Maximum Business

business MAXIMUM

December 2012/January 2013 Palladium-Item Advertising Product Find on Pal-Item.com through February

Bridging the gap between employee skills and employer requirements page 7

Exposing students to career choices while talents and preferences are in development page 14

Who’s shaping the

workforce of the future?

Local colleges reveal their strategies, approaches and issues

The Voice of Business in the Whitewater Valley

business

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

MAXIMUM

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Still looking for that right man or woman?

As a business owner or manager you’ve likely already been faced with the “skills gap.” The scenario: You have a job to fill. You post it, advertise it, recruit for it, but the applications you receive are way off the mark. You ask, “How can it be so hard to find the right person when there are so many unemployed?”

In this issue we talk to the local folks working hard to solve this challenge. They include the vocational trainers and academic advisors who strive to match the right education with the right person so you can find the right candidate for the job.

This is a time of turbo-charged change as our business models are reinvented and consumers transition to new ways of interacting with us. We will need strong relationships to find profitable partnerships more than ever. You will find many willing participants throughout these pages.

As we head into the holidays, I wish you well, and look forward to positive economic movement in the new year.

Cathleen S. Cline Advertising Director Palladium-Item

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SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

Each issue Maximum Business identifies one woman who has had significant impact on our community and profiles her road to success. This issue we talked with Dr. Fredricka F. Joyner.

Dr. Fredricka F. Joyner is associate professor of Business Administration and Organization Behavior in the School of Business and Economics at IU East.

Q: What advice do you have for young women who want to pursue careers in your field?

A: Whenever I work with young people around career choices, I encourage them to do what they love and about which they have passion – we spend too much of our lives working to not do this. It is also very important to know yourself well enough to put yourself in environments where you will thrive. Also, thinking about who you work with/for is absolutely important – it can make or break a career.

Q: How important is collaboration at work, in communities, between men and women?

A: Collaboration is absolutely essential to achieving results in organizations and communities. All dimensions of diversity – including gender – must be welcomed to the table to come up with effective approaches to the complex issues facing us. Everyone brings unique perspectives, talents, access to various networks, etc.

Q: What ingredient is essential to moving work forward?

A: Building strong relationships and connections with others.

Q: What do you think makes you a good leader?

A: I don’t see myself as a leader – I see myself as a facilitator.

Q: What is your goal in that process?

A: It is to create environments/contexts, experiences, and build skill sets that allow others to make a positive difference in the issues and environments about which they care deeply.

My motto is to “Think UP” – this has two different meanings for me. The first thing that UP stands for is Unleashing Potential – I work to do this through working in leadership, organization, and community development. My philosophy is to be a positive force for learning. The second thing that Think UP stands for is to Think Upstream, working in ways that try to understand the root causes of issues rather than looking to Band Aid approaches.

Q: Can you give some examples of being a positive force for learning?

A: I am currently facilitating the Academy for Cultivating Talent that has a cohort of 22 women. My goal is to create a learning year in which the participants have the opportunity to 1) identify issues about which they have personal passion and 2) develop the skills and strategies to influence those issues. If each of the 22 impacts even one small issue, they will make a huge difference in this community. Another example is my work supporting the Positive Place Initiative. Creating ways to bring people together in new ways to make a difference in their community.

Q: How do you bring your voice into a community to make a difference?

A: In working in leadership, organization, and community development to facilitate work, bringing who you are to what you do is essential. I have 3 “P”s that I use. The first is to be Prepared. I am committed to always being prepared and ready to work. The second is Positive. No matter what kind of day I am having, or what is going on for me, when I show up to work I consciously make a choice to be positive. The third is

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

Q: Can you tell us about a powerful role model in your life?

A: No matter what your field of work, one of the key variables is the willingness to do hard work. I come from a long line of hard workers. My grandmother had a bakery and got up at about 2 every morning to go into work. After she passed away, I found a letter she was writing to then-President Reagan asking him to focus on creating jobs for seniors. My mother is 88 and still works full time – by choice.

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Dr. Fredricka F. Joyner

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

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SUCCESSFUL WOMEN

“Large-scale, systemic culture change is long term – there is no way to get around that. But it does happen. In Columbus, we collected data on the welcoming nature of the community in 2004 and then again in 2011 and could see that much progress has been made, but it doesn’t always seem that way while you are in the middle of the work.” ­- Dr. Fredricka Joyner

Punctual. I think it is important and shows respect to others by having good personal management skills which are reflected in excellent time management.

Q: Coming from a place like Columbus, Ind., that has such new economic growth, how can you help transfer that vitality here? What are you working on right now?

A: Columbus has a long history of understanding at a very deep and real level how to put together partnerships – especially public/ private partnerships. As a community they have well-honed collaboration skills, systems and structures in place.

Columbus also has a long history of striving for excellence – they think big. They are also committed to innovation and have set up some systems and structures to support this.

They understand the importance of diversity and have worked and continue to work very hard to create a welcoming and inclusive community. Richmond is working to do some of this with the Positive Place Initiative.

Q: What do you see that can be accomplished quickly?

What will take time?

A: Large-scale, systemic culture change is long term – there is no way to get around that. But it does happen. In Columbus, we collected data on the welcoming nature of the community in 2004 and then again in 2011 and could see that much progress has been made, but it doesn’t always seem that way while you are in the middle of the work.

It is important for community leaders to understand this and be willing to “stay the course,” even when they get criticism. For example, the work of the Positive Place Initiative will help to create a community culture that is more conducive to creating jobs – but it won’t happen overnight. Many people will not understand the connection between community culture and job creation and will criticize the efforts. Community leaders will need to have the “intestinal fortitude” to keep focused on the work and the goal.

Q: What’s the favorite thing you do?

A: I really like engaging with people – of all ages and stages – in their development. It is a very exciting process.

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Q: What keeps you grounded?

A: I am a jewelry artist and a ceramicist. When I am in the studio I am in the zone and time stands still.

BANKING SERVICES

By Alan Spears, First Bank Richmond

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The Pros While not an exhaustive list, I consider the following to be the main positives of 529 plans: • No income tax bills — any growth inside these plans is tax deferred, and if withdrawals are used for qualified college expenses, they are tax-free. Given the price tag of a college education, not have to pay taxes on these funds could be a major benefit to you and your family.

• Minimal management needed

Alan Spears is SVP/Senior Trust Officer at First Bank Richmond

— Most 529 plans come with a list of pre-packaged investment alternatives from which to choose.

There are typically static allocation plans where the mix of investments is regularly rebalanced to keep a certain blend of asset classes. There are age-based plans which start off more aggressive when the child is younger and get more conservative as college admission time draws near. The parent only needs to select the approach and the plan managers take care of the rest.

• You stay in control — unlike some other savings strategies for children, 529 plan assets never become the property of the child.

For parents who want to maintain control of the funds, this is a nice feature. This means you can change

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

ccording to recent forecasts, the cost of college for a baby born in 2012 is estimated to top $150,000.

So it’s no wonder many parents wonder what is the best strategy to save and pay for college? A lot of those questions center on whether or not 529 college savings plans are the best way to sock away money for this intimidating expense. Here are my thoughts on this important issue facing parents with young children they hope to send to college.

The right answer is to save!

I’ll start by saying that the most important, and often most difficult, component of any college savings plan is not deciding which program you’ll use. It’s actually doing the grunt work ... the saving. That said, if the sole purpose of your savings is to pay for college, I’m a big fan of 529 college savings plans. For many families, they make a lot of sense, but you’ll have to decide if that’s true for you. To help with that decision, here are what I consider to be some of the top pros and cons of 529 plans.

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Are 529 plans the best way to save for college?

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

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“Unless you’re interested in paying taxes and penalties to the IRS, you will not be able to use funds in 529 plans for anything except qualified college expenses. This means no using it for private elementary or high schools, cars, computers in high school, or even the senior class trip. The money has to be used for college. “ beneficiaries or even withdraw the money at some point and use it for other purposes. Since this last point would likely result in taxes and penalties on any earnings that are withdrawn, it’s typically not an advisable action — but it’s one you could take if you wanted to, especially if your child ends up not going to college.

drawals from the plan.

• Fewer investment choices — most 529 college savings plans come with a list of pre-packaged investment selections. If you are someone who likes to have more control over their investment choices, it could be a drawback.

The investment choices that come with the plan are typically all you get.

The Cons Here are a couple of potential drawbacks of 529 plans: • College expenses only — unless you’re interested in paying taxes and penalties to the IRS, you will not be able to use funds in 529 plans for anything except qualified college expenses. This means no using it for private elementary or high schools, cars, computers in high school, or even the senior class trip. The money has to be used for college. Use it to pay for anything else, and it could cost you income taxes on the with-

Conclusion As I mentioned earlier, the best approach to college saving is to actually do it. While the choice of college savings programs is something to be considered closely, there is no one best solution for all situations. For many families, the positives of 529 college savings plans outweigh the negatives. For yours, that may or may not be the case, but hopefully this information helps you to make an informed decision as you map out your plan to pay for college.

WORKFORCE D E V E L O P M E N T

Feeding employer needs requires creative job-training partnerships

By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

Tech, along with Adult Basic Education, and the Richmond High School Career Center, And what skills does St. John see as lacking in area workers, is there a specific skills gap?

“No single area of skills,” she answered. “The needed skills just depend on the specific work-related jobs that are out there; there is no general area, most jobs are specialized now.”

Because of the nature of the business world today, WorkOne forms classes, and its overall training programs, as needs are expressed or identified, and how assessments of the current group of clients matches those needs.

“We have a good group of partners, trainers, who are very responsive when we require training in a specific area,” St. John said.

“We are constantly making and receiving contacts with and from employers, getting and receiving referrals, helping with employer job orders, and working with our Indiana Career Connect job service, which can be accessed online,” she said.

WorkOne can help arrange on-thejob training for clients as well.

Training programs that are completed by WorkOne clients can help earn what is called a National Career

Readiness Certificate, which can be an advantage for workers competing for an available job.

WorkOne can assist residents that might be in special circumstances like going back to school or getting their GED from high school, which is now a requirement for hiring by many businesses.

“We offer workshops, veteran services with two staff specialists in veteran benefits, and have a business services unit,” St. John said.

The local WorkOne manager works with many area educational leaders, including Rusty Hensley at RHS. Hensley not only heads the RHS Career Center, but is also in charge of the Adult Basic Education program for Wayne County.

The program is based at Richmond High School.

St. John, who has managed the Richmond WorkOne office for a little over six years, also helps the Economic Development Corporation in communicating with prospective businesses considering coming to the area.

“I can provide wage scale information, plus information on area workers and training options for a new business seeking to locate her,” she said.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

RICHMOND, Ind. - There are many options today for workers looking for help in finding and preparing for employment, and businesses seeking good candidates.

One very good option is the WorkOne Training and Unemployment Office on the east side of Richmond near Wal-Mart.

Recently, the manager of the Richmond WorkOne office, Acacia St. John, spoke by phone about the work her staff of about 20 people is doing, with a special focus on the skills the clients

possess, or wish to acquire.

“Our primary job is getting people back in the workforce as quickly as possible,” St. John said. “That task is always the first priority.”

She commented that handling unemployment claims is only about 15% of what the office does.

“That (unemployment claims) is not our primary function today, not just what we do, for training and retraining is a vital service, helping prospective workers meet the needs of area employers,” St. John said.

The office works with the area’s educational institutions, such as Ivy Tech, IU East, the Corporate College at Ivy

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WorkOne addresses skills gap

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

STRATEGIC V I S I O N

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A welcome center, expanded science library and new visual and performing arts center are some of the new construction projects at Earlham College, employing local tradespeople.

‘Big’ defines Earlham’s vision, future Big ideas, big building plans, big enrollment, big success

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By Mike Bennett For Maximum Business

arlham College is investing big in its future.

Big in dollars: Tens of millions into new and refurbished buildings.

Big in local collaboration and community involvement: A plan to connect more with businesses and institutions for education and workforce development.

Big in future numbers of students and teachers: Enrollment is projected to rise over many years from the current 1,160 to 1,500.

Big in a novel 10-year mindset that makes the school a partner for much longer in helping graduates find their career paths after they leave campus.

“We have to invest in the future of the college,” said President David Dawson. “Our academic programs are highly competitive. We need to be the same with facilities.”

Construction projects, using a lot of local labor, are already in the works around campus In fact, they are being accelerated.

The projects include: • Renovations of Tyler Hall, a historical Carnegie Hall, into a welcome center. Originally built in 1907, it was once thought unusable. “It was sitting here boarded up,” Dawson said. “But we’ve found it’s

probably the best constructed (building) on campus.”

• Rebuilding Stanley Hall and expanding it to include a science library.

• Building a new visual and performing arts complex. Performing arts are a big community draw to the college. Dozens of world-renowned artists — and speakers ­— have performed there in recent years.

Right now, Dawson said, the arts are spread all over campus. “That’s big for us,” he said about pulling it all together. To pay for the projects, and also refinance debt, the college will issue a $70.1 million bond in January.

The changes all are focused on reframing Earlham to be more compelling for the future in a changing world, putting it in a more competitive stance with similar liberal-arts colleges, most which have far larger enrollments.

Earlham aims to help more graduates see the advantages of remaining in the region. In doing that, college officials are working to build more partnerships and collaborations with area businesses to get students more involved with the community.

“We want to set up (more) internships and opportunities to connect with what they do in classrooms and their lives,” Dawson said. “We’re looking at a variety of areas where we think we can build stronger relationships.”

The school also is looking at ways to provide

services to Richmond and Wayne County. It’s also seeking methods to get more students in touch with the region’s positives so they consider settling here or coming back someday.

In that realm, the college has applied for a $1 million grant from the Lilly Foundation that is designed to keep more graduates and high-paying jobs in Indiana.

The grant application is due March 31 and the decision is expected in June. “Lilly is forcing a community conversation: How do you make the best use of resources,” said Mark Blackmon, Earlham’s director of media relations. “We produce 18th in the country in BAs (bachelor’s of arts degrees), but were in the 40s for staying here. We think the grant fits our plan.”

That plan includes working with students in what’s called a 10-year mindset.

The grant request fits with Earlham’s strategic plan in putting “more context in career trajectory,” Dawson said.

Blackmon moved here in recent years from Baltimore and has grown to appreciate the opportunities – in culture, jobs, and location – that the area has to offer. He thinks additional interaction opportunities could make more Earlham graduates stay here or return here for jobs.

“When students come to school, they are also coming to live,” Dawson said. “In some cases, they stay.”

All of the efforts are certain to have an impact on economic vitality.

A bigger enrollment, about one-third more, will require the addition of teachers and college personnel.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

With highly competitive academic programs in place, President David Dawson plans to bring campus facilities up to equal levels.

“It’s a win-win,” Blackmon said. “You bring in new professors and staff, they will live here.”

The new arts center will offer more cultural opportunities and draw even more people to campus to participate in events. The new science complex offers great community opportunities, Blackmon said. “Who’s to say that couldn’t become a hub of the area,” he said.

Area sports teams are being invited to use Earlham facilities, with the new turf and lights at Darrell Beane Stadium. That field has multiple use possibilities, including football and soccer.

About one-third of students participate in athletic teams at the school. “We’re open to sharing space with the community,” Stewart said. “Earlham wants to be a good community partner and neighbor.”

The school even is working on efforts to make the campus more inviting and user friendly. They range from a more visable welcome center to more colorful plants to new direction signs around campus. Many of the “welcoming” changes stem from Dawson’s original observations in the first year of his presidency. “When you come from outside, (the campus) just didn’t convey: You’re invited to be here,” Dawson said.

The college intends to do everything it can to make sure members of the community feel they are they are invited.

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Whether it’s their education or community interaction, the journey at Earlham needs to be “reframed in a way that will be more compelling,” he said.

Dawson encourages students, graduates and college employees to get more deeply involved with Richmond, Wayne County and the immediate region.

In that effort, Dawson is meeting with community leaders to collaborate on the grant proposal and discuss other areas of working together, He met recently with Craig Kinyon, Reid Hospital CEO, and Allen Bourff, superintendent of Richmond Community Schools, about ways to collaborate to benefit the whole community.

Earlham already has a strong history of having graduates stay locally. That was especially evident for decades in arts and educational areas. But, the reach is broadening.

Graduates include Web entrepreneurs such as Ray Ontko of the information service Doxpop, and Chris Hardie and Mark Stosberg, founders of Summersault, a Web development and creative design company.

Two recent hires at Cope Environmental Center are new graduates, noted Avis Stewart, the vice president for community relations at Earlham.

Stewart, himself, is an example of a former student who found his career path in Richmond. He said five of six business owners featured in a recent newspaper article about local high-tech businesses were Earlham graduates.

STRATEGIC V I S I O N

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

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Earlham College is working with students to develop 10-year career development plans, of which their years at the college are just a part.

The goal is to encourage a greater “return” on the time, energy and investment students and their parents make to acheive a degree.

Helping students beyond

GRADUATION

Earlham further commits to students’ futures with 10-year plan

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By Mike Bennett For Maximum Business

arlham College is making the commitment to take the next step along with its graduates, even if its takes six more years.

Its leaders have embarked on what they are calling a 10-year mindset, an innovative leap in connection between graduates and their careers.

Simply put, says Earlham President David Dawson: “We’re going to provide more help.”

Traditionally, undergraduate programs are designed to take four years for completion.

But, the world has changed.

It’s not as simple for new graduates to find career paths quickly. That often is true for students who graduate from liberal-arts colleges, such as Earlham.

With the 10-year mindset, the college is saying to students, graduates and their parents: We care so much about your future that we are going to make sure you are successful; we are here to guide you for a decade on your path to career discovery The 153-year-old institution will look at “the four years as a moment-in-life trajectory … in perspective

of where they are going,” Dawson said.

That first four years and the six that follow will be viewed strategically as much as the college’s investment of millions of dollars in capital improvements that’s ongoing right now.

The extra involvement with students and graduates, it’s believed, will help them understand how to translate their learned and critical-thinking skills into the job market.

That’s simply tougher in today’s world of tougher economic times. Not only are jobs harder to find, but also there’s become an increasing focus on outcomes – getting bang for your buck – in education as much as in the business world.

“Parents are saying: ‘I’ve spent X amount of dollars and my son or daughter has a degree … but they may still be living at home,” said Mark Blackmon, Earlham’s director of media relations, about American students everywhere.

The 10-year mindset would offer a guiding hand to help graduates. “It’s about taking what we do well, educating people at a high level, and (asking) ‘what comes next,’” Blackmon said.

Earlham traditionally has offered one of the top

liberal-arts college experiences in the country. Liberal arts is focused on providing critical-thinking skills and backgrounds that can be applied to any endeavor – from medicine, to science, to sales, to education, to entrepreneurship.

In other words, it’s not career-focused. “We have to marry the student’s liberal arts tradition with vocational education,” Blackmon said.

The Earlham graduate, he said, may have all of the skills to work a job in public relations – such as a keen anthropological eye, deep writing skills and an ability to talk to and relate to people – but not a degree specifically in that area.

Strategic thinking skills are valuable in any field, he said. “Liberal-arts graduates aren’t bound by boxes,” Blackmon said.

Their mission is to learn how to translate their learned skills to the job market.

The 10-year mindset would also offer more help while students are at Earlham. It could mean that advisers provide focused career help quicker for a student that becomes excited intellectually about a certain subject (such as physics), Dawson said: “What could this mean starting at the beginning.”

WORKFORCE O F T H E F U T U R E

Long-term partnership with Ivy Tech equals success for area business

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long-time partner in the Workforce Development efforts by the local region of the Ivy Tech Community College is the Richmond firm Ahaus Tool & Engineering Inc. Kevin Ahaus of the local company spoke recently of his company’s long-term, close relationship with Ivy Tech, a relationship that began way back in 1978, said Ahaus.

“We have had a long-standing apprentice relationship with Ivy Tech,” Ahaus said. “We need to build our workforce, and Ivy Tech helps us do that.”

That workforce, boosted significantly by past and current Ivy Tech students, helped produce record sales in 2012, Ahaus said.

“Our goal is growth,” said Ahaus of his company’s approach in today’s challenging business environment.

“During this time of economic uncertainty, where some local businesses are struggling to maintain their existing level of business, or even simply to survive, some are prospering.

“Our (Ivy Tech) people are not production workers only, these are advanced skills positions, our involvement with engineering technology programs, bring them (the students) in, has been positive,” Ahaus said.

And there is direct articulation of credits for Ivy Tech students in the program to several other college options.

