By Tova Jaffee 

I meet many people in search of employment. It’s my job as a JCS Career Coach. Throughout my career, I have met with clients, who for different reasons, had chosen not to work or did not “need” to work. Some are new to the employment market due to a change in life circumstances, or were living off an inheritance, with parents, or were simply getting by on a pension or disability check.  

If I could go back in time, to when the client was in high school, I would tell them to:  

• Volunteer 
• Graduate 
• Get training and /or further education 
• Know and plan for economic self–sufficiency  
• Make valuable thoughtful decisions; not choices that take away your ability to decide your future 

But what about the present? Today, what can be done to move forward? 

To get an idea of where your strengths lie and what direction to go on your career path, visit  https://www.wowi.com/ or  https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip. These sites are free and offer useful career interest inventory and assessments to help you begin your job search journey. You can also search the Occupational Outlook Handbook on www.onet.org to research various careers and the market trends for that industry. 

Perusing the nearest college catalog and researching different programs, depending on how much time you want to invest in training and/or education, is also another way to begin your career. If you know someone whose career is of interest to you, why not try requesting an informational interview either by phone or over a cup of coffee? Most people like to be of help and talk about what they do and how they have succeeded. Make sure to come prepared with meaningful questions. Another search lead is the Maryland One Stop Career Centers, which can be found in every jurisdiction throughout Maryland. They can provide training information, as well as employment services.  

I truly believe each person is meant to be here with a profound purpose in the universe. When we prepare our children and ourselves with the mindset of investing in oneself, it will surely pave a path of self-worth, both emotionally and fiscally. The result will be a positive ripple effect within society.  

Tova Jaffee is a Career Coach for the Ignite Career Center.

Whether you are new to the job market or a seasoned professional, the Ignite Career Center, a program of Jewish Community Services, can help you go further and get there faster. Our highly experienced Career Coaches provide individuals of all backgrounds and abilities with the customized services and tools they need to stand out from the competition.  For information, call 410-466-9200 or visit ignitecareercenter.com.