Colorado State Sees Increase in Workers Seeking Continuing Education to Compete in Colorado’s Tight Job Market

Despite signs of national recovery, jobs are still difficult to find in Colorado, where workers are increasingly seeking continuing education to contend in the tight labor market. Colorado State University’s professional development and graduate degree programs have shown increases in enrollment for workers who want to stay competitive in the job market and those looking to rejoin the workforce.

Colorado State University’s Denver Professional Center will hold an open house from 4-7 p.m. May 1 at 110 16th Street, on the corner of Broadway and the 16th Street Mall, for the business community to learn more about options for professional development and continuing education in Denver. The event will include a catered reception and is free and open to the public.

The event will provide an opportunity for area professionals to learn more about programs specifically tailored to meet emerging business needs while providing flexibility for demanding schedules.

Included below are highlights of the open house and five professional sessions on current and compelling business topics.

  • 4:15 p.m. – "Successful Job Hunting: It’s More Than Just the Internet" by Brett Beal, assistant director of Employer Relations at Colorado State.
    Although the economy is showing signs of recovery, the job market still is weak. Job hunters often can use guidance in landing a job. This session will provide an interactive environment and helpful suggestions for finding employment in these challenging economic times. Learn tips on how to effectively use the Internet as a research tool, how to market yourself, create and maintain effective networks and how to make a positive impression with potential employers.
  • 4:45 p.m. – "The New Era of Corporate Security and Crisis Management: Where Are You on the Curve?" by Dan Reid, founder and managing director of Paladin International, an international negotiations, security and crisis management firm in Denver.
    Demand for specialized training to combat business security threats has grown tremendously since September. This session will provide participants with three reasons their firm needs security and crisis management planning; five steps to organizational security and crisis management; key issues every manager should know about how to establish a security policy within the organization; and specific steps and recommendations to enhance company and employee security in their company.
  • 5:15 p.m. – "Managerial Malpractice: Alive and Well in the New Millennium" by Anne Maycunich-Gilley, vice president of Trilogy Consulting Group, a performance management consulting firm.
    The "manager from hell" is somebody that most of us have experienced at least once in our careers. This presentation will focus on a phenomenon called managerial malpractice, which occurs when organizations allow practices that produce unprofessional, incompetent managers. Poor management practices are the heart of inadequate performance. So how do organizations prevent managerial malpractice? The process begins with recruiting and selection and continues with performance management.
  • 5:45 p.m. – "Why is it so Hard to get Things Done? How Our Process Management Certificate Can Help" by Vicki Hesse, founding member of Luminesse Solutions in Denver, a management consulting company.
    This presentation focuses on learning to manage an organization as a "whole system" rather than a collection of departments; identifying core processes and clarifying real objectives; using process maps to document, analyze and improve business processes; using the Balanced Scorecard to link strategic objectives to performance management; plan, launch and manage improvement or re-engineering team projects; and how to be a leader in a process-driven company.
  • 6:15 p.m. – "Ten Quick Word and Excel Tips and Tricks to Make Your Job Easier" by Anne Antonelli, founder of Training & Consulting, a technology consulting firm.
    Whether you are a frequent or a new user of Microsoft Word and Excel, the tips and techniques from this presentation will be helpful long after the workshop is over. Colorado State University is dedicated to helping people maximize their bottom line by improving their technology skills.

Colorado State University representatives from admissions, financial aid, academic advising and career services will be on hand to answer questions about participating in the Denver Center’s graduate, professional development and distance programs. Professors also will be available for detailed information about graduate programs, including online programs accessible to Denver professionals. For participants interested in Colorado State athletics, representatives from the athletics office will be selling tickets for upcoming sporting events.

Participants will have the opportunity to network with Denver and regional professionals while receiving information and guidance on career development and continuing education.

The event also will provide an opportunity for alumni to receive information on new program offerings and upcoming events. A special reception will be held for Colorado State alumni during the open house.

For more information about the event and to make arrangements to attend, contact the Denver Professional Center at (303) 573-6318 or visit www.learn.colostate.edu/denver.