Ahaus estimated that this company has employed about 35 graduates of the Ivy Tech program, with 17 “still with us,” he said.

The firm also has a relationship with the Richmond High School Career Center program, which is led by Rusty Hensley. Matt Amos is one of the Richmond Career Center instructors involved with the program.

Northeastern and Randolph Southern high schools both send students to the RHS program as well.

Centerville students attend a like program at Connersville High School, and Hagerstown is a part of the program at New Castle High School.

Ahaus was a part of a recent taped program for Whitewater Community Television (WCTV) that discussed Ivy Tech’s workforce development efforts, and was filmed on-site at the Richmond campus. The program airs various times throughout the month of December.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

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Building a WORKFORCE

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

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Ivy Tech &

DOT FOODS “Soft skill” training offers opportunities for advancement

By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

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andy Templin is not a newcomer to the Dot Foods family. But he is to the company’s location just north of here.

As the general manager in Cambridge City for four months he is pleased with his workforce of 220 employees, as positive recent location evaluations have confirmed.

His current focus for staff development has been what he calls “soft skills” the ability of an employee to represent the employer well to the outside world, as an ambassador, if you will.

“We have worked with the Ivy Tech training programs, programs that have helped us,” he said when speaking of

Ivy Tech’s Corporate College. “The communication skills of our people are very important at Dot Foods.”

Speaking to external interaction, Templin said, “We are, technically, in the transportation and warehousing business, but in reality, Dot Foods is in the people business.”

And the people mean not only customers, but also other employees.

“It is important to have a good group of people as employees,” Templin said. “We try to hire the right people, pay them well, and hope they add to our culture.”

An established, but still growing resource to Dot Foods, and the companies like them, is the Corporate College at Ivy Tech.

Richmond’s Corporate College serves not only Wayne

Dot Foods, with a facility in Cambridge City, claims to be the nation’s largest food redistributor.

WORKFORCE D E V E L O P M E N T “It is important to have a good group of people as employees. We try to hire the right people, pay them well, and hope they add to our culture.”

— Randy Templin

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

businesses to the best of our ability,” Thurlow said.

Some of the local successes in recent times for the Richmond organization included working with the Economic Development Corporation on the Sugar Creek project, helping Osborn move a line here, training incumbent workers with CNC training, plus developing a management & supervisory program that “has been a huge success,” according to Thurlow, the only non-credit program that has been copyrighted.

With these newer accomplishments, the momentum continues to build for Richmond’s Corporate College program.

“We are always seeking to find other sources, develop new approaches and programs, whatever we can do the help the local business community, and the workers who are, or can be, employed at those businesses,” Thurlow said.

For Dot Foods, Templin said, “We’ve worked with Ivy Tech on software training and that helped us quite a bit. We’re in the process of developing logistics training, most likely for our dispatch personal. This will help us in the future.”

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Dot Foods works with ivy Tech’s Corporate College to enhance skills of their employees.

County, but also Fayette, Franklin, Rush and Union counties.

Kim Thurlow, executive director of the local branch said, “We work with any employer to develop training and assessment services to help with existing employees or new hires; we customize our services to what the needs are,” she explained.

The scope of services offered by Ivy Tech’s Corporate College is always expanding.

“What we offer now is a (30-year) evolution of the model, a newly-resourced model that has a statewide reach,” Thurlow said.

It includes providing trainers, assessment products and services, a customized curriculum, information on industries and trends, working with incumbent or new workers, retraining if needed, and all of the above is offered to either either existing or new startup businesses.

Programs, like those developed for Dot Foods, are specific to the employers needs, as well as focused solely on their employees.

“Our goal is simply to serve individuals and

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

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Richmond High School students prepare to work on local construction project.

RHS provides eye-opening experience Exploration key to chosing career path

By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

Significant and varied educational programs are available for area citizens, young and old, to be trained and/or retrained for jobs today.

There are secondary school programs like the Richmond High School Career Center, headed by Rusty Hensley, and the after high school offerings such as the Indiana Vocational Technical College (Ivy Tech) workforce development efforts, including the Corporate College.

An ever-increasing number of students are being served in the special RHS program, with the current number set at 700 sophomores, juniors and seniors, according to the RHS website at rcs.k12.in.us.

Hensley is the Director of Career Education, and he said recently that the number of students is up significantly in just the past two years, and the program includes students from both Northeastern and Randolph Southern high schools.

“The experience in a selected field of work is invaluable, even if that experience is not positive,” Hensley said.

“Even if a student finds out quickly that a selected field is not what they like, another career choice can be made.”

Hensley said there are now 18 separate programs in the RHS effort, with engineering technology and biomedical disciplines the latest to be added.

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WORKFORCE O F T H E F U T U R E

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Efficiencies improve education’s ROI Community college concept serves region’s aspriational students

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By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

vy Tech Community College Richmond has a long history providing vocational training. When Ahaus Tools looks to update employee skills, it looks to Ivy Tech’s Corporate College. When Dot Foods wants to help its employees better represent the company, it looks to programs customized for them by Ivy Tech’s Corporate College. These services are imperative to growing a local economy.

But there are two faces to the same Ivy Tech. The other focuses on educating a workforce in areas where a 2- or 4-year degree is required. That career may include health care, paramedic science, computer information technology, business administration, agriculture or a number of other programs that lead to associate degrees with credits that transfer to all Indiana public colleges and universities.

A student can turn to Ivy Tech as a stepping stone

to a four-year degree. Typical freshman and sophomore level courses required at four-year institutions and credits toward many bachelor degree majors can be obtained at Ivy Tech at a fraction of the cost, saving an estimated $10,000 while earning an associate degree.

Additionally, students may even begin their college careers while still in high school. High school Dual Credit courses transfer to Ivy Tech and other colleges meeting prerequisites for many programs.

Students may apply an estimated 15 to 30 dual credits, providing an additional $2,000 to $3,000 savings in total post-high school educational investment.

An added advantage for the newly graduated 17- or 18-year-old, is the Ivy Tech culture that helps a student evaluate career options, provides regular advice throughout the duration of their education and tracks their progress. “Ivy Tech embraces students, providing small classes and a nurturing environment that enables them to be successful in achieving

their education goals and completing their associate degree,” said Nancy Green, executive director for External Relations.

In 2012, Ivy Tech Community College state-wide entered into a collaborative agreement with the Indiana University system, which includes IUEast, to provide greater educational opportunities for Hoosiers.

Ivy Tech Richmond and IUEast led the way with a partnership in the mid 2000s. The partnership means that students at Ivy Tech can transfer credits to all the public colleges and universities in Indiana including the Indiana University and Purdue University systems.

These programs not only serve the young student new to the workforce, but they offer options to the older student who may have ended a previous college career just shy of the credits needed to complete their degree or need to upgrade their skills to meet today’s and tomorrow’s job opportunties.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

Ivy Tech services include workorce training programs through its Corporate College, as well as academic courses to support 2- and 4-year degree programs.

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FUTURE O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

Fundraising continues as IU East seeks to build a $4.7 million events center aimed at attracting younger, more traditional students.

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IU looks ahead Guiding students to successful career outcomes

By Pam Tharp Maximum Business

P

reparing college students for the world of work is an ongoing process at Indiana University East, one that includes keeping coursework up to date and emphasizing real-world work experiences.

“One of the things colleges and the university do is continually look forward,” said IU East Interim Chancellor Larry Richards. “We keep track of trends to see what new programs are needed.

The ideas for those programs have to be driven by faculty and the approval process is slow. The programs we propose need to be justified by student demand and employer need. Both need to be there.”

Health career demands produced IU East’s two newest programs in human life science and biochemistry, Richards said.

Offering new majors that lead to good-paying jobs is only part of the equation. Enrolling students who can succeed in the classroom and the workplace is also important, Richards said.

“The biggest problem is attracting students to the campus who are good in math and science. There are so many opportunities in those fields and we are trying to attract area students to those programs,” Richards said.

IU East is a state school, so tuition is considerably less than at private colleges or universities.

Calculating a return on the investment in a college degree is not as simple as making the same calculation for a piece of equipment in a business.

“Education does not guarantee someone a job; it just makes it more likely that they will get a higher paying job than if they did not have the advanced education,” Richards said. “People still have to do and be willing to do what they need to do to get and keep a job. This may include learning how to interview, staying drug free, being willing to relocate, being a reliable and collegial employee, learning to work with others and as a member of a team, and so on. It may also mean taking a job that is not one’s dream job in order to acquire experience.

“In this day and age, being drug-free and maintaining a positive attitude in the workplace seem to be major hurdles for many people seeking a good

job. The statistics, however, remain clear: a higher education degree will increase the probability that someone will be employed, get a good paying job and increase their lifetime earnings substantially.

College students are often unsure about career choices and unprepared for the work environment, which is where Career and Experiential Learning Coordinator Liz Ferris steps in. Ferris, a Wayne County native, joined the university last summer.

There are many approaches to helping students hone in on a career that’s in demand and matches their interests and abilities.

Ferris is promoting Sigi3 (System of Integrated Guidance Information) to help students define their interests.

“We’ve paid for 4,000 students to use it and we’re trying to promote it,” Ferris said. “It’s underutilized at this point.

IU East also offers a six-week class on career choices, with an emphasis on family work experiences, Ferris said.

“Our family work experiences are where we begin our knowledge of the work world,” Ferris said. continued next page

WORKFORCE O F T H E F U T U R E

Facility development to attract younger students

By Pam Tharp | Maximum Business

By Pam Tharp Maximum Business

The transition from being a community branch campus serving mostly part-time adult students to a four-year university that’s attracting traditional full-time college students has brought many to Indiana University East.

In the past six academic years, IU East was the fastest growing campus, expanding its enrollment by nearly 66 percent, according to a study commissioned by the Indiana Chamber Foundation and supported by the Lumina Foundation. IU East had a 2011 enrollment of 3,725 students, up from 2,246 in 2006.

In fall of 2010, the university retained 66.5 percent of its entering students, the high point of the past 10 years, the study said.

Student retention improved due to improved academic advising and counseling and also structured pathways towards a degree. Graduation rates also are improving, a result of better student retention rates, the study said. The number of bachelor degrees was also up 66 percent from 2006 to 2011.

Interim Chancellor Larry Richards said the pace of change that occurred during Chancellor Nasser Paydar’s leadership was rapid.

