#as they're preparing to enter the workforce

[whentherewerebicycles]

ok they said they would send me the prompt sometime today but did not specify when so i am still in PREPARE FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING mode. i finished the first-gen programming book on the plane. there were a handful of very good case studies in there & a few ideas i would love to try implementing, but i feel like those edited collections with a million contributors are inevitably a little uneven and can get a bit repetitive by the end. on the whole though i’m glad i read it and i collected a handful of sources from the bibliography that i’m going to follow up on next.

one of the last case studies in the book was about career services and i found it really interesting... the writers were pointing out that university career services tend to focus a lot on the process of finding a job (resume and cover letter writing, navigating linkedin and job boards, interviewing, etc.) but most institutions don’t do a ton of work on teaching students career management skills - like, how to read a job posting to determine if it’s going to get you where you want to be, or how to proactively identify and develop specific skills in a role even if it’s not your dream job, or how to go back on the job market and find a better match for you if a job doesn’t seem to be aligned with your long-term goals, etc etc. i definitely notice this a lot in my first-gen kids who i do post-grad career support stuff with. like, the jobs they choose to apply to often confuse me because they don’t seem like a good fit for what the student is actually interested in doing, or they’ll stay in a job that isn’t a good fit for too long because they’re unsure about how to make the transition.

we did some work on this in my program -- i had this career trajectory mapping activity where they had to research organizations in their areas of interest, then find a high- or medium-ranking employee there in a leadership position they might interested in doing later in their careers, and then we had this in-class activity where we used people’s linked in profiles to trace their path from college to grad school (if relevant) through the early stages of their career. we made these big maps on the board where we wrote down the job titles the person had held, the way they described their responsibilities in each role, the amount of time they spent at each, the amount of time between promotions, and whether their experience was concentrated in one organization/program or not (and if they moved around if it was laterally within a company or to a new organization). we did a handful of these together in class and then as part of their research portfolios that semester they had to create more maps, one of which had to be for a person they’d set up an informational interview with (so they could use the map to ask more detailed questions about people’s trajectories and get insight into how professionals further along in their careers made decisions about what jobs to take, when to leave, etc.).

ANYWAY i think i could do a LOT more thinking/brainstorming around how to integrate those skills in managing your own career into different curricula... just something i’d be interested in returning to. ooh and also i learned about the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Career Readiness Competencies which i think will be a useful framework if i need to talk about prof dev at any point during the visit.

[karlachismylife]

For the celebration! The Prompt: laying their hand on the other’s leg. The pairing SoapxReader or DammonxReader, you choose! >:3 pls and tyyy

Never ask me to choose again, darling, I'm polyamorous for a reason >< You get both! And also lots of love from me for your support and overall awesomeness <3

Link to the celebration post for anyone interested here!

Emotional Support Dog

John "Soap" MacTavish x gn!civilian!reader

Even the air around you feels charged with anxiety. No amount of meticulously created comfort can tone it down: tucked into the soft corner of your couch, surrounded with pillows, a blanket, a steaming cup and a bowl of snacks to accompany fat stacks of papers to read, you still feel nervous. No one can blame you though: your boss wasn't particularly fair informing you of the upcoming meeting late. Very late. Couple of days before a very important meeting with your place at the company depenging on it - that sort of late.

Goddamn corporate.

So it's not surprising that you're slightly crumbling under pressure to get prepared with all available documentation; maybe they're trying to set you up to be at their mercy or fail, but you're not going down without a fight. Even if the fight makes your knee bounce nervously and the almost-forgotten nail biting come back as your eyes scan one bureaucratic word vomit page after another.

You're so engrossed in the process of absorbing vital information from the bulky speech figures and long columns of numbers that you nearly miss the sound of the apartment door opening and closing - and the one entering isn't even trying to be subtle about it. Poor door suffers a concussion in its core each time it gets slammed shut by the overly excited to be home individual; then follows the jiggling of keys thrown to their place, two hasty thuds of boots being enthusiastically kicked off, and finally - a dramatic pause. Were you a little less busy, you would've already been at the door, right where one hearty hug awaits, arms opened and everything; maybe you would've made him wait on purpose, just to see a sulky pout of an impatient pup light up with pure inner sunlight by your presence; but you can't just pull yourself away from this very important reading.

So in a minute Johnny peeks around the living room entrance, wary expression immediately replaced with a loving glint in the aquatic eyes at the sight of you. In two strides he is already at the sofa, plopping his ass right next to you and nuzzling the side of your face with one, two - three kisses: to the temple buzzing with brainwork, to the soft cheek and to the corner of your sightly frowned mouth.

"Whit are ye doing there, bonnie? Thought ye fell asleep, didnae even come hug me at th' door," here comes the famous pout, eyes full of betrayal boring straight into your soul in hopes of coaxing more kisses and cuddles. Would've definitely worked.

If not for the bloody headache fussing over this goddamn meeting planted into your skull.

You open your mouth with a sigh, planning to answer him - you're going to hug and kiss him alright, just a second, you just have to finish this paragraph, so wordy and inhumanely written that you almost don't doubt it was done by a real person - to deliberately make every reader's of this file head explode. An efficient way to balance the workforce market.

Soap, however, reads into your frowny silence and immediately smells that something's wrong. And it very much might be his fault - even though he did the dishes, took you to your favourite Italian on the weekend, showed impeccable restraint when a guy at the parking lot ran his mouth at you (that prick was lucky Johnny didn't want to start the date with a fight: "Ye better thank tis guardian angel 'ere fur haudin' me back, or ah'd teach ye a lesson, ye sod," - all said with a firm hand placed on the small of your back while you glared at the mouthy motherfucker), folded the laund- oh shite. It was the laundry, wasn't it?

"Bonnie, ye're nae angry at me, are ye?" Johnny tilts his head, trying to catch a direct glimpse at you, and almost shoves himself between you and your reading, squeezing in more kisses. "Ah'll dae th' laundry, ah promise, must've forgotten-" - you finally blink and emerge from your hyperfocused state, immediately cupping the Scot's worried face and planting a loud smooch on his nose.

"I'm not angry... not at you, at least," you give him an apologetic kiss on his pouty lips and look back down at the paper in your lap. "It's just work. Gotta read all this or I'll be in trouble, boss gave me a really short notice this time. It's like they're trying to set me up... sorry for ignoring you, sunshine."

Initial relief on Johnny's face that showed there when you confirmed he didn't get on your bad side (he did fold the laudry after all, just managed to forget that he did) gets replaced with a concerned look once again. Leaning back a bit, he gauges the stacks of papers laid out on the coffee table in front of you and furrows his full brows.

"'N' how long ye 'ave tae read all tis?" - "The meeting's two days away, morning." You rub your neck with another exasperated sigh, and a much larger hand, warm and calloused, comes up to do it for you, squeezing the sore spots and making you shudder as it forces the knots away. How long have you been sitting here, hunched over the papers?

