In the Michigan Works! centers, we see job seekers from all walks of life. We see people with a PhD, people who cannot read, and people with every skill level in between. Most are scared, and are dealing with that fear in their own way. However, a new trend is emerging in the behavior and outlook of this spectrum of workers. There is a realization that there is no entitlement to a lifelong job with a secure pension at the end, and no entitlement to government programs that come and go. The world of work has changed, and to be successful, job seekers must think like an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurs are versatile. They adjust to market conditions. They take measured risks. They work hard to sell their product or service.

A woman who works in groundskeeping at a resort will temporarily lose her job when the tourist season ends. However, if she is versatile and willing to try new things, she may find that she can continue to work through the shoulder season by moving to the kitchen or the housekeeping department. Employers love to see workers with a variety of skills and a willingness to apply them in many ways. When workers are versatile, they see many more opportunities than they otherwise would.

The entrepreneurial job seeker adjusts to market conditions. It is vital that workers today learn about jobs that are in demand. That can seem like a moving target in our uncertain economy, but it is important to get a sense of the future of job opportunities. This gives a focus and direction. We often find that job seekers see opportunities in fields for which they have no skills. So they have to acquire new skills. This can mean going to college for a two-year degree, or it could mean a short-term intensive workshop. It can also mean training on the job, and with financial incentives available through Michigan Works!, employers are able to teach new workers the skills they need.

For some job seekers, the focus of their job search is to start their own business. Is it risky? Yes. But there are ways to mitigate that risk. Many people are starting small, micro businesses. They work from home, sell online, or distribute their products to niche markets. Creativity and resourcefulness play a big part in making it work.

Other job seekers are working several part-time, temporary jobs that used to serve as "side" jobs. Now, a worker might make a living by coaching tennis, playing guitar in a band, and filling candy machines. Eventually, one or more of these jobs could lead to bigger opportunities - as a new business or as full-time employment - if the job seeker is able to sell his or her skills. This is by far the biggest challenge: selling your skills is very personal. An entrepreneur is personally invested and passionate in building his or her business; job seekers must be passionate about their own skills and career paths.

Workers from all walks of life can be entrepreneurial in finding new opportunities. Every person's efforts in acquiring new skills, adjusting to the new world of work, taking risks, and passionately pursuing their goals will benefit employers and workers alike.

The Northwest Michigan WORKS! 2009 Alumnus of the Year nominees received special recognition at the February meeting of the Workforce Development Board. The nominees were Penny Simmons from Manistee, Aaron Andrews from Traverse City, and Scott Hartung from Petoskey.

	Doug Parkes, WDB; Kristen Brandt, Career Advisor, Penny Simmons

Simmons came to Michigan WORKS! after she lost her job when the NABCO plant in Manistee County closed. With help from Michigan WORKS! Simmons enrolled at West Shore Community College, earned a certificate in Office Information Systems, and landed a new job as a realtor's assistant at Century 21 in Manistee. While she was going to college Simmons also worked as an office assistant at Michigan WORKS! in Manistee.

Doug Parkes, WDB; Greg Hickey, Career Advisor; Pam Cuthbert, Paperworks Studio; Aaron Andrews

Andrews spent a lot of years moving from one job to another and finally decided to come to Michigan WORKS! in Traverse City for help. The staff there helped him get his GED through the Learning Lab, and also helped him with things like clothing, a cell phone, BATA bus passes and a car. Michigan WORKS! also helped Andrews find his current job at Paperworks Studio in Traverse City.

	Scott Hartung, Chesley Consulting

Hartung was selected as the Northwest Michigan WORKS! Alumnus of the Year. He works as an I.T. Consultant at Chesley Consulting in Petoskey. Michigan WORKS! helped Hartung go back to college after he lost his job when the electronics plant where he worked shipped most of its business overseas. Hartung earned his degree at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, added some specialized certifications and moved into his new career.

Simmons and Andrews were both at the Workforce Development Board meeting and received gifts from the board in recognition of their accomplishments. Hartung was unable to attend because he was in the midst of a project at the job he obtained with help from Michigan WORKS!

Click below for a direct link to the video stories about all three nominees, found in the News and Events section of the Northwest Michigan WORKS! Website:

Aaron Andrews

Scott Hartung

Penny Simmons

Working at the Department of Human Services (DHS) office in Traverse City gives David Rokos an opportunity to learn about the different public assistance programs DHS provides. But before he started the job, Rokos was the one who needed some help. He was out of work and living at the Goodwill Inn.