“If someone had told us in 2007 what was going to happen in the next five years, we wouldn’t have believed it,” Richards said.

The university reorganized, eliminated two vice-chancellor positions and used those savings to add new faculty positions. IU East discontinued remedial and associate degree offerings, as was required of all four-year universities, and moved its focus to high school students, Richards said.

About 50 percent of the university’s students come directly from high school, while the remaining 50 percent are non-traditional students, Richards said. Online classes are an important part of the transition.

Between spring 2008 and spring 2011, IU East gained 803 students in headcount enrollment, and 586 of those students were enrolled in online courses. Half of those students live outside IU East’s traditional service area and more than a third of IU East’s credit hours are now delivered online, the study said.

The university remains committed to serving both student groups, Richards said.

“While we continue work to attract the younger students, we won’t be abandoning our adult students. We need to serve both of them. Working adults can now take many evening classes online, with online classes probably our biggest growth area,” Richards said.

“Online classes also allow us to bring in students from outside the region, because it doesn’t really matter now where they live.”

Continued from Page 10

“We have younger students who don’t know what they want to do, but we also have juniors and seniors in that class, who are pretty far along in their education and still don’t know how they’ll use their degree.”

Just having a college degree is no longer a guarantee of employment, Ferris said. Students must have something that makes them standout in the crowd, which is one reason Ferris said she encourages students to seek internships and work opportunities.

“What the high school diploma was, that’s now a bachelor’s degree,” Ferris said.

“Thousands of students graduate in Indiana every year with a bachelor degree. What makes a student stand out from those thousands? An internship or community service can make

the difference.”

Social experiences are also important, especially for the first-generation college student, Ferris said.

“You don’t know what you don’t know, such as how to dress and professionalism,” Ferris said.

“I’ve seen students show up for interviews without a tie. IU East has clothing drives to help students acquire the wardrobe needed for interviews. “ A career week helps students do resume building and practice interviews, but there’s still room for improvement in helping students prepare for the workforce, Ferris said.

“We’re doing a better job of bringing in and retaining students,” Ferris said. “They’re getting great degrees here and we’re working on career preparation, but we can do more.”

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

Enhanced choices may change demographics

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IU East’s student demographics currently split evenly between adult, non-traditional students and those coming directly from high school. Adjusting that balance could lead to more residential students drawing from a larger region.

Fundraising for a new student events center planned for the Indiana University East campus could be be finished by spring.

The fundraising goal for the event center is $4.7 million and all but about $400,000 of that amount has been raised, IU East Interim Chancellor Larry Richards said.

IU East has had its own campus for decades, but until its mission moved to serving younger students who’ve just graduated from high school, there was less need for such an events center, Richards said. Now about 50 percent of IU East’s enrollment arrive on campus as freshmen who have just finished high school, Richards said.

“We had to have student activities and student government and we had to accomplish this without student housing,” Richards said.

“We also need more athletics facilities and more space for performing arts.”

Student housing has been proposed by a private investor for land adjacent to Meijers, Richards said. Traditional dormitories on campus are also a possibility, housing that would likely be privately developed on IU East property, he said. Such an arrangement would give the university more control over the housing, Richards said.

Projects that will improve the aesthetics of the campus are also planned. Sculptures of significant artists will grace the gardens around the campus, which should enhance the campus’ appearance, he said.

Other future capital projects include a new parking lot to serve the event center and ongoing upgrades to buildings. The campus library’s second floor was recently renovated and a conference room created at a cost of $1 million, Richards said.

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

WORKFORCE O F T H E F U T U R E

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Facilitated construction projects expose high school students to the elements of a career in the building industry. continued from page 14

The students not only serve as cadet teachers, but many work onsite in the various fields, or attend classes in their own high school. Many are paid for their onsite work.

“Our program is good for students, whether they are paid for the work or not,” Hensley said.

“Most of the work choices offer dual credit, not only credits towards high school graduation, but also college credits as well,” he said.

There have been some unique programs that have served the community as a whole, with one, in particular, that pleased Hensley greatly.

“We had kids in our program that built a house for the Habitat organization, the house in its entirety, and did a good job, “ he said.

Among the programs offered are

introductory and regular programs in automotive technology, construction technology, drafting technology and machine tool technology, plus radio/ television broadcasting, child care services, cosmetology, agricultural business and technology, certified nursing assistant, medical terminology and office administration, and interactive media web design.

The RHS program was created in July, 1980, and is going stronger than ever. Hensley is in his 11th year at RHS. “Our program works with great instructors and people in the private sector, and I am proud that our effort is growing at a time when enrollment has been shrinking in recent years in our school system,” he said.

“I think our program is a strength at Richmond High School.”

WORKFORCE O F T H E F U T U R E

Purdue cultivates math & science students

M

By Pam Tharp Maximum Business

ention higher education in Richmond and Purdue University won’t likely be the first school that comes to mind, even though Purdue has offered classes here since 1966.

The Purdue University College of Technology is working hard to raise awareness of all it has to offer in Richmond, especially when it comes to emphasizing its opportunities for traditional college-age students, said director Mike Swain.

Housed in Tom Raper Hall on the IU East campus, The Purdue College of Technology offers degrees in computer graphics technology, engineering technology, industrial technology, mechanical engineering and organizational leadership and supervision.

“People tend to forget we are here.

