to the specific job. Also listen to our listener mail to learn about how to create a resume when you have been out of the workforce for several years, but are now moving to a new field. 

Topic #1: Michelle answers a listener question submitted to [email protected].   

“I was listening to the podcast that was published on April 2 and mostly the discussion included persons that were out of work due to caring for a relative or layoff for extended time. What is your advice for a person that has been employed for the past 10 years but now is moving into another field of career that isn’t the same as the job that they are applying for. How would a person address this in a resume and cover letter?” 

Topic #2: Rebecca talks about how to connect your resume to each opportunity as you apply by tailoring it to the job posting and each organization's needs. 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

Study Abroad and Field Studies are a great way to learn about the world. But did you know they can also help you prepare for your career? Listen to our interview with Sue Kerby, Coordinator of Study Abroad at College of DuPage talk about how to travel and gain valuable experience that will help you in your job search and career.  

Topic #1: Michelle interviews Sue Kerby, Coordinator of Study Abroad at College of DuPage to learn about this amazing form of experiential learning that not only expands our worldview, but also our resume.  

Topic #2: Rebecca answers a Listener Question about how to answer unexpected interview questions.  

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Pierre leads the discussion on different types of experience that can be shared with employers. Tips are provided on presenting experiences beyond employment on the resume. Rebecca starts the episode by providing information on the NACE Competency of Equity and Inclusion. 

Topic #1 (Competency): Rebecca discusses some key behaviors from the Equity and Inclusion competency. This competency is a part of the top 8 competencies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

Topic #2 (Main Topic): Pierre talks about how to include experience on a resume outside of employment. Tips include formatting, content to include, and strategic use of headers. 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Rebecca interviews Susi Pihera from WorkNet DuPage about addressing employment gaps in the job search. The conversation includes tips on how to approach the conversation with employers and how to minimize the appearance of gaps on resumes and applications. Before the interview, Pierre answers a listener question about sharing the cover letter with employers. 

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Pierre answers the questions, “An employer requested resume and cover letter be sent through e-mail. Do I attach the cover letter, or do I include it in the body of the e-mail?” 

 Topic #2 (Interview): Rebecca interviews Susi Pihera from WorkNet DuPage about addressing employment gaps while job seeking. Find your local American Job Center here: www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/local-help.aspx  

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we talk about employment experience and how you can use it to create an impactful resume. We also provide information on the NACE Competency of Leadership. 

Topic #1 (Competency): Pierre discusses some key behaviors from the Leadership competency. This competency is a part of the top 8 competencies from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). 

Topic #2 (Main Topic): Michelle talks about how to include employment experience on your resume, such as how to format these experiences, how to create relevant bullet points, and how to reference your transferable skills. 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, Pierre interviews a former student that faced many challenges as a non-traditional age student. She shares her story of perseverance and overcoming barriers to be recognized as an outstanding grad and better prepared to enter the workforce. Before the interview Michelle answers a listener question about presenting projects to employers and more specifically on a resume.

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Michelle answers the questions, “I've been working on a lot of personal projects lately, but I'm not sure if it's worth sharing with employers. How do I incorporate it into the application process?”

Topic #2 (Interview): Pierre interviews Bonnie Bailey a College of DuPage outstanding grad from the May 2022 commencement ceremony about persevering as a student to be better prepared for the work force. 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter

In today’s episode, we explain the value of the cover letter and how to approach the content to include on the document. The cover letter is compared to the resume and how the two documents supplement each other in the job search. We also provide information on a resource called VMock SMART Resume which helps users understand the resume AI review process. 

Topic #1 (Listener Mail): Listen to Michelle provide a review of the platform VMock SMART resume which provides guidance in the resume building process and insight to the resume AI review process. 

Topic #2: Pierre provides insight on why cover letters are important documents for a job search. Tips for writing an impactful cover letter are shared along with things to consider for the document to better enhance the content on the resume. 

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected]

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter