Meetings & Schedule

North Coast Job Seekers Meetings

2nd & 4th Mondays of each Month

7:30 to 9:00pm

Currently Meeting Virtually in Zoom Meetings

Zoom Meeting Link:

NCJS ZOOM MEETING CONNECTION

NEXT MONDAY NIGHT MEETING

Monday, September 23, 2024

7:30 – 9:00pm EDT
[online meeting room will open at 7:15pm]

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Beyond the Corporate World

Considering Alternatives to the 9 to 5

Panelists: Paul DiPronio, Darlene Jacobson, and Rick Niedzwiecki

Terese McGroarty, Moderator

You can’t turn around these days without hearing about the rise of entrepreneurs and the gig economy. Professionals are discovering viable career options that were once only the path of last resort for the otherwise “unemployable.”

In this session, our Panel of Experts will discuss several alternatives to the traditional full-time employment career path, including franchising, starting your own business, and freelancing. They will share their experiences from the front lines as practitioners and provide a candid perspective on the good, bad, and ugly. 

Paul DiPronio

Paul is an Operations Management Consultant with over 30 years of experience in operations, leading organizations through challenging situations by delivering results on time.  He is an operations expert with success in reducing costs, accelerating revenue, and increasing profitability.  His expertise includes process improvement, team engagement, staffing and employee development.  Industry experience includes distribution, office equipment, food service, e-commerce, manufacturing, and technology. 

Prior to consulting, Paul worked at ComDoc, A Xerox Company for nearly 2 decades in assignments of increasing responsibility, leading teams in distribution, equipment refurbishment, parts reclamation, purchasing, order processing and call centers.  Paul also spent 9 years with Sodexo, running large food and environmental service departments in health care settings, and as a regional support manager, implementing branded retail kiosks in large hospital systems.

Paul holds an MBA, from Bentley University, in Waltham, MA, and a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, degree from Suffolk University, in Boston, MA. 

Darlene Jacobson

After over 30 years of working in the business world. I have as downsized in 2016 after 16 years of dedication to a small company. In late 2016 I took a leap of faith and went into business for myself. Thanks to my business broker, Terese McGroarty, I found a franchise opportunity that I could get passionate about, Aussie Pet Mobile. On March 1, 2017 we opened our mobile pet grooming business. I have never looked back. Long hours and an occasional sleepless night all come as part of being a business ownership. I LOVE MY JOB! Great support from Aussie Pet Mobile senior management, my family, many friends and fellow business owners have all supported me and Aussie Pet Mobile Cuyahoga Valley as we continue to grow. We have so many great clients that have honored us to groom their furry family members, most on a recurring basis. None of this would have been possible without the great groomers and office staff that supports our mission as doing what is right for the dogs and cats we care for. 

Rick Niedzwiecki

My kids and friends often ask, "What do you do, actually?" The answer varies from organizing chaos, to getting things done when no one wants to, to disrupting the status quo, among other quips. No one wants to hear that I am a project manager, program manager, portfolio manager, and business analyst. That is what the job description says. But what I really do is organize things, get everyone on the same page, and successfully complete projects. I come armed with the occasional dad joke, a deadpan sense of humor, and almost twenty years of project management experience. 

I am the President of Essential PM Services (EPMS) and love the challenge of new projects and completing them successfully. I focus on software development projects, working primarily with law firms. Before starting EPMS, I had successful employment tenures with Farmers Insurance (15 years) and then Thompson Hine LLP (almost 10 years). 

When I am not delivering projects, I am a husband, father of two, and cover band bassist/vocalist, because everyone needs a way to let loose!

Terese McGroarty

Terese pecializes in helping clients looking to become entrepreneurs to find the best possible match for their skills, lifestyle, goals, and financial capabilities. From start to finish, her professional approach and business knowledge will guide you through exploring top-quality business ownership opportunities. Together, we will find a fit that leads to a lifetime of fulfillment. Terese is passionate about helping job seekers whether it is for a business opportunity or finding their next position in the corporate world. She is a great connector and networker and is happy to help you in these areas.  Her business website is www.frannet.com/tmcgroarty.