We are the most specialized of the higher eds in town,” Swain said.

“What we do we do extremely well, offering Purdue-quality programs.”

The Richmond program is known for engineering, but employment opportunities also include careers in management, computer graphics, and quality control, Swain said.

The College of Technology searches for potential students in “Project Lead the Way” classes in area high schools,

Swain said. Project Lead the Way programs emphasize critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. The hands-on learning puts students on a path to postsecondary training and career success.

Purdue also provides encouragement to teachers of STEM classes: science, technology, engineering and math.

“We speak to Project Lead the Way students and some make field trips to us to do some hands-on projects,” Swain said. “There are so many jobs in STEM areas.”

Women are under-represented in STEM employment, so Purdue offers an annual “Paint Purdue Pink” event to encourage girls to think about careers in those areas, Swain said.

The Richmond Purdue program participates in the “College for a Day” event each fall to give 8th grade students the chance to visit a class, so they get a feel for a college classroom environment, Swain said. It also offers an Emerging Leaders Workshop in the summer for high school students who want to be involved in school leadership. The three-day workshop teaches a variety of skills and is another opportunity for them to see how those skills can be used in different settings, whether in school, government or the workplace, Swain said.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

Reaching students early is critical

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The Purdue University College of Technology seeks to recruit under-represented young women into its science, technology, engineering and math programs.

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

Accomplishments

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Denise Lanman has joined the staff of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce as director of education and events. Lanman previously worked in the banking industry. She has been active in the American Indian community for more than 25 years, fundraising for special events and acting as an adult adviser for the Mik sis ah wah sis Youth Council.

Sunny Mitchell, a branch supervisor for First Bank Richmond, was elected to the board of directors of the Wayne County Minority Health Coalition.

Potter Color and Supply in Cambridge City has been acquired by Painters Supply & Equipment Co. headquartered in Taylor, Mich. The Cambridge City business sells body shop supplies and equipment and industrial coating. This is Painters Supply’s first acquisition in Indiana EEGle Group moved to 139 S. Fifth St. in Richmond. The company provides stress management programs for individuals and corporations. Owners are Jim and Lana Sprouse.

Clear Creek Food Co-op at 710 E. Main St. in Richmond took first place in Center City Development’s 2012 Window Decorating Contest. More than 400 people voted online or by paper ballot to choose the winner.

Tonya Breymier, assistant professor of nursing and associate dean for nursing graduate programs at Indiana University East, has been accepted into the National League for Nursing Leadership Institute’s 2013 LEAD program.

Jerry Dils, founder of Richmond’s RMD/ Patti Insurance, received the Harry P. Cooper Jr. Industry/Public Image Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana in recognition of his active role in business and the community.

Jeff Boulware has been promoted to bar manager at the Briar-Pitte pub and steakhouse in Cambridge City. Boulware has bartended, served and cooked at the restaurant since it was purchased by owners Brian and Denise Canady in 2011.

Debra J. Robinson of Harrington Hoch Inc. received the 2012 Distinguished Customer Service Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana.

The award is given in recognition of loyalty, achievement and Robinson professional growth.

Gregory E. White, manager of the west-side AutoZone store, has been selected as a member of the company’s President’s Club as one of the top 5 percent of 5,000 store managers nationwide.

He also received the J.R. Hyde Jr. Leadership Award. White has managed both Richmond AutoZone locations.

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Quality Inn & Conference Center offers space ­for company meetings The Quality Inn is large hotel and conference center operating on Richmond’s east side.

The facility features 135 guest rooms, including two-room suites, Jacuzzi rooms, and is handicap-accessible.

Vickie Rude, one of four managers at the business, spoke recently about the facility, its accomplishments, present and future.

Daniel Yorn is the general manager at the Quality Inn, which underwent a name change from the Holiday Inn in December, 2010.

Rude has worked at the Richmond business for 3 1/2 years.

“We offer a variety of meeting rooms for businesses and conferences, plus the opportunity for various family events,” Rude said.

Among those events are wedding and anniversary receptions, family reunions, and birthday parties can be staged at the hotel’s pool and whirlpool.

“The facility has four conference rooms, plus two banquet rooms, which can be modified to form one large room,” the manager Rude described.

Rude said that wedding receptions for as many as 400 people have taken place at the hotel.

As of now, the manager said, the Under Ground Restaurant at the site is closed. But the bar there is open four days a week, starting at 5 p.m. There is limited food service available.

At Kicks 96 and 101.7 The Point radio, Jeff Lane, news director, received Spectrum Awards for Best Breaking News Coverage and Best Newscast from the Indiana Broadcasters Association, and was runner-up in the Best Sportscasting category. Paula Kay King, general manager, was certified as a radio sales manager while account executives Sandra Marcum and Katie Alyea both earned the designation of radio marketing professional from the Radio Advertising Bureau.

Meridian Health Services has a new location at 730 W. Washington St. in Win-

chester. The agency, with offices in Richmond, Muncie and New Castle, provides psychiatric medical services, counseling and therapy, case management and skills training.

Tim Frame, senior vice president and chief lending officer at West End Bank, has been appointed to the Richmond Community and Economic Devel-

opment Revolving Loan Fund board by Mayor Sally Hutton.

Certified nursing assistants Courtney Carlin, