Careers in Focus: Information Technology

There is a wide array of career paths in information technology (IT), including maintenance and support, research/development/design and cybersecurity, among others. IT is also a fast-paced industry that is constantly changing, which provides you the opportunity to continually learn new technologies. Here is a small sampling of positions in IT career pathways.

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Goodwill® Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the ADA

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education, and public accommodations. Goodwill® has been dedicated to supporting employment opportunities for people with disabilities, among others, since its founding more than 113 years ago

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Traverse City, MI Goodwill Hosts Celebrity Chef Cook Off

Between June 16-19, Goodwill Northern Michigan (Traverse City) and its Mi Fresh Start food truck kicked off summer with the “Celebrity Chef Week” cook off. The winner earned the title of “Good Chef – Chief in Charge of GOOD.”

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Seven Steps to an Organized Staycation

It’s mid-summer already, and your summer vacation is not going entirely as planned? No problem, just regroup and figure out how to make the best of what’s left! If you can’t take a big trip somewhere else, maybe you can take a “staycation” and even get a few things done around the house.

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DIY Projects for the Perfect Summer Party

It’s July, which means that it’s prime time for backyard parties. With longer hours of sunshine and soft breezes to offer relief from the heat (and from the bugs!), I find myself looking for an excuse to stay outside as long as possible. I’ve also recently found a few super fun DIY party projects that I am eager to try out.

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Goodwill® Conveys Need for Welfare Reform Before Congress

This week I had the great pleasure of working with Boyd Brown, area director of employment & training of Goodwill Easter Seals Minnesota (St. Paul), as he testified before a Congressional subcommittee. The hearing, which was on welfare reform proposals, specifically involved the reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. His testimony provided great insight into the journey of an individual on public assistance, struggling to find a job and the challenges faced by case managers trying to put people to work.

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Careers in Focus: Advanced Manufacturing

If working in high-tech fields interests you, you may want to consider a career in advanced manufacturing, creating state-of-the art products and components using high-tech equipment. Here are just a few of the career fields and credentials available to skilled workers within advanced manufacturing.

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Inaugural Class Graduates from The Goodwill Excel Center in Austin

On June 26, forty-three students received their high school diploma in the company of hundreds of joy-filled, enthusiastic supporters. Texas Commissioner of Education, Michael Williams, was the Keynote Speaker for the ceremony. “You are courageous. You’ve expressed it and demonstrated it by being here today,” Commissioner Williams said to the students. “Take that courage to go even further.”

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My Story: Lisa Smith

Sixteen years ago, I was a professional vocalist on my way to landing a recording contract. However, my life took a dramatic turn when I was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The near-fatal wreck left me paralyzed from the waist down.

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Mix Patterns Like a Pro

With tons of fun patterns trending out there – chevron, florals, stripes – why choose just one? Heading out of the house with something snazzy on is a great way to up your confidence and make the most of your day. Gone are the days when mixing patterns was considered a faux pas. Today, a great pattern is especially well appreciated when it has found its perfect partner in crime.

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Lincoln’s Words Remind Us of Our Duty 150 Years Later

At the end of President Lincoln’s second inaugural address, he implored a war-weary nation “…to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan….” All the country was aware of the sacrifice. From big cities to small rural towns, there was either direct destruction because of the civil war or their soldiers had been lost or wounded in battle. As in most of his addresses to the nation, Lincoln spoke to both current and future generations.

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Tips to Keep Your Credit from Hurting Your Career

How and when an employer can pull your credit report is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and state regulations. So what do you need to do if you are in a state that can use your credit report for employment decisions? Find out if you are and what you can do to deal with any potential issues.

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