"Steamin' Jesus, tha's a lot of reading tae dae," he mutters, squinting to try and make something out of the corporate gibberish - and inevitably failing. With a sigh, Johnny reserves to kissing your temple again. "Well, shite, nae lik' ye 'ave much choice, dae ye? Wanntae 'ave pasta fur dinner? Ah'll cook."

With a confirming nod and a grateful grunt from you, already deep in the papers again, he raises from the couch that creaks with relief, but then pauses and sits right back down. His big hand finds its way to your leg, squeezing your knee reassuringly and stopping the jittering with warm, heavy weight. You lift your eyes once again, meeting his bluest ones with a net of crow's feet around them, nothing but warmth towards you. This sight makes breathing, constricted by the pressure put on you by the situation, easier.

"Ye got tis, aye, bonnie? Ah ken ye got tis. Ye gonnae show 'em."

With a pat, meant to gently hammer in this confidence in case you were still worrying and doubting yourself, Johnny finally gets up, and your knee immediately feels cold without his big paw on it.

"Ah'll go start th' dinner, and ye holler if ye need anything, aye? Ah heard snoggin's good fur yer brains."

Of course he did. Bloody rascal with his innocent blue eyes winking at you and calming your wired self down. Well, why refuse such considerate service when offered?

Forged Under the Stars

Dammon x gn!reader

The cool of the night yields under the relentless burning of several campfires and torches lighting the clearing your celebratory party takes place at, their heat amplified by mulled wine and other drinks generously shared between everyone present. Sitting close to one of the campfires, you quietly observe folks with genuine smiles on their faces that only add to the pleasant warmth in your chest. It's nice, you think, seeing them relax and shrug off the heavy weight of barely avoided danger. They deserve this small moment of peace and quiet among impending doom, and so do you.

Drunken laughter at one of the barrels people gather for the good ale distracts you, your curiousity piqued as you lazily try to make out what caused the whistling and hooting - some brave soul trying to compete against others in absorbing a humongous mug in one go, perhaps? Whatever it is, it keeps your attention long enough for someone to stumble a bit clumsily and seat themself down with a quiet "oof", warm knee nudging your leg in an accidental move before the person straightens up. Snapping your eyes to the right, you can't help the wide smile tugging at your lips.

"Hello to you too, Dammon," you raise your clay mug as a greeting, taking in the view. The blacksmith doesn't look too out of it, but he's clearly tipsy - you aren't surprised, he does give off the impression of someone easily getting lightheaded from a drink or two. Even the warm orange hue of the campfire can't hide cute rosy blush on his cheeks and pointy eartips; neither manages he to conceal a certain glint in his bright glowing eyes.

"Sorry," he mumbles, probably referring to his clumsy landing, but you just shake your head - he didn't even really disturb you, holding up quite well. Same can't be said for everyone: with another glance around, you notice a completely plastered tiefling maiden try and dance with Wyll, who ends up catching her and preventing a fall after fall for the giggling girl. A quiet rustling from behind alerts you, but even without looking you realize it's just Dammon's tail getting restless, usual reserved attitude lifted by ale or whatever he was drinking.

You two sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the party and stealing glances at each other, smiles widening and chuckles escaping when you catch each other looking - after one of these accidental eye contacts Dammon and you burst out in particularly loud fits of laughter, leaning forward and shaking your heads. Alcohol makes it so much funnier, fuzzy, pleasant feelings coiling like furry cats in your stomachs.

"Gods above, I haven't laughed like that for a long time," Dammon sits back up and tilts his head back, inhaling fresh night air and watching the night sky. His vision makes the stars shine brighter, and while you watch him instead of the nightsky, you think you see the celestial bodies swirling in his eyes, reflected as if they were a crysral clear lake.

"Not much laughter in Avernus, eh?" Your slightly intoxicated tongue works faster than your brain, and you immediately stutter, cursing yourself for bringing The Descent - of all things, damn it! - up. "Sorry, didn't mean to..."

"It's alright. I know what you meant," Dammon's smile doesn't falter and he tears his gaze away from the sky to look at you. Maybe it's a play of the flickering flame you sit at, but it seems as if his eyes only shine brighter when looking at you. "And you're right, that wasn't... although there was this one time..."

He briefly checks if you're listening and goes off - waving his mug, unusually expressive and talkative, clearly encouraged when you prop your cheek on your palm and listen on. Maybe you don't quite keep up with the amout of terms and unkown words his slurred speech is littered with, but you still laugh, when he puffs his blushing cheeks, reenacting the way some poor apprentice thrown into his forge held a heavy anvil and tried to use it as a hammer when they ran out of those (how does a forge run out of hammers? why yes, of course, when a whole squadron of unprepared for battle soldiers swarms it and takes everything and anything they can use as a weapon. yes, the firepokers too.)

At the sound of your laughter, loud and unbothered, Dammon pauses with his antics and turns back into his shy self, holding his breath and drinking in the sight of you with a surprisingly sober shine to his eyes. Your fit of giggles dies down, when you feel a warm hand on your thigh, barely squeezing, long tiefling claws carfully denting the skin underneath your clothing.

"Thank you," sincerely whispers Dammon, looking at you like you've hung the moon in the skies and lit up the fire in his forge, "for everything. For this night."

He leans in closer, lips slightly parted, something else dancing on the tip of his tongue, something he can't brace himself to say out loud. You smile, covering his palm with yours - his is strong, warm, a hand of someone working hard, rough and with visible burns from accidental sparks scorching through the protective mittens. It startles Dammon, fingers twitching and squeezig a bit harder before he lets go of your leg and moves his eyes away. His ears slowly start glowing brighter, tail swishing behind you and nearly swatting your bum - turns out, it almost coiled around your waits while you two were sitting next to each other.

Unwilling to let his bashfulness to get in the way, you catch Dammon's hand before it slips away and hold it gently, allowing to rest on your thigh again, your fingers almost intertwined.

"I'm glad you're here," there's enough courage in you for the both of you, added in liquid form or coming to you naturally - doesn't matter. Dammon's shy smile grazes his lips once again, and he finally allows his tail to wrap around your seated form, carefully, ready to pull away if you show any signs of discomfort.

You don't.

"I hope we see each other again," with your support, Dammon allows his thoughts to spill out. It's a little bittersweet, a reminder that the celebration will eventually come to an end and you both will have to move on, heavy burdens on both of your shoulders. But maybe, just maybe the knowledge that wherever life chucks you, if there's a forge nearby, you might see a familiar face - maybe that knowledge lifts the weight just a little bit.

After all, this blacksmith has some fine, strong shoulders you can lean on.

If you know anything about the Faerûn traditions, it's that lovespoons are carved out of wood. Unlike that little forged one that you find among your posessions the next morning.

[cinderella-ish]

Adulting: What did everyone do after the curse broke?

So, I have a LOT of headcanons as to what the different characters did after the curse broke. We do get several answers in Another, but for the answers we don't get, here's what I think happened!

Tohru: I don't think the specific nature of her job would be terribly important to her, so much as just entering into the workforce. From her outfit in the Prelude epilogue, it seems like she's not doing manual labor (like cleaning, which was what I initially thought she'd be doing, since she had experience). I wonder if she's an employee at a school; her colleague kind of looks like an elementary or middle school teacher to me. I don't think Tohru would be able to teach without further education, and she was very clear that she did not want to pursue further study. I'm not sure if Japan has classified staff/paraprofessionals or an equivalent, but I think she'd be amazing at that job. I also think she probably became a stay-at-home parent as soon as she and Kyo had the means for her to do so.

Kyo: we know he became a karate instructor, and I just bet he's a fabulous teacher. I think him eventually taking over the Sohma dojo would be a full circle moment for both him and the Sohma family.

Saki: I can honestly see a lot of different jobs for her. Some favorites that I've seen in fanfic are art gallery employee, ghost hunter, and food critic. I have her becoming a hairstylist in Bloom Within Us, after attending beauty school through correspondence. Her clients ADORE her and she uses her wave-reading to make sure they're satisfied and tell them anything they really need to hear. It's common for appointments to end with her clients crying and hugging her because she's just healed some childhood wound of theirs. I could also see her becoming a ritual mortician, preparing the departed for their funeral (which would include hair, makeup, etc...) I think she'd be really good at working with grieving families and getting the deceased to look just right.

Arisa: she worked to put herself through junior college after she moved in with Kureno (though they had the money, she insisted on doing it for herself), and became a nurse in elder care. She makes friends with the crankiest old folks and cries like a baby when one of them dies.

Yuki: I shared in my Yuki headcanons post that I see Yuki going into politics and eventually working in international relations. I see him wanting to see the world far outside of the Sohma estate.

Machi: I always pictured her becoming an accountant.

Kakeru: we know he goes to college, and that he wants to help Komaki's family with their business, so I always assumed he'd major in something that would help with that. Maybe business management?

Momiji: we know he went on to take over his father's corporation. In my Momiji headcanons post, I shared that I see him going to university in Germany, and getting his MBA (or the equivalent). I think he'd need to know this before beginning his third year, so I suspect his father sat him down at some point during his second year to bring up the possibility of taking over his business, and told Momiji of his intent to "adopt" him so he could officially be part of their family again without raising his mother's suspicions (in Japan, it's common for CEOs to adopt their successors). I think this is what would've led Momiji to pursue business instead of music. I do think music is probably still a huge part of his life; I suspect he still plays violin casually, and he probably has a season subscription to orchestras in both Tokyo and Berlin (or wherever the German branch of his father's company is).

Kagura: she studied childcare, and I actually think that's a spectacular fit for her. When she's not being a total yandere over Kyo, she's a very nurturing and big-sisterly character.

Rin: so, I think Rin would continue to have major health problems for the rest of her life, and would probably struggle to find work that accommodates her needs and doesn't trigger any of her stress-related symptoms. I think she'd have short stints in a few jobs, like maybe retail, or modeling, or something artistic or design-y, but eventually I could see her just taking commissions for her own artwork when she feels like it. She seems like someone who wants very badly to contribute, and I think it would take a lot for her to accept that her body won't let her work full-time or on someone else's schedule, but Haru (and all her friends) would gently encourage her to take better care of herself, and at some point I think she'd accept that working for someone else just isn't sustainable for her long-term. (Though, pregnancy would also be extremely risky for her, and I'm surprised they had kids, let alone TWINS.)

Haru: I love that he does metalwork and makes most of his own accessories, so I always imagine him continuing that. I could also see him picking up odd jobs (like dog-walking? why does that seem like something he'd do?) from time to time. I think an independent, artisan-type job would suit him best.

Kisa and Hiro: most of the fandom seems to have Kisa becoming a teacher and Hiro becoming a lawyer, and those are absolutely perfect jobs for them.

Ritsu and Mitsuru: I like to imagine that Ritsu goes to work for Ayame, specializing in styling traditional clothing. This is how Ritsu comes back around to wearing whatever tf he wants, which ends up being a mix of "women's" kimonos and more flamboyant menswear (like his idol, Ayame). He and Mitsuru do eventually get married, and Mitsuru's the one who ends up running the onsen, because that girl deserves to relax!!!

Ayame, Mine, Shigure, Akito, Hatori, and Mayu: we mostly know what these characters do as of Another, and I don't have a ton to add except for Mayu (see below).

Megumi: Since we know Megumi becomes a teacher at Kaibara, I also headcanon that Mayu's still a much-loved teacher at Kaibara in Another, and that she and Megumi are work besties who like to mess with Makoto Takei when he's being especially obnoxious. I also headcanon that Mayu eventually introduces him to his future wife, since we know he likes older women.

Kureno: I imagine he'd become someone else's assistant; even better if he can work from home.

Yusuke and Hiroshi: In Bloom Within Us, Yusuke helps his dad run a grocery they own, and Hiroshi becomes a doctor (GP). I think, if I were only going off canon and not the elaborate backstories I created for them, I could imagine Hiroshi being someone who emcees events (almost a la Ryan Seacrest? but on a much smaller scale) and Yusuke I could see working at a University as like, a freshman advisor or residence life director. Basically someone who makes sure everyone's adjusting well to the campus and who people can go to with questions. I could actually see both of them doing this.

Kimi and Nao: side note, I kind of ship these two? But anyway, I can see Nao becoming a very stressed out CEO or (more likely) director of a non-profit, and I can totally see Kimi as someone whose job it is to secure donations for that non-profit, which she absolutely does by flirting with prospective donors. They'd be almost frighteningly effective when working together...

What do you think? Did I miss anyone?

Also, I almost used the scene where Tohru imagines their future together while at Kyoko's grave for the header image, but it made me cry, so...

[olderthannetfic]

Anon from 722398181104795649 again about YA as a G-D and it's failure(s). Your response is really interesting because it definitely aligns with the market research I've had to do over the last 3-ish months for work. Adult YA readers want YA to skew older superficially as escapism from the woes of adulthood (It's like someone who orders a pasta with broccoli in it because they appreciate the flavor it brings, but they have no interest in actually eating their vegetables). Teenagers feel alienated by the G-D that is meant for them no longer allows them to confront said woes with honesty or maturity for their age to prepare them for adulthood or discussing broader ideas. More teenagers skip over YA altogether or just reader adult genre fiction with some Middle Grade fiction mixed in because the teenagers feel in MG, there's still an honesty to the stories that they can understand, having once been young children. In short: teenagers think YA books are talking down to or patronizing them.

