Dress for Success Palm Beaches, has set its fall schedule for job readiness programs. The programs are free of charge. Participants who complete these programs are eligible to receive the “suiting” benefits for which Dress for Success is known, which includes wardrobe consultation and appropriate head-to-toe apparel and accessories for a job interview. Upon landing a job, a full week’s workplace wardrobe is provided.
For women ages 18 to 25, Next Step, is a series of sessions conducted over a 10-week period that will begin Tuesday, Sept. 18, focusing on building confidence and professionalism. Led by Diane Katz and supported by a group of volunteer mentors who represent a range of professions, participants learn resume writing, interviewing and communication skills, and how to leverage social media in the job search process.
“Next Step is designed primarily for young women who may be entering the workforce for the first time, especially those who are aging out of foster care or are at risk in some way,” Katz said. “Our goal is to help them master job hunting or launch a career and to have the self-esteem to accomplish that.”
Katz is a leading authority in organizational and professional development, team building and conflict resolution for major corporations as well as small businesses. The classes are held at the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach State College.
Women age 26 or older can enroll in New Directions, also held over a 10-week period that will begin Thursday, Oct. 11. According to Alexandra Marcovitch, who helped develop and now leads the program, “New Directions combines classroom instruction, guest presenters, plus weekly one-on-one personalized mentoring with volunteers who are experienced in the business world. While participants gain self-awareness and self-confidence, we also arm them with all the requisite tools for finding a job.”
Classes meet at the Children’s Services Council in Boynton Beach.
“These are programs for success,” said Katz, who also serves as board president at Dress for Success Palm Beaches. “We’ve created the curriculum of each to assist women as they enter or re-enter the workforce and also to help those who are employed discover and utilize their strengths so they can continue to grow and succeed in their jobs and careers.”
To learn more about how to enroll or volunteer for these programs, call (561) 249-3898.
