Professional transitions

Local Jews suffering from occupation frustration or considering a change in profession may soon find relief, through an upcoming conference that will offer guidance, support and encouragement to those seeking a career transformation.

"Guiding You Through a Successful Career Transition: Today, Tomorrow And Beyond," a nondenominational event focused on helping Jews and other members of the local community smooth the process of changing or improving their careers, will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.

Conference co-chairwoman Dale Kalika said the one-day event presented by the temple's Shalom Center will consist of sessions hosted by Valley experts, including prominent members of the local Jewish community, and is aimed at "a wide spectrum" of individuals seeking a career transition, including those who are unemployed, recent college graduates and retirees re-entering the workforce.

Kalika, who is an associate faculty member at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business, said organizers also are hoping to attract anyone who has been laid off or is feeling "burned out" by a current job, and those who "want a shift to another career."

"Times are different from our parents' generation when people had a solo career for their entire lives. Now people are making changes for many different reasons and at many different stages of their lives," said Kalika, who estimates the typical individual will change careers three times in a lifetime.

Kalika added that individuals who want to remain in their chosen professions and are seeking tips for increasing their job satisfaction and dealing with work-related challenges, can also gleam guidance from the event.

Sharona Silverman, conference co-chairwoman and director of the Shalom Center, said attendees can choose from more than a dozen 30-minute to 60-minute sessions and lectures, offering myriad advice on job-hunting, financial planning, networking skills and managing their careers.

Alternative job ventures, such as franchising and multilevel marketing opportunities, will also be discussed.

The day will conclude with an opportunity for hands-on experience in a networking session and expo run by Kalika that will offer attendees an opportunity to mix and to mingle with the speakers and experts and pursue contacts and leads.

Additionally, Silverman said, sessions and lectures will tackle mental and emotional aspects, such as staying motivated and "searching one's soul" to determine which career is right for an individual as well as spiritual issues, including the role of faith.

"Certainly in Judaism, there's a sense that our community is there, and God is part of that community, to help us through various types of transitions," she said. "The conference is unlike any job fair, as it's an opportunity to look at some of the deeper issues involved with going through a career change."

Kalika said another unique aspect of the conference is the wealth of experience that each of the lectures and sessions will impart to attendees. The line-up includes Adam Schwartz, executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix; Queen Creek Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr; Michelle Kort, owner and president of As You Wish Pottery; and Rabbi Mari Chernow and Cantor Sharona Feller of Temple Chai.

"Most of these people have done job or career transitions and can share their experiences in terms of a new venture that they're in and give some perspective," Kalika said.

One such expert who is intimately familiar with the subject of changing careers is Tucson author Amy Lederman, who gave up a 14-year career in real estate law to become a Jewish educator, public speaker and columnist.

Lederman said that in her lunchtime keynote address, "If You Know Grapes, Make Wine: Creating Work that You Love," she will implore attendees to use self-exploration to discover occupations they are knowledgeable and passionate about.

"If you really can identify and find your purpose and you feel really in harmony with it, it's a wonderful way to pursue a career or any other major life commitment," said Lederman. "It's always my hope that my talk and my story will inspire and empower people to take the next step on their own path to fulfillment."

The Shalom Center began developing the conference last year to fulfill a need for an in-depth understanding of the issues of the career transition process; the event was born out of the similarly themed Job Transitions Networking and Education for the Changing Workplace bimonthly group.

Funding for the conference was made possible through a grant from Jewish Community Foundation.

The subject of change has been a familiar one for the Shalom Center in its nine-plus years of existence, Silverman said, as the organization routinely offers programs for community members going through any kind of transition, either personal or career-related.

Silverman estimates that the job transitions network has helped more than 100 Valley residents change careers.

"When one looks for a new job or wishes to change careers, there's a lot of work and stress involved," she said. "It's difficult at times to feel a sense of solace and serenity when you're in a situation where there's a high amount of uncertainty."

Benjamin Leatherman is a freelance writer based in Tempe.

Details

What: "Guiding You Through a Successful Career Transition: Today, Tomorrow And Beyond"
Who: Temple Chai's Shalom Center
When: 9 a.m. registration, 9:30 a.m. welcome, Sunday, May 15
Where: Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.
Cost: $15 before May 5, and $25 thereafter, and includes lunch, refreshments, and handouts
Call: 602-971-1234

Home

Professional transitions

Shalom Center conference offers guidance

BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN Special to Jewish News

BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN
Special to Jewish News