The result is YA authors pushing for NA, New Adult, as a G-D, which hasn't taken off within tradpub outside of romance circles. Mostly, because what they're pushing for is already an established genre for around a century: campus novels--books about characters 18+ who are entering college, establishing independence, beginning to explore sexuality and enter the workforce, etc. But, again, YA adult readers refuse to engage with adult genre fiction because there isn't the facade of protection from adult themes or topics, and there's an aggressive refusal among many agents in literary fiction (and some adult genre fiction) to encourage authors to sanitize their stories. YA authors began attempting to cross over into adult genre fiction with mixed, but overwhelmingly negative, results, as they cannot shake the stigma of writing YA. And the genre fiction crowds they want to appeal to have higher standards, typically, than the average YA writer is able to meet. YA authors then complain about the differences in publishing YA and genre adult fiction. It's like when MCU actors and directors get upset when prestige film directors don't consider MCU movies to be "cinema."

--

This is fascinating.

I pretty much missed the YA boom (slightly too old, not paying attention, etc.), so I've mostly encountered YA through its worst evangelists of the Hunger Games knockoff era, and often a good bit after their favorite books were at their height.

As I've said before, this really strikes me as that pattern where something is big when you're at a formative age, and it becomes the Normal Default to you.

I'm sure some of it is refusal to engage with adult nuance, but I'll bet a lot of it is resistance to leaving the name of YA behind. People spent so much time defending this niche that they started believing their own rhetoric about it being the only place the good queer stuff was or the feminist stuff was or whatever. They identified really strongly as A YA Fan. It's hard to let that go.

And if you don't remember much about pre-YA boom publishing, the fact that all that YA-tastic Mercedes Lackey stuff was filed under fantasy, not YA is completely obscure. The places you find stuff you'd like that aren't called "YA" are not obvious. The fact that YA in its boom era form isn't universal and eternal is not obvious.

I think people are waiting for their Cool Era of their early 20s to return and for the things they think should always be in fashion to come back... Like everyone else aging ungracefully, they may be waiting a while.

Gotta say, every New Adult book I've been shown sounds like a hideously boring contemporary romance that would probably make a good coffee shop AU against a backdrop of a canon that's dark or magical but that isn't really pulling its weight even if you like contemporaries.

[beeinyourbreadbox]

Okay I'm shamelessly wading back into my Hunger Games era to tell you all one of my FAVORITE details from the book. I'm a writer so like, the things that catch my attention in books tend to be a bit 'strange' .

Anyway my point here is that one of my personal FAVORITE small moments with HUGE implications in the book is Finnick knowing CPR while Katniss is so unfamiliar with it she actually thinks he's kissing Peeta's dead corpse at first. This is a funny little scene but dude. Okay. Katniss mentions in this scene that she's seen her mother do CPR once or twice, but that the types of patients she deals with in 12 are usually victims of starvation, mining accidents, etc. The types of ailments and death that are most common in 12 aren't the kind that chest compressions will help with, so it's pretty much an irrelevant technique in that particular district.

But what's even MORE interesting than that and the thing my brain latched on to like a squeaky toy is that district four's industry is fishing. Of course, the most obvious conclusion here is that CPR is more common due to higher drowning rates. They're the ocean district. But to go a little deeper, I would be willing to bet that not only Finnick knows CPR, but that it's probably a required part of schooling in district 4. This is basically head cannon territory but I'm basing it completely on details from the books. So here we go

We know that in each Hunger Games district, pretty much the entire culture and function is based off of whatever industry that particular district is primarily responsible for. In 12, many of the school classes focus on coal and coal production, the children are taken on yearly field trips down into the mines, etc.

So in district 4, which is also a career district, I would bet dollars to fucking donuts that swimming and water safety classes+CPR are a standard part of the curriculum. You probably aren't allowed to graduate and enter the workforce in district 4 unless you can demonstrate at least basic swimming abilities and understanding of how to save someone from drowning. I imagine it's probably a very similar program to lifeguard type training in real-life.

Just. Look up a video of newborn swim training for me, okay? The thing where they basically throw a baby in the water and let them resurface? And then imagine that every single parent in district 4 does that or at least it's a cultural norm. Baby Finnick being borderline waterboarded at birth to prepare him to survive. Just. That image makes me giggle a lot for some reason. Also water births are probably the norm in 4. That just feels correct.

There's not really a point to this post I'm just OBSESSED with Suzanne Collin's subtle world-building and how easy she makes it to fill in the blanks. Like. I don't know if any of what I've said here is cannon but it would make COMPLETE sense

[sprocketsmusings]

I'm about halfway through my training for work (which started in February) and now that I'm thinking about it that way, I'm feeling pretty good about it.

I have 18 months to get certified (from date of hire) and knowing the areas where I need some work - I'm actually not in a bad place.

It's a weird feeling to be able to look at myself and accurately assess that yea, I'm right where I need to be. My learning level and skillset are on par with the path. Like... whoa. Not that I don't stress out a little from time to time, but it isn't nearly as consuming as it was before. I'm not beating up on myself. I'm not thinking I'm just going to completely fail and bite it. I've already made some mistakes (one of which being a semi-serious one) and it turned out ok!

What is this? An ounce of confidence? WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!

It does help that the higher-ups asked for my feedback on the classes and straining so far. AND I GAVE IT. They were kind too like "Don't worry too much about it, just a few pointers if you think of anything would be helpful." -Out I come with a small report because they don't realize I LIVE FOR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND QA-

I'm in an environment where there's a great transition underway. Most of the employees have been there for 20+ years and they're all steadily reaching retirement age. Meanwhile, there's been some churning in turnover for the positions that do open up, so they do have an opportunity to make things a little easier for people coming on so they'll stay.

Because it has not been easy.. because there's no real linear references for ANYTHING. There is a lot of asking around and depending on institutional knowledge of the workforce that has been there, which could quickly become lost. So I'm hoping they're able to capture some of that and make things easier for people who are coming on.

At least a little... because the beast of this job is that so much does live in a grey area, to where there is no amount of reading, how-to guides, or FAQs that will prepare you for everything you can encounter. So the other part is learning how to be ok with tripping and asking for help from others.

...

This job has been a complete shake-up for me in all the things I have had issues with.

Peopling

Confrontation

Making mistakes/being corrected

Not being able to just straight-up study my way through

There is still a ton of studying, but this job is the perfect mix of book smarts and street smarts all in one. And at least right now it seems to be a good fit for me. As much of an introvert I am, I do enjoy popping in and helping people out with something that is usually a very scary and stressful experience for them. Then afterwards I can hide away and enter in reports. It's a good balance.

But I'm thankful that I not only get to learn some more nerdy things, but I also get to grow as a person in ways I didn't think I would be able to.

[tempwork247]

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As a leading staffing agency in New York, TempWork247 specializes in providing comprehensive recruitment solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and job seekers across various industries. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to excellence, TempWork247 has emerged as the go-to destination for companies seeking top talent and individuals seeking rewarding employment opportunities.

Employment agencies play a pivotal role in today's dynamic job market by connecting employers with qualified candidates efficiently and effectively. TempWork247 understands the unique challenges facing businesses in New York, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and offers customized staffing solutions to address their specific workforce requirements. Whether it's temporary staffing, direct hire placements, or temp-to-hire arrangements, TempWork247 leverages its extensive network and industry expertise to deliver top-notch talent that drives business success.

For employers, partnering with TempWork247 means gaining access to a vast pool of pre-screened candidates who have been rigorously vetted to ensure they possess the skills, experience, and cultural fit necessary to excel within their organizations. TempWork247's team of seasoned recruiters works closely with clients to understand their hiring needs and develop tailored recruitment strategies that yield tangible results. From sourcing and screening candidates to facilitating interviews and managing onboarding processes, TempWork247 handles every aspect of the hiring process with professionalism and efficiency, allowing employers to focus on their core business objectives.

Similarly, for job seekers, TempWork247 serves as a trusted ally in their quest for meaningful employment opportunities. Whether they're seeking temporary assignments to gain experience, exploring new career paths, or looking for permanent positions with leading companies, TempWork247 offers a wide range of job opportunities across various industries and skill levels. By leveraging its extensive network of employer connections and industry insights, TempWork247 helps job seekers find the right opportunities that align with their career goals and aspirations.

One of the key advantages of working with TempWork247 is its commitment to fostering long-term relationships built on trust, integrity, and mutual success. Unlike traditional job search methods, which can be time-consuming and often yield unpredictable results, TempWork247 provides job seekers with access to exclusive job openings and insider knowledge that can give them a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, TempWork247's personalized approach to recruitment ensures that candidates receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their job search journey, from resume writing and interview preparation to career coaching and professional development resources.

In conclusion, TempWork247 stands out as a premier employment agency in New York, offering comprehensive staffing solutions that empower businesses and job seekers to thrive in today's competitive job market. With its proven track record of success, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence, TempWork247 is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of employers and job seekers alike, one placement at a time.

[minediamonds]

@dcrkfcngs wanted a starter Zekedo & Hoa!

Hoa sighs. She's got a ton of papers and tests coming up and she doesn't feel prepared for any of them. "Remind me why I thought college was a good idea...." She says to her companion with a chuckle.

Of course, it will probably all be worth it once she graduates, gets her degree, and enters the workforce. But for now, she's stressed out and not loving the experience. "What are you studying?" She asks, just making conversation. But she is genuinely curious. She always likes to hear about what people are learning about. Her best friend Persephone has always wondered why Hoa didn't study English as well. And Hoa does have it as a minor. But her major is communications. To her, they're similar. Both involve communicating with the world. But her classes are different than those that Persephone takes, and the former are, in Hoa's view, much more stressful. So perhaps her friend is right. Oh well.

It's too late for Hoa to change her major now. And she's pretty sure once she gets these papers done and finishes studying for these tests she'll be fine. But until then, she'll probably complain at least a bit. "I'm Hoa, by the way. Hoa Nguyen. Sophomore in college, communications major, English minor. Lover of writing and all forms of storytelling." She smiles brightly. That last part sounds a bit like something one would write on a dating app, not that Hoa is trying to date the other person. But it does sound like what one would write in a profile to entice potential partners. At least, to Hoa it does. It might not work on everyone, but it would definitely work on her. Hopefully that doesn't mean the other person will think Hoa's trying to flirt with him. That would be awkward, as she's not really good at it.

[pavithracbe1]

Innovative Sourcing: Train and Hire Success

In today's dynamic business landscape, the quest for top talent is more competitive than ever. Companies are constantly seeking innovative solutions to bridge skill gaps and meet evolving industry demands. One such solution gaining traction is the concept of Train and Hire, a strategic approach that not only addresses immediate hiring needs but also invests in the long-term growth and development of employees.

Addressing Skill Shortages

Skill shortages are a common challenge faced by businesses across various sectors. Traditional hiring methods often struggle to fill these gaps efficiently. Here's where Train and Hire programs come into play. By partnering with reputable training providers like Mazenet, companies can identify promising candidates and provide them with targeted training to align their skills with specific job requirements. This proactive approach not only ensures a more seamless integration into the workforce but also contributes to a more skilled and adaptable workforce overall.

Cultivating Talent Pipelines

Train and Hire initiatives are not just about filling immediate vacancies; they're about building robust talent pipelines for the future. By investing in training and development programs, companies like Mazenet are nurturing a pool of skilled professionals who are not only equipped to meet current demands but also prepared to tackle future challenges. This forward-thinking approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth within the organization, positioning it for long-term success.

Enhancing Employee Retention

Employee turnover can be costly and disruptive for businesses. By offering training opportunities as part of the hiring process, companies can enhance employee satisfaction and retention. When employees feel valued and supported in their professional development, they are more likely to remain loyal to their employer. Mazenet's comprehensive training programs not only empower employees with the skills they need to succeed but also instill a sense of loyalty and commitment to the organization.

Driving Business Agility

In today's fast-paced business environment, agility is key to staying ahead of the curve. Train and Hire programs enable companies to adapt quickly to changing market dynamics by equipping employees with the skills needed to pivot and innovate as needed. Whether it's adopting new technologies or entering new markets, a skilled and adaptable workforce is essential for driving business growth and staying competitive.

Conclusion

Innovative sourcing strategies like Train and Hire offer a win-win solution for both employers and employees. By partnering with trusted training providers like Mazenet, companies can effectively address skill shortages, cultivate talent pipelines, enhance employee retention, and drive business agility. In a rapidly evolving marketplace, investing in the development of talent is not just a strategic advantage – it's a necessity for long-term success.

[internationalrealestatenews]

[ad_1] Renting as a Millennial: The Challenges and Benefits this Era Faces Renting has turn out to be the norm for a lot of millennials. As this era enters the workforce, they're confronted with a singular set of challenges and benefits in terms of discovering and sustaining rental lodging. From excessive housing prices to versatile dwelling preparations, let's delve into the important thing elements that form the millennial renting expertise. One of the vital important challenges millennials face when renting is the ever-rising housing prices. With the rise in demand and restricted provide, reasonably priced leases have gotten more durable to search out. Many millennials encounter monetary pressure as a consequence of scholar mortgage repayments, which additional provides to the issue of discovering reasonably priced housing choices. This case typically results in the phenomenon often called "lease burden," the place a majority of a millennial's earnings is allotted in direction of lease, leaving little room for different monetary objectives comparable to saving for a down fee on a house. Moreover, the dearth of secure employment alternatives and low wages could make the renting expertise much more difficult for millennials. Lots of them battle to safe well-paying jobs, notably within the wake of financial uncertainties, thus making it tough to fulfill the necessities and expectations of landlords. This case typically forces millennials to lease in much less fascinating neighborhoods or to reside with roommates to share the monetary burden. Moreover, the rise of the gig financial system has led to a shift in the way in which millennials method housing. The pliability and independence offered by gig work have fueled a need for extra short-term and versatile dwelling preparations. This has given rise to co-living areas and subletting alternatives that cater particularly to this era's wants. Co-living areas, for instance, provide shared dwelling areas and facilities, fostering a way of neighborhood and decreasing the monetary burden of renting an entire condo. Regardless of the various challenges, there are additionally benefits that millennials expertise within the rental market. Mobility is without doubt one of the major benefits, as renting permits for larger flexibility, making it simpler to relocate for profession alternatives or private development. Not like earlier generations, millennials usually tend to prioritize experiences and profession development over homeownership, and renting permits them to adapt to altering circumstances extra simply. Renting additionally gives millennials with the chance to construct a stronger credit score historical past, an important facet in terms of securing future loans, comparable to a mortgage. Constantly paying lease on time and taking good care of a rental property can exhibit monetary accountability, which may positively affect their credit score rating and total monetary credibility. Furthermore, renting permits millennials to check totally different neighborhoods earlier than committing to a long-term funding. This helps them assess which space aligns finest with their way of life, preferences, and social circles. It additionally permits them to discover totally different cities, which could be important for profession development, networking, and private improvement. In conclusion, renting as a millennial presents each challenges and benefits. The excessive housing prices, restricted provide, and monetary strains make it more and more robust for this era to safe reasonably priced and fascinating leases. Nonetheless, the pliability, mobility, and credit-building alternatives provided by renting offers millennials the prospect to discover their choices, acquire invaluable experiences, and adapt to altering circumstances. Whereas the dream of homeownership could seem distant for a lot of, millennials are taking advantage of their renting experiences and discovering artistic options to navigate the challenges they face within the rental market.

