Upcoming events offer tips
for those in the job market
UMPI t events focusing on careers in dentistry
PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s BioMedical Club is hosting two events in March especially for people interested in careers in dentistry.
On Friday, March 2, at 1 p.m. in Pullen Hall 111, the BioMedical Club will host a dentistry simulation presented by Dr. David Burtt, from the University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine. The simulation will give participants a hands-on opportunity to explore a career in dentistry.
A week later, on Friday, March 9, at 12 p.m. in the UMPI Library second floor conference room, the club will host a talk by Judy Feinstein, director of the Maine CDC Oral Health Program, on dental careers and available scholarships and loans. The presentation will provide participants with the inside scoop on the pathway to a rewarding career in dentistry. Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch to this event.
“Several students at UMPI are very interested in pursuing a career in dentistry,” Dr. Rachael Hannah, co-adviser of the BioMedical Club, said. “These two outreach events provide students the opportunity to investigate what a career in dentistry is all about. UNE’s dentistry simulation allows them hands-on investigation, and having two different speakers visit UMPI creates the opportunity for students to hear different perspectives from people that already have careers in dentistry and oral health. Since UNE has a new school for dentistry, this provides students a great opportunity to expand their career options within the state.”
Because these events may have a broader interest from the community, the club decided to make them open to the public. The March 2 dentistry simulation provides an experiential learning opportunity for students and community members. Burtt will bring to campus a mobile dental simulator, which has all of the instruments found at a dentist’s chair. The unit includes a mannequin head and torso, the head of which includes a full set of teeth on which the participants will work. Burtt will demonstrate the process of drilling and filling, and then allow participants to practice the process in pairs — one as the dentist and the other as the assistant.
This “oral health careers education outreach initiative” is focused on giving Maine high school and college students a hands-on experience with dentistry in order to assist with career path decisions. The program, which has been presented at other schools around Maine, has been well received. Burt said that many of those who participated expressed that they had not considered a career in oral health until trying out the dental simulation.
The March 9 presentation by Feinstein will cover dental careers, available programs, information about state and federal scholarships and loan programs, and an update on the new College of Dental Medicine at the University of New England. Feinstein will be joined by local dentist Dr. Mike Blandon, who will discuss the dental school application process.
Feinstein has a master’s degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Beloit College in Wisconsin.
“These events should be fun and informative opportunities for anyone interested in dentistry,” Stephanie Corriveau, president of the BioMedical Club, said. “Both speakers will help increase event participants’ awareness of what a career in dentistry is like and how to prepare to pursue a career in this field.”
For more information about either event, or to learn more about UMPI’s BioMedical Club, contact Hannah at 768-9493 or rachael.hannah@maine.edu.
NMCC job fair March 8
PRESQUE ISLE — As challenging economic times persist nationwide and in Aroostook County, Northern Maine Community College is hoping to challenge the perception that there are few opportunities for job-seekers in the region. NMCC will host its annual job fair Thursday, March 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the gymnasium.
The 15th annual job fair will feature more than 40 businesses and provide an opportunity for the public to meet with hiring representatives from businesses, organizations and government entities from throughout Maine all under one roof.
“Since the business people speak with many individuals throughout the day, it is encouraged that the attendees looking for work bring resumes that they can leave behind,” said Ruth White, regional director of the Early College for ME program. “Leaving a resume behind will give the employer the sense of what skills you have and the type of work you have done in the past. Getting to know you at the job fair will make you a memorable candidate for the desired position.”
With hundreds of people anticipated, it is crucial to make that lasting first impression when speaking with the company’s representatives. White recommends attendees approach each vendor with a positive attitude, show self-confidence, greet with a firm handshake, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company.
There is also a section where the prospective employers can conduct an interview if necessary. The attendees should come prepared for an interview to take place upon the employer’s request.
According to a recent poll, many recruiters are concerned with the lack of focus found amongst job-seekers, the inability to communicate clearly, and asking about the salary even before the job seeker gets a position within the company. White suggests that when attending the job fair, attendees should pay close attention to the company representatives when being spoken too. It is also important not to mumble when responding to the representatives and to try to communicate in a way that will be understood.
There will be representatives from NMCC and Husson University at the job fair to encourage attendees to continue their education.
“We know the economic conditions have become much worse and layoffs have hit households that have never been affected before,” said White. “The job fair at NMCC brings together a wide range of employers who are looking for skills from laborers, nurses, lab techs, truck drivers, construction, heavy equipment operators, administrative assistants, manager trainees, plus many more.”
The organizers of the job fair hope that area residents take advantage of having a large number of employers in one location to learn about the job opportunities that are available. White hopes that people of Aroostook County realize this job fair is for them, as well as for future graduates of NMCC, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Husson University and Loring Job Corps.
Forum highlights opportunities for Social Security beneficiaries
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle CareerCenter is hosting one of a series of community forums around the state highlighting work incentives to help people receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. The event is planned for Wednesday, March 7, from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Presque Isle CareerCenter at 66 Spruce St. Other events are scheduled in Machias (March 7), Lewiston (March 15), Augusta (March 27) and Bangor (March 27). The public is welcome to attend and pre-registration is encouraged.
To pre-register for the event, contact Peter Lento or Kent DeMerchant at 800-635-0357
“These efforts are focused on jobs for people who have disabilities,” said Maine Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass. “These sessions will help inform the public about the variety of services available that support people with disabilities in achieving their employment goals.”
Participants will learn about the Ticket to Work initiative that provides many Social Security beneficiaries with more choices for receiving employment services. The program encourages eligible Mainers to work through the CareerCenter to access employment and training services, vocational rehabilitation and other support services necessary to achieve an employment goal.
Maine’s statewide network of CareerCenters provide one-stop employment resources for job seekers and employers. Services for job seekers include job referrals, career counseling, job hunting workshops, labor market information, information on training and skills assessment. The public can use the CareerCenter to access the Internet for employment-related purposes and computers are available for resume development. Specialized employment services for people with disabilities are also available in the CareerCenter.
For more information, visit your local CareerCenter or call 888-457-8883 (TTY: 800-794-1110).
University hosts Career & Job Fair 2012
PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its Annual Career & Job Fair in the Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. Twenty businesses and governmental agencies from the region and across the state are expected to participate.
“The Career & Job Fair provides a unique opportunity for our students and the public to explore career options, network with employers, discover opportunities and to gain professional employment,” Barbara DeVaney, director of career services, said.
The Career Fair is part of an effort to connect employers with UMPI students and to provide the opportunity for them to meet with prospective employees. Students will be able to learn more about employment possibilities and employer expectations. Some of the employers have or expect to have job openings for full-time, part-time or summer employment and some employers will provide the opportunity for on-site preliminary interviews.
The university also invites the general public, students from Northern Maine Community College and area high school seniors to attend. The fair, which is free to employers and attendees, is sponsored by the Senior Class and the Career Services Center.
“The Career Center provides a wide range of services to our students and alumni,” DeVaney said. “We post job listings in the Center and e-mail them to appropriate faculty; employers come to campus to recruit and interview our students; and individual career counseling and information sessions are provided on a variety of topics to prepare our students for the job search and to be successful on the job.”
An additional benefit of the event for employers is the opportunity to promote their products and services. Most employers have giveaways and donate items for door prizes that makes the Career Fair a festive and fun event.
For more information, contact Career Services at 768-9750 or e-mail barbara.devaney@umpi.edu.