Use this link to join our virtual meetings with video
from your computer, tablet, or smartphone:

NCJS ZOOM MEETING CONNECTION

see information below about downloading Zoom app/program
it is NOT required to download the app -- Zoom can run from your browser
 

Or dial in using your phone:

NCJS ZOOM MEETING ONE-TAP PHONE CONNECTION

or dial manually:
(646) 558-8656     Access Code:  8197-6352-173#

ONLINE MEETINGS ON ZOOM PLATFORM

Beginning with our April 26, 2021 meeting we transitioned to Zoom (from GoToMeeting).  Several features available in Zoom will add value to our meetings, particularly breakout rooms, in-meeting polls, and a slightly easier user interface.  If you need help with Zoom, we have a few steps below or you can find many very helpful video tutorials online.  We look forward to the new platform as we see our online meetings continuing in the foreseeable future.

SEE GETTING STARTED HELP AND TUTORIALS BELOW

Is it necessary to sign up in advance to come to a NCJS meeting?
Definitely not.  Everyone is welcome.  See our schedule of upcoming meetings here on the website and sign up for our e-Connect email newsletter to stay informed.  Join us!

NCJS Online Meetings

North Coast Job Seeker meetings are held online during this season of social distancing.  Using a secure platform, our meetings continue virtually.

Using the familiar video conferencing platform, Zoom, we are continuing our most important NCJS services:  Meeting "face-to-face" for networking, job search support, and presentations to assist professionals in transition.  While not the same as "being there" with the group, these virtual meetings are a helpful time of connecting and networking.  They also serve as good training ground for virtual interviews!

How to prepare for NCJS Virtual meetings:

• If you need a tutorial for using Zoom (using the app or using the web interface) please use our NCJS Getting Started with Zoom tutorial (see below).
• Make sure your tech is working and plan a quiet space to join the meetings.
• If you do not have webcam/video technology, you will be able to call into the meetings and participate with audio only either from your computer or a phone.
• Review your "30-Second Elevator Speech" to be able to introduce yourself and clearly communicate your expertise and skills to someone who doesn't know you. We will be using these in the online meetings.  Here's an easy to follow tutorial: Elevator Speech
• At the designated time, join the meeting using the link provided.  Each meeting "room" will open 15 minutes before the meeting begins in order to make sure you are connected and to become familiar with the Zoom platform.

NCJS Getting Started with Zoom Tutorial

This tutorial can help walk you through the steps of using Zoom for our
NCJS meetings.  Topics in the tutorial include a general overview, how to connect
if you already use Zoom, how to download and install Zoom, and how to use Zoom
using your web browser without installing the Zoom app.

Suggestions for Networking Between Meetings

Even during this pandemic, job search work does not take a pause.  We have several recommendations and ways that NCJS can continue to support your job search networking and efforts:

• Our NCJS LinkedIn Group is stronger and more vibrant than ever.  That is an outstanding place to actively network, ask questions, promote discussions, and stay connected with one another.
• Telephone Networking.  Picking up the phone and talking with other NCJS members you have met, following up on job leads, and networking voice-to-voice is an excellent tool that is not impeded by the COVID-19 virus.
• Find an Accountability Partner who will commit to helping you stay on track with your job search and with whom you can talk about job search issues.
• Our NCJS website contains helpful information in our Resource Library that you can explore and use.  We will do our best to bolster that resource during this time.
• Commit to using this time to focus on your job search via internet searches and online resources, one-on-one meetings (practicing "social distancing" for safety), and making/keeping appointments as you are able.

We are committed to supporting you in whatever ways we can.  We commit to keeping you informed of changes and updates to our scheduled events.  Please be safe, smart, and help others do the same.

-- North Coast Job Seekers Advisory Board