[callmedarthrevan]

I think it's kinda crazy that we have seperate labor protections for children and adults. Like, I get that there are some things that children need specifically (for instance someone who is not grown probably shouldnt be doing ladder work) but most things that apply to children are also good for adults. In the state of Oregon, employers are required to give adult employees 10 minute breaks minimum, and 15 minute long breaks for minors. I think everyone needs 15 minute breaks, personally. 10 isnt enough for anything. Children are protected from working too long, from doing too many hours while they're in school, etc. Stuff like that should maybe also apply to adults, with the caveat that they should be compensated enough to live with those restrictions.

College students taking a full load should never have to work more than 20 hours a week to survive. Maybe not at all, honestly. The idea that since college primarily benefits the person going to it they should pay to go is stupid. People should be paid money to go to college because they are improving society by learning (in theory), or they are generating knowledge, or they are preparing to enter the workforce. Grad students get paid to TA, or to run labs, and in my personal opinion students should also be paid to work in those labs and train under them.

[sryyguhjikuibg]

Writing a Restaurant Business Plan

Writing a business plan can be a daunting task, but with the help of an AI-powered business plan template, the process can be made much easier. By automating some of the more tedious tasks involved in creating a business plan, you can save yourself plenty of time and energy. So if you're looking to start or grow a restaurants near me business, don't hesitate to use an AI-powered business plan template to get started!

Purpose of the Restaurant Business Plan

A business plan is a document that helps entrepreneurs outline their business goals and strategies. A restaurant business plan should include the following:

1. Business overview

2. Financial analysis

3. Market analysis

4. SWOT analysis

5. Operation plan

6. Marketing strategy

7. Staffing plan

8. Expansion plan

Company Profile

The following is a company profile for the blog section of an article entitled "Writing a Restaurant Business Plan."

Name:

Location:

Industry: Food Service

Established Date:

Annual Revenue: $

The food service industry is one of the most popular, with billions of dollars in annual revenue. This makes it one of the most lucrative industries to start in. In order to succeed in this industry, you'll need to have a well-developed business plan. This restaurant business plan guide will help you write one that will put your business on the map.

Facilities and Equipment

When starting a restaurant business, one of the first things you will need is a place to serve your food. The space may be derelict or unused, but it must be clean and in good condition.

Once you have your space, you'll need to determine what kind of equipment you'll need. A commercial kitchen can be expensive to buy, but it can also be a source of revenue. Consider purchasing used equipment if possible.

You'll also need to consider other facilities, such as an oven, refrigerator and freezer. Make sure your kitchen is well-lit and has enough counter space for preparing food.

If you're planning on hiring staff, you'll need to factor in salaries and benefits into your business plan. Also keep in mind insurance requirements and health and safety regulations.

Marketing and Sales Plans

It is no secret that the restaurant business is a crowded and competitive one. Anyone entering the field must contend with fierce competition from established restaurants, as well as newcomers who are looking to break into the industry.

To be successful in the restaurant business, you'll need a marketing and sales plan that takes into account your target market, your product or services, and your budget.

Here's a look at some key components of a marketing and sales plan for a restaurant:

1. Market research: Before you launch any marketing or sales efforts, it's important to understand your audience. This involves conducting market research to identify who dines out in restaurants, what they're interested in, and what they're willing to pay.

2. Target market segmentation: Once you know who your target market is, you need to target them specifically with marketing campaigns that resonate with their interests and values. Segmenting your market this way will help you focus on the right customers and invest less money in wasted effort.

3. Pricing strategy: Determining prices for your menu items is an important step in creating a successful marketing and sales plan. You need to make sure that you're offering value for what you charge

Labor and Employment Policies

When writing a chinese food near me business plan, it is important to consider the policies and practices that may impact the labor force. Some of the key considerations include:

-Minimum wage laws

-Employee scheduling policies

-Unionization rates

-Allowances and bonuses

-Paid time off

Each of these policies can have a significant impact on your restaurant's overall profitability and workforce management. By understanding what is required of establishments in each state, you can ensure that your business operates lawfully and effectively while benefiting from a qualified and motivated staff.

[tempwork247]

Your Gateway to Seamless Employment Solutions

In the ever-evolving landscape of the job market, navigating the complexities of employment can be a daunting task for both employers and job seekers alike. In the bustling metropolis of New York, where opportunities abound but competition is fierce, having a reliable partner in the form of a staffing agency is essential. Enter TempWork247, a premier employment agency dedicated to bridging the gap between talent and opportunity in the heart of the Big Apple.

As a leading staffing agency in New York, TempWork247 specializes in providing comprehensive recruitment solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and job seekers across various industries. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to excellence, TempWork247 has emerged as the go-to destination for companies seeking top talent and individuals seeking rewarding employment opportunities.

Employment agencies play a pivotal role in today's dynamic job market by connecting employers with qualified candidates efficiently and effectively. TempWork247 understands the unique challenges facing businesses in New York, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, and offers customized staffing solutions to address their specific workforce requirements. Whether it's temporary staffing, direct hire placements, or temp-to-hire arrangements, TempWork247 leverages its extensive network and industry expertise to deliver top-notch talent that drives business success.

For employers, partnering with TempWork247 means gaining access to a vast pool of pre-screened candidates who have been rigorously vetted to ensure they possess the skills, experience, and cultural fit necessary to excel within their organizations. TempWork247's team of seasoned recruiters works closely with clients to understand their hiring needs and develop tailored recruitment strategies that yield tangible results. From sourcing and screening candidates to facilitating interviews and managing onboarding processes, TempWork247 handles every aspect of the hiring process with professionalism and efficiency, allowing employers to focus on their core business objectives.

Similarly, for job seekers, TempWork247 serves as a trusted ally in their quest for meaningful employment opportunities. Whether they're seeking temporary assignments to gain experience, exploring new career paths, or looking for permanent positions with leading companies, TempWork247 offers a wide range of job opportunities across various industries and skill levels. By leveraging its extensive network of employer connections and industry insights, TempWork247 helps job seekers find the right opportunities that align with their career goals and aspirations.

One of the key advantages of working with TempWork247 is its commitment to fostering long-term relationships built on trust, integrity, and mutual success. Unlike traditional job search methods, which can be time-consuming and often yield unpredictable results, TempWork247 provides job seekers with access to exclusive job openings and insider knowledge that can give them a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, TempWork247's personalized approach to recruitment ensures that candidates receive ongoing support and guidance throughout their job search journey, from resume writing and interview preparation to career coaching and professional development resources.

In conclusion, TempWork247 stands out as a premier employment agency in New York, offering comprehensive staffing solutions that empower businesses and job seekers to thrive in today's competitive job market. With its proven track record of success, industry expertise, and commitment to excellence, TempWork247 is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives of employers and job seekers alike, one placement at a time.

[kayla1993-world]

Yukon has 2 cases of COVID-19 omicron variant, says acting chief medical officer

Yukon is now reporting its first two cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant in the territory. "We anticipated this. We were prepared and this has been very well-managed by the excellent staff at Yukon Communicable Disease Control," said Dr. Catherine Elliott, the territory's acting chief medical officer.

The announcement was made as officials gave an update Wednesday morning on COVID-19 in the Yukon. The news conference was held by Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee alongside Elliott. Elliott said the omicron cases are contained right now, but added people should be "prudent and cautious" as the holidays approach.

"As we enter the holiday season, we have moderate levels of COVID activity already in the territory with the delta variant and we have the arrival of omicron amongst two individuals," she said, adding more information on holiday guidance will be provided next week.

There is not much known about omicron, which the World Health Organization labelled a variant of concern. It's being linked to a rapid rise of cases in nearly all South African provinces. She did not say where the omicron cases are, besides being in Yukon. She said the territory is "tailoring the duration of the isolation period" and how it manages those household contacts, which will be "more stringently."

"For example, family contacts at this factor are being requested to isolate with these instances till we study extra about the variant," Elliott said. "This is a precautionary step to forestall the unfold into the community."

"For example, household contacts at this point are being asked to isolate with those cases until we learn more about the variant," Elliott said. "This is a precautionary step to prevent the spread into the community."

Elliott was asked about the symptoms of the two omicron cases but would not say. Also, starting on Wednesday people in Whitehorse aged 18 and over can book appointments to get a COVID-19 booster shot, McPhee said.

Vaccine clinics in some communities are also now open for people aged 18 and older with more clinics to be added in the coming weeks. However, Elliott said the priority right now is getting first shots for children aged five to 11 years old this month, so there will be limited appointments available for adult booster shots in the short term.

"We hope to get everyone over the age of 18 the opportunity to have their booster early into the new year," Elliott said. "I urge everyone to be patient. Please be kind and be thankful as we move together through this time."

At this point, nearly 80 percent of Yukon's entire population in all age groups is fully vaccinated, Elliot said. "When you have such a large proportion of the population vaccinated and they're showing the same number of infections as a much smaller proportion that is not vaccinated, you can see the vaccine is working," she said.

Yukon government employees and front-line healthcare workers who did not let the government know if they'd received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by midnight Nov. 30, will have to take leave without pay.

As of Tuesday, McPhee said 94.2 percent of employees have attested to having received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those who have not yet attested, 1.8 percent are full-time employees, making up 107 people, she said.

The majority of those who have not yet attested are casual or on-call employees, accounting for 3.3 percent of the government's workforce, McPhee added. Yukon government employees need to have a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 30.

Last week, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver announced the territory would be loosening some of its COVID-19 restrictions as of Dec. 4. However, the state of emergency called last month in response to an "alarming increase in COVID-19 cases and widespread community transmission" is still in effect.

No date has been given so far on when that will end. As of Wednesday morning, there were 44 active COVID-19 cases in the Yukon, and Elliott said over the last week, the territory has had an average of eight new cases a day — "a manageable level."

"These numbers represent a continued stabilization in case counts and the continued decrease in new infections every day is promising," she said. "The circuit breaker had the effect that was intended, and holding current measures now is intended to help us all have a safe holiday season."

[internationalrealestatenews]

[ad_1] Renting as a Millennial: The Challenges and Benefits this Era Faces Renting has turn out to be the norm for a lot of millennials. As this era enters the workforce, they're confronted with a singular set of challenges and benefits in terms of discovering and sustaining rental lodging. From excessive housing prices to versatile dwelling preparations, let's delve into the important thing elements that form the millennial renting expertise. One of the vital important challenges millennials face when renting is the ever-rising housing prices. With the rise in demand and restricted provide, reasonably priced leases have gotten more durable to search out. Many millennials encounter monetary pressure as a consequence of scholar mortgage repayments, which additional provides to the issue of discovering reasonably priced housing choices. This case typically results in the phenomenon often called "lease burden," the place a majority of a millennial's earnings is allotted in direction of lease, leaving little room for different monetary objectives comparable to saving for a down fee on a house. Moreover, the dearth of secure employment alternatives and low wages could make the renting expertise much more difficult for millennials. Lots of them battle to safe well-paying jobs, notably within the wake of financial uncertainties, thus making it tough to fulfill the necessities and expectations of landlords. This case typically forces millennials to lease in much less fascinating neighborhoods or to reside with roommates to share the monetary burden. Moreover, the rise of the gig financial system has led to a shift in the way in which millennials method housing. The pliability and independence offered by gig work have fueled a need for extra short-term and versatile dwelling preparations. This has given rise to co-living areas and subletting alternatives that cater particularly to this era's wants. Co-living areas, for instance, provide shared dwelling areas and facilities, fostering a way of neighborhood and decreasing the monetary burden of renting an entire condo. Regardless of the various challenges, there are additionally benefits that millennials expertise within the rental market. Mobility is without doubt one of the major benefits, as renting permits for larger flexibility, making it simpler to relocate for profession alternatives or private development. Not like earlier generations, millennials usually tend to prioritize experiences and profession development over homeownership, and renting permits them to adapt to altering circumstances extra simply. Renting additionally gives millennials with the chance to construct a stronger credit score historical past, an important facet in terms of securing future loans, comparable to a mortgage. Constantly paying lease on time and taking good care of a rental property can exhibit monetary accountability, which may positively affect their credit score rating and total monetary credibility. Furthermore, renting permits millennials to check totally different neighborhoods earlier than committing to a long-term funding. This helps them assess which space aligns finest with their way of life, preferences, and social circles. It additionally permits them to discover totally different cities, which could be important for profession development, networking, and private improvement. In conclusion, renting as a millennial presents each challenges and benefits. The excessive housing prices, restricted provide, and monetary strains make it more and more robust for this era to safe reasonably priced and fascinating leases. Nonetheless, the pliability, mobility, and credit-building alternatives provided by renting offers millennials the prospect to discover their choices, acquire invaluable experiences, and adapt to altering circumstances. Whereas the dream of homeownership could seem distant for a lot of, millennials are taking advantage of their renting experiences and discovering artistic options to navigate the challenges they face within the rental market.

