WorkSource program tries to make people ready for real world

Cintia Soto, 19, of Pasco, knows exactly how important first impressions can be.

That's something the recent Chiawana High School graduate learned during the three days of Summer Youth Vocational Challenge 2011.

About 70 young adults ages 16 to 21 participated in the WorkSource Columbia Basin program, which is in its seventh year.

A career fair featuring more than 30 employers, including the Red Lion, Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Goodwill Industries of the Columbia, marked the end of the workshop at the Richland Community Center this past week.

Soto said her goal was to end the day with a shot at a job that would help her gain work experience. She plans to attend a cosmetology school and hopes to pay her way through college to earn a business management degree.

Without job experience beyond some seasonal work, Soto said it's difficult to find a job right now.

That's something WorkSource Columbia Basin hopes the donation-supported workshop will help with.

Katie Haney, WorkSource Columbia Basin youth program manager, said young adults must know how to market themselves so employers will chose them over older workers with more experience. So part of the workshop is helping teens identify what skills and experience they have that they can market, such as in volunteer work or baby-sitting, she said.

In the past, some participants have finished the workshop with a job offer, Haney said.

Maggie Morris, human resource manager for the Pasco Lowe's, agreed that young workers face tough competition for entry-level jobs. She was looking for seasonal cashiers and loaders.

Although the general requirement is to be 18 years old, Morris said she's getting applications from overqualified workers. That makes it more difficult for teenagers to compete, she said.

Enthusiasm may end up helping young adults land jobs, she said. She is looking for people who want more than just a paycheck.

Morris was one of the employers on a panel that students questioned earlier this week. She said she already has noticed some growth in the students and has received job applications for some for open positions.

Jessica Anguiano, 21, of Kennewick, was hoping to find a secretary's job in a medical office. And the workshop should help, she said, because it's helped her learn how to present herself.

Anguiano attends Columbia Basin College in Pasco, where she is pursuing an administrative assistant degree. But in the meantime, she needs a job to help pay expenses.

Anguiano said she already earned her medical secretary certification, thanks to suggestions by WorkSource staff. She said WorkSource has helped her with everything from paying for temporary daycare for her 4-month-old daughter, Sofia, to purchasing a professional outfit.

Peter Dragonchuk, 18, of Pasco, also had received some help earlier this year from WorkSource to find a volunteer position at Lourdes Medical Center. His wants to become a pharmacy technician.

Dragonchuk said the program has helped him become more confident. The recent Chiawana High School graduate has been looking for work but hasn't yet found a job yet to help him pay for living expenses and attending CBC.

This story was originally published June 19, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "WorkSource program tries to make people ready for real world ."