CONTACT: AMANDA BLANTON, EXT. 2247

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/12/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

ANDERSON --- Career planning is a necessity when preparing for your future, because without a plan, you rely on chance to lead you in your job search and in your career, says Amanda Blanton, a co-presenter at several workshops on this topic during Tri-County Technical College's April 19 - 28 Open House at its Anderson Mall classroom.

Mrs. Blanton, director of the College's Collaboration and Special Projects office and former career specialist with the Partnership for Academic and Career Education (PACE) office, joins counselors Beverly McAdams and David Read in presenting the seminars on career planning. During the 10-day Open House, other mini-workshops devoted to job seeking and keeping skills and parents as career counselors will be held, along with sessions devoted to exploring specific careers as a truck driver and emergency medical technician.

Call the College's Mall office at 224-0453 for a complete schedule. A daily events calendar will be posted at the Mall. (No activities are scheduled for Sunday, April 22.) Check the College's web page at www.tricounty.tec.sc.us and click on Mall Open House.

"Lifelong employment is a thing of the past," says Mrs. Blanton. The average person holds 8.6 jobs between the ages of 18 and 32, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor. "This seminar, 'Finding the Career that is Right for You,' is for adults in the community who are going through a transition in their careers or thinking about changing jobs. It's also good information for those who have lost a job or someone who is confused about identifying a college major."

"Career planning is for everybody and involves the whole person. It begins when you start school and ends at retirement. The first step is to assess yourself and your interests, skills, strengths and values," said Mrs. Blanton.

"The more planning you do, the more likely you'll get what you are looking for," she added.

The career planning sessions will involve informal discussion. "It will be a chance to talk about the wise, and sometimes unwise, decisions you have made. Career planning is a chance to get back on track. We expect a lot from our jobs, more than just a paycheck. Career planning is important because our jobs are such a big part of our lives," she said.

Mrs. Blanton also will outline Tri-County Technical College's resources, such as the One Stop Center, Counseling Center and the Job Placement Office. Butch Merritt, director of the Job Placement Office, will deliver sessions featuring strategies for getting and keeping a job by focusing on the fundamentals of planning your job search. "This seminar is for anyone who is interested in organizing his or her personal job search plan. We will critique prepared resumes and talk about preparing yourself for the job interview," said Mr. Merritt.

The College welcomes the public to take advantage of the many free mini-sampler courses being offering during this 10-day Open House. Coupon books, good for discounts on many of Tri-County's continuing education courses, will be on hand.

For more information, contact the Mall classroom office at 224-0453 or check the College's web page.
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