[tortuga-aak]

Pennsylvania coal miners are so convinced Trump will bring coal back they're refusing free training in other industries

Thomson Reuters

Coal miners in Pennsylvania are holding out hope for President Trump to revive the coal industry. Many are reluctant to take up training in other industries. 

In two counties dominated by coal, only 120 people have signed up for jobs retraining, far short of the target of 700. 

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Reuters) - When Mike Sylvester entered a career training center earlier this year in southwestern Pennsylvania, he found more than one hundred federally funded courses covering everything from computer programming to nursing.

He settled instead on something familiar: a coal mining course.

"I think there is a coal comeback,” said the 33-year-old son of a miner.

Despite broad consensus about coal's bleak future, a years-long effort to diversify the economy of this hard-hit region away from mining is stumbling, with Obama-era jobs retraining classes undersubscribed and future programs at risk under President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 budget.

Trump has promised to revive coal by rolling back environmental regulations and moved to repeal Obama-era curbs on carbon emissions from power plants.

"I have a lot of faith in President Trump," Sylvester said.

But hundreds of coal-fired plants have closed in recent years, and cheap natural gas continues to erode domestic demand. The Appalachian region has lost about 33,500 mining jobs since 2011, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Although there have been small gains in coal output and hiring this year, driven by foreign demand, production levels remain near lows hit in 1978.

A White House official did not respond to requests for comment on coal policy and retraining for coal workers.

What many experts call false hopes for a coal resurgence have mired economic development efforts here in a catch-22: Coal miners are resisting retraining without ready jobs from new industries, but new companies are unlikely to move here without a trained workforce. The stalled diversification push leaves some of the nation's poorest areas with no clear path to prosperity.

Federal retraining programs have fared better, with some approaching full participation, in the parts of Appalachia where mining has been crushed in a way that leaves little hope for a comeback, according to county officials and recruiters. They include West Virginia and Kentucky, where coal resources have been depleted.

But in southern Pennsylvania, where the industry still has ample reserves and is showing flickers of life, federal jobs retraining programs see sign-up rates below 20 percent, the officials and recruiters said. In southern Virginia's coal country, participation rates run about 50 percent, they said.

"Part of our problem is we still have coal," said Robbie Matesic, executive director of Greene County’s economic development department.

Out-of-work miners cite many reasons beyond faith in Trump policy for their reluctance to train for new industries, according to Reuters interviews with more than a dozen former and prospective coal workers, career counselors and local economic development officials. They say mining pays well; other industries are unfamiliar; and there’s no income during training and no guarantee of a job afterward.

In Pennsylvania, Corsa Coal opened a mine in Somerset in June which will create about 70 jobs – one of the first mines to open here in years. And Consol Energy recently expanded its Bailey mine complex in Greene County.

But Consol also announced in January that it plans to sell its coal holdings to focus on natural gas. And it has commissioned a recruitment agency, GMS Mines and Repair, to find contract laborers for its coal expansion who will be paid about $13 an hour - half the hourly wage of a starting unionized coal worker. The program Sylvester signed up for was set up by GMS.

The new hiring in Pennsylvania is related mainly to an uptick in foreign demand for metallurgical coal, used in producing steel, rather than domestic demand for thermal coal from power plants, the industry's main business. Some market analysts describe the foreign demand as a temporary blip driven by production problems in the coal hub of Australia.

Officials for U.S. coal companies operating in the region, including Consol and Corsa, declined requests for comment.

“The coal industry has stabilized, but it’s not going to come back,” said Blair Zimmerman, a 40-year veteran of the mines who is now the commissioner for Greene County, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest coal regions. “We need to look at the future.”

Empty seats

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor has received about $2 million since 2015 from the federal POWER program, an initiative of former President Barack Obama to help retrain workers in coal-dependent areas. But the state is having trouble putting even that modest amount of money to good use.

In Greene and Washington counties, 120 people have signed up for jobs retraining outside the mines, far short of the target of 700, said Ami Gatts, director of the Washington-Greene County Job Training Agency. In Westmoreland and Fayette counties, participation in federal job retraining programs has been about 15 percent of capacity, officials said.

"I can't even get them to show up for free food I set up in the office," said Dave Serock, an ex-miner who recruits in Fayette County for Southwest Training Services.

Programs administered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal and state partnership to strengthen the region’s economy, have had similar struggles. One $1.4 million ARC project to teach laid-off miners in Greene County and in West Virginia computer coding has signed up only 20 people for 95 slots. Not a single worker has enrolled in another program launched this summer to prepare ex-miners to work in the natural gas sector, officials said.

Greene County Commissioner Zimmerman said he’d like to see a big company like Amazon or Toyota come to southwestern Pennsylvania to build a distribution or manufacturing plant that could employ thousands.

But he knows first the region needs a ready workforce.

Amazon spokeswoman Ashley Robinson said the company the company typically works with local organizations to evaluate whether locations have an appropriate workforce and has no current plans for distribution operations in Western Pennsylvania. Toyota spokesman Edward Lewis said the company considers local workforce training an "important consideration" when deciding where to locate facilities.

Signs of life

For Sean Moodie and his brother Steve spent the last two years working in the natural gas industry, but see coal as a good bet in the current political climate.

“I am optimistic that you can make a good career out of coal for the next 50 years,” said Sean Moodie.

Coal jobs are preferable to those in natural gas, they said, because the mines are close to home, while pipeline work requires travel. Like Sylvester, the Moodie brothers are taking mining courses offered by Consol’s recruiter, GMS.

Bob Levo, who runs a GMS training program, offered a measure of realism: The point of the training is to provide low-cost and potentially short-term labor to a struggling industry, he said.

"That’s a major part of the reason that coal mines have been able to survive," he said. "They rely on us to provide labor at lower cost."

Clemmy Allen, 63, a veteran miner and head of the United Mineworkers of America's Career Centers, said miners are taking a big risk in holding out for a coal recovery.

He’s placing his hopes for the region's future on retraining. UMWA’s 64-acre campus in Prosperity, Pennsylvania - which once trained coal miners - will use nearly $3 million in federal and state grants to retrofit classrooms to teach cybersecurity, truck driving and mechanical engineering.

"Unlike when I worked in the mines," he said, "if you get laid off now, you are pretty much laid off."

(Editing by Richard Valdmanis and Brian Thevenot)

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