"If I wasn't here I would probably still be at the Goodwill Inn," said Rokos. "Thanks to this job I actually got a place with a friend so I'm finally paying rent again and getting back in to usual living."

Rokos is one of several young adults working at DHS through the Work Experience Program at Northwest Michigan WORKS! The program gives the workers a chance to earn an income while they're gaining job experience. Heather Duff says the Work Experience Program has helped her get back in to the workforce after she spent two and a half years as a stay at home mom with her 4 children.

"Jobs are hard to come by and not having really worked anywhere for the last two and a half years it was even harder," said Duff.

She and the other workers are doing computer work, answering phone calls, processing mail, and helping customers. Besides providing some much needed help at the busy DHS office, the workers are also gaining valuable experience that will help them find jobs in the future.

"I think this will give them a really good step up in that area," said Debra Prohaska, the A.P. Program Manager at DHS. "People do like to hire individuals that have some experience behind them."

"I've got a couple of employers that I personally do know that said bring them over here, we'd like to interview, we'd like to see what they've got to offer," said Jodie Hoffmeister, the Work Experience Program Supervisor.

"It looks like there's actually a lot more possibilities now for higher paying jobs because of the fact that I have this experience," said Duff.

"I've gained a lot of experience through this program," said Rokos. "It makes me real confident."

	Scott Hartung, Michigan Works! Alumnus

Hartung thought he had made the right career choice when he graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering technologies from Lake Superior State University in Michigan. At the time, manufacturing jobs were plentiful, he recalls.

Read the rest of story at AOL's Wallet Pop Blog.

Students weren't the only ones honored at the Fall 2009 Beaver Island Lighthouse School Completion/Graduation Ceremony. Retired Lighthouse School Administrator, John Freeman, also received special recognition for his nearly 30 years of service to the school.

"John, for all intents and purposes, might be called the founder of the Beaver Island Lighthouse School," said Lisa Anderson, YouthBuild Manager for Northwest Michigan WORKS!

"One thing I can tell you about John is he has had the heart and soul and the vision to bring [the Lighthouse School] where it is," said Mary Rose Farrington, Youth Program Coordinator for Northwest Michigan WORKS! "He was our calm in the storm."

To honor Freeman for his years of service, the Lighthouse School's Student of the Session Award was renamed the John Freeman Student Award.

"It's a real honor to have my name associated with the student of the session," said Freeman.

"To have my name up here means that somebody was honored for hard work and trying to do the right thing and do good things. If my name's associated with that than that's really great."

"I wanted to see what it would be like at the college and hopefully choose a better career," said Hunt.

The campus visit was part of a Northwest Michigan WORKS! effort to support adult learners, a program called, "TAPET," which is an acronym for: Transitioning Adult Learners into Post-secondary Education and Training. Similar visits were held at Baker College of Cadillac, North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, and West Shore Community College near Manistee. These weren't orientations for people who had already decided to go to college. Instead the campus visits were set up to help make job seekers more aware of some of the education and training opportunities that are available.

"One of the biggest goals that we have on a day like today and a program like today is to make people feel comfortable," said Dr. Anne Monroe, NMC's Dean for Student Services. "It's okay to be nervous and have some questions."

Several members of the college staff along with some students were on hand to answer questions about topics including applications, financial aid, and career opportunities.

"It's a little bit different with folks who've been out in the workplace than it is perhaps with an 18-year-old coming right out of high school," said Monroe. "So we're here to help provide them with information about how we are going to help them transition and be successful here as a student at NMC."

The visit also included a campus tour to give the adult learners a glimpse of what it would be like if they decide to go to college.

"I think it's a great opportunity for older people who've lost their jobs to get back in to the work community and to acquire new skills and job knowledge," said Cliff Wares, one of the campus visitors.

"I thought [college] was always for younger people but I found out that now anybody can go," said Hunt.

"I think that many of them thought that they couldn't do it," said Val Doman, a Northwest Michigan WORKS! Learning Lab Instructor. "I think they have inspiration from today's visit-that it is possible that they can go to college and there are many different programs that are offered."

	Penny Simmons

Penny Simmons has experienced big changes in her life over the past few years. First, she lost her job when the plant where she worked closed. Then she enrolled in college, earned a certificate and started a new job as a realtor's assistant at Century 21 in Manistee.

"To look back and see what I have accomplished is just amazing," said Simmons.

One of the most amazing things about what Simmons has accomplished is that she didn't start college until she was 60 years old. But before she went to college, she went to Northwest Michigan WORKS! for help.

	Kristen Brandt, Michigan Works! Career Advisor

"Initially we helped her update her résumé and do some job search," said Kristen Brandt, a Northwest Michigan WORKS! Career Advisor. "We got her coming to the Learning Lab to work on her computer skills a little bit to help her find an office, clerical type job which she was targeting."

"They're a lovely, wonderful bunch of people," said Simmons. "They're helpful in anything you want to do."

Simmons qualified for Trade Adjustment Assistance and participated in the No Worker Left Behind program. With help from Michigan WORKS! she enrolled in the Office Information Systems program at West Shore Community College. At the same time she got a job with an organization called Experience Works, working in a position as an office assistant at Michigan WORKS!

"We helped her learn some basic office skills and that really helped her because it reinforced what she was learning in the classroom," said Brandt.

After she finished college, Simmons was hired as a temporary worker at Michigan WORKS! She answered the phone when Margie Zaccanelli called looking for help finding a new assistant. Simmons answered Zaccanelli's questions and also applied for the job.

"Once I got her résumé and saw that she was just completing computer training at West Shore then I got excited because that's exactly what I needed," said Zaccanelli.

Along with a college certificate and new job, Simmons earned something else...a nomination for Northwest Michigan WORKS! Alumnus of the Year. She says she couldn't have accomplished what she did without help from Michigan WORKS! She encourages other job seekers to take advantage of that help.

"I think it would be the first thing they should do is go and talk to one of the advisors," said Simmons. "They can determine what they need, and lead them where to go, and they support them all the way through it."

Aaron Andrews has spent much of his life moving from one job to another. But he finally landed a stable job when he started working at Paperworks Studio, which is an employment development program of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan. Andrews got the job after turning to Northwest Michigan WORKS! for help.

"For me it was acceptance," said Andrews. "By looking at my three kids and saying you know what, we're going to get somewhere. Whatever they have to offer you take it."

One of the first offers Andrews took advantage of was the chance to get his GED through the Michigan WORKS! Learning Lab.

"It was very hard with the three kids but I stuck with it," said Andrews. "I'm still pretty proud of it."

"The first time I met Aaron you could tell that he was somebody that was motivated to do a good job and do right by himself and his family," said Greg Hickey, a Northwest Michigan WORKS! Career Advisor.

Besides the GED, Michigan WORKS! also helped Andrews get things like clothing, a cell phone, BATA bus passes, and a car.

"Getting the car was huge," said Andrews. "I was in tears. That car has been a blessing."

Andrews got more help from Michigan WORKS! with résumé writing, interviewing and job search skills. He qualified for on the job training funding and eventually moved in to his permanent position making handmade recycled paper products at Paperworks Studio.

"[I know] I can budget my money, that I can pay my bills," said Andrews. "I'm not going backwards anymore, I'm going forward."

His efforts to move forward earned Andrews a nomination for Northwest Michigan WORKS! Alumnus of the Year.

"It's such an honor," said Andrews. "Just for people to take notice that really means a lot to me."

"I think that what Michigan WORKS! allowed and helped him to do was to kind of help him prioritize and then follow through on what he wanted out of life," said Hickey.

"Whoever's out there that wants to get it together, that's the place to go is Michigan WORKS!," said Andrews. "Everything is right there for them. You gotta want it."

	Scott Hartung, NW Michigan Works! Alumnus of the Year 2009.

Northwest Michigan Works! offered help for each of the plant employees as soon as the plant closing was announced.

"[They were] very thorough and they followed up immediately with the reemployment services," said Hartung.

Hartung did some research and decided to get out of manufacturing and pursue a career in I.T. He found help doing that at Northwest Michigan WORKS!

Placement and interest tests provided by Michigan Works! helped Hartung to determine what line of classes to take. "It's great for the individual. It kind of gives you an idea of what you're most interested in," Hartung said.

Hartung qualified for assistance under the No Worker Left Behind program and enrolled in the Computer Networking program at North Central Michigan College. Michigan WORKS! helped him there, too.

"So having them help me to get all that organized and maybe get some funding from that and then with the [No Worker Left Behind] paperwork...It was all well worth the time spent at Michigan WORKS!," said Hartung.

With that help from Michigan WORKS! Hartung earned his degree, added some specialized certifications and landed the job at Chesley Consulting. Besides giving him a start in a new career, Hartung's hard work also earned him recognition as the Northwest Michigan WORKS! Alumnus of the Year.

"I think it's great because he put in the effort," said Sara Hollister, the Northwest Michigan WORKS! Classroom Training Specialist who nominated Hartung. "He did all the hard work and we're just there to support him."

"I'm very honored that they would choose me," said Hartung. "I focused my time and energy and anyone can do that if they choose the right path...and work with the folks at Michigan WORKS!, they will accomplish what they want to."

	Sarah Cushaway helps adult students with career planning at the Traverse City Learning Lab.

Available at your local Northwest Michigan Works! Services Centers are two new workshops to help you make informed career choices.

The Career Planning Workshop is designed to provide you with the resources to make effective, informed career decisions. Self-assessment, career research, exploration of training options, and evaluation of the job market are just some of the steps to help you select a career that is right for you.

The Career Assessment Workshop is designed to provide you with information regarding your readiness to enter a job or postsecondary education and training and determine the need for upgrading basic academic skills. Either The WorkKeys® or the Compass® assessment is administered based on the information gathered from the Career Planning Workshop.

	Kim Raymond, UpSkills Instructor, helps adult students with career planning.

Life in Michigan, and indeed the world, is all about transitions: changes in local, national, and global economies demand adaptation and innovation. Michigan's economy is changing to one that demands new skills, more knowledge, and updated credentials, especially post-secondary education. It has become more and more difficult to get any job-even a low-paying, or temporary job-without a GED or high school diploma. As for better jobs, Michigan workers can no longer expect to hold a family sustaining job with only a high school education.*

Watch this video to learn more about the
Career Planning and Assessment Workshops.

Contact your local Northwest Michigan WORKS! Service Center for more information.

*Based on an excerpt from "Transforming Michigan's Adult Learning Infrastructure" A report to the Council for Labor and Economic Growth from the CLEG Low-Wage Worker Advancement Committee's Adult Learning Work Group.

53-year old Steve Krueger is not your typical college freshman. But major declines in the manufacturing industry, where he has worked for more than 25 years, prompted Krueger to pursue a degree and a new career. He and other non-traditional college students will get some help doing that through a new pilot program developed by Northwest Michigan WORKS. Krueger and the other students in the program will be mentored by non-traditional students who already know their way around a college campus.

"Our idea is to pair an experienced student, a successful second year student, with a new student coming in," said Nancy Johnson, a Learning Lab Specialist with Northwest Michigan WORKS! "Someone that knows the ropes can share a lot of information," she said.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity to have somebody take me under their wing and help me, guide me," said Krueger.

The mentors and mentees attended an orientation session to get more familiar with how the program will work. John Morency is one of the mentors. He is looking forward to helping a fellow student.

"Hopefully I can help someone through some of the struggles that I've already endured and make it a little bit easier for them," said Morency.

The mentoring program is being offered at Baker College, North Central Michigan College, Northwestern Michigan College and West Shore Community College. It's part of an effort to support adult learners called TAPET...Transitioning Adults into Postsecondary Education and Training.

"Being a supervisor for a good many years I had to take people under my wing and coach them," said Krueger. "Now I'm going to be on the other side of the fence," he said.

"There's always going to be someone that's going to have that ear for you to listen to you," said Morency.

"To have somebody in your corner that says I went through that, it's really worth it to hold on," said Johnson. "Just get through this, get the help that you need and you can do this."

"We wanted to give them some special recognition because these young people really met the challenge that we put out to them this summer," said Don Harrison, the Earn and Learn Project Manager.

That challenge was met by the 300 young adults who were part of the Earn and Learn Program. 15 roving crews and 78 individual placements worked on a variety of community based projects at about 150 job sites in northwest Michigan.

You go from painting one day to the next day you're wood chipping or building a bridge," said Rob Stocker, an Earn and Learn worker. "There are so many different opportunities that are out there. It's been a great summer," he said.

"We got to teach them quite a bit about what work really is," said Harrison. "We got to teach them quite a bit about taking pride in a job well done," he said.

For their well done jobs the Earn and Learn workers earned awards for attendance, safety, on the job, improvement, and leadership.

"It means a lot, it really does," said Rick Magee, an Earn and Learn Crew Supervisor. "You could just tell that they were getting a feeling of accomplishment and a feeling of pride in what they had done," he said.

"It's actually rather nice to have people realize that what you're doing really means something," said Stocker. "Being a teenager a lot of people don't really see that we can make a difference."