North Coast Job Seekers Meetings
 

Upcoming Meetings

Zoom Meeting Link:

NCJS ZOOM MEETING CONNECTION

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.

Monday, October 14, 2024

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Job Search
Troubleshooting Roundtable

We've all been there in our job searches... those times when we hit a speedbump or roadblock and need help talking it through.  We have discovered in our virtual NCJS meetings that in addition to networking, some of our most valuable time is when we bring our issues to the group and ask for troubleshooting help.  This meeting is a Roundtable of Experts -- ALL of us helping one another.

• Troubleshooting Help

• Tools & Tips

• Resource Sharing

• Networking

We will make the best use of this face-to-face time to help one another in a roundtable format.  We will always have members of the community who have extensive experience, including our facilitators and board members.  All are welcome and all are encouraged to seek input for solving those speedbumps and roadblocks.

Monday, October 28, 2024

7:30 – 9:00pm EDT
North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

In-Person Networking Event

In-Person Gathering will be at

Sandler Training by MP Solutions

Spectrum Office Building

6060 Rockside Woods Blvd N #105

Independence, OH

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming North Coast Job Seekers In-Person Networking Event! This is a unique opportunity to meet with fellow job seekers, practice your elevator pitch, and get personalized feedback from our experienced advisory board members—all in a welcoming, supportive environment. A few skill-building highlights:

• Elevator Speech Practice: Hone your pitch and gain the confidence to introduce yourself effectively in any professional setting.
• Advisor Insights: Work one-on-one with members of our advisory board who will provide expert advice and guidance on improving your job search strategy.
• Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with other professionals who are also navigating the job market.

Whether you're actively seeking a new position or simply want to enhance your professional networking skills, this event is for you! Don’t miss out on the chance to gain valuable insights and elevate your job search game.
[There will be no Zoom meeting with this event]

Monday, November 11, 2024

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Job Search
Troubleshooting Roundtable

Monday, November 25, 2024

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Finding a Career that Matters to You

Speaker: Bob Goodwin

Bob Goodwin is the President of Career Club, a firm dedicated to helping organizations and professionals achieve maximum career success. As a LinkedIn Top Voice and member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Bob is a recognized authority in career development and organizational performance.

He hosts The Work Wire with Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., CEO of SHRM, and Career Club Live with Bob Goodwin, where he interviews top global executives, including CEOs and CHROs from companies like P&G, Levi Strauss, and LinkedIn. Bob also serves on the advisory board for Per Scholas, a leading tech bootcamp in the U.S.

Bob’s workshops focus on driving superior financial performance by addressing critical issues such as burnout, disengagement, and stress-related healthcare costs. He shares actionable strategies for aligning individual values with a company's mission to build resilience and foster work-life harmony.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Bob works one-on-one with executives as an executive coach, helping them improve performance, job satisfaction, and career clarity.

Whether through his workshops or personalized coaching, Bob equips companies to transform their cultures and achieve sustainable success.

** Plus So Much More **

More Details Coming Soon