Starting a career is hard any time. Doing it while also restarting your life, and with a regional 12.5% unemployment rate, it's that much more challenging.  Expert help is available to help you through the process.  While all excellent, these options are listed in order of the degree of least to most individualized help you will get. 


Do-It-Yourself Center

WorkSource is a free service available for anyone in Oregon or Washington who wants to access it.  While Worksource classes, testing, counselors, training programs and more, navigating yourself through it requires some level of self-direction and motivation.  5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Suite 15. Vancouver, WA 98661-7046. (360) 735-5000.


Do-It-Yourself Class

For those eligible, Clark College several times a year offers a free 4-week Displaced Homemaker class.  Eligibility primarily requires being out of the workforce for for 10 or more years and the loss of your primary source of income (such as in a divorce).  For more info, check www.clark.edu/student_services/displaced_homemaker.php or contact Becky Merritt (360) 992-2321 bmerritt@clark.edu.


Life Coach

Holly Stokes of Expanding Potentials offers Life Coaching.  Great for those facing transitions, career changes, life changes, or any new roles or responsibilities.  Her focus is on helping her clients get clear about what they want, where they're are headed, balancing their life, know their life purpose, mission, and vision for living.   Holly's trained in the neuro-linguistic process*, which focuses not just on developing an action plan, but also on addressing barriers to follow-though, on training the mind (and brain) to think and feel differently.  If you'd like to learn more, her website is www.expandingpotentials.net.  Holly offers a free consultation in person (Portland, Vancouver) or by phone to define what you are looking for in working with a coach. Call her at 360-837-3209 or email her at hstokes@expandingpotentials.net to set up an appointment.

*Holly is running an NLP class Saturday 9 am - 1 pm May 2nd & 9th '09.  Call 360-837-3209 or check www.ExpandingPotentials.net/nlpforlifenow.htm to register.

Personal Career Counselor

Gail Nicholson, MA, LPC. a personal and career counselor, has worked with women in transition for over 25 years.  Gail has a special interest in serving clients who are divorcing and is trained in the collaborative divorce process.  She works with women who want to rebuild their lives, their work lives, and a positive sense of self.

Ms. Nicholson uses a client-centered approach, tailored to fit the needs and pace of individuals wanting to discuss a range of personal and work issues.  She is familiar with the concerns of women looking to re-enter the workplace after taking time out to raise a family, and is especially helpful to anyone seeking more meaning, balance, and direction in work life.  Gail offers vocational testing, as well as coaching in career exploration, decision-making, and job search.

As a licensed counselor, Gail's services may be covered under EAP or the mental health services portion of your employer/health care program.  To find out more, contact Gail at 503-227-4250 or check out her website at www.gailnicholson.com.


Final Note

Regardless of what path(s) you take for your self-discovery, make the journey fulfilling and it would be great if you're willing to let me know how it's going for you.

From the crunch to the ka-ching!

Whether your money issues are impacting your relationship, your goals, your ability to move on, or simply your ability to get by, you can expect Shell Tain of $ensible Coaching's teleseminars to be as punchy as her tagline.  Shell's approach is practical, approachable and inspiring. 

Shell's semi-monthly seminars are one way to get a sense of her services, and she offers an initial free phone consult.  In my own personal experience, her coaching and teleseminars have sprurred me to open up my thinking and begin making changes.

Here's the info on Shell's next teleseminar

Teleclass: When Enough Isn’t
Many people spend their lives trying to make enough money.  That sounds practical, but it's really a trap in disguise. In this teleclass we will explore how to go past enough and move on to plenty.
 
$          Have you ever felt like you’re barely getting by?
$          Do you often find yourself settling for just enough?
$          Can you imagine what a world of plenty would be like?
 
If you have ever said “there’s not enough money”, then you’ll want to participate in this teleclass.

 

Date:   Wednesday, May 13th

Time:   10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Pacific (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern)

Registration: at www.sensiblecoaching.com

Fee:  FREE…your only cost for this call is your regular long distance call charges

If you're interested, there's a local Separation & Divorce Support Group meets in Vancouver WA Wednesday eve 7-8:30 pm. 

The class costs $15/session; casual setting, drops-in are welcome but RSVPs encouraged (ex. to verify the class is happening that night).  It's at 305 W 16th St., Vancouver WA

Separation and divorce can be devastating but there are things you can do to support yourself and your children

Learn

• how to reduce the traumatic effects of divorce
• how to be an effective co-parent
• self-care techniques
• that you are not alone in dealing with difficult situations
• skills to effectively communicate with your children and others

For more information call River Rock Counseling at (360) 989-7519 or email caquinb@yahoo.com.

Second Saturday: What Women Need to Know About Divorce continues in Vancouver, every Second Saturday, ever since its successful maiden voyage in January '09. The class is team-taught by a financial planner, a family attorney a mediator and a counselor.  The workshop addresses the financial, legal, emotional and social aspects of divorce in a supportive environment. 

Workshop registration is at 8 am at 305 W 16th St., Vancouver WA 98660.  The class ends at about 1 pm and the $45 fee for the class includes a financial workbook.  Preregistration is not required, though it is appreciated.  Call (360) 448-8833 to preregister.

There's also now a Portland*/Vancouver focused website; www.SecondSaturdayDivorceCoaching.org. The national site is www.SecondSaturday.com.

*PCC Sylvania offers the workshop the same time as the Vancovuer class

The plan is to create a similar class for men.  It would likely be on a Monday or Tuesday eve.  Differences would include some additional focus dealing with anger,  how to build, rebuild or maintain a good relationship with your children and how to earn a greater degree of trust, cooperation and support from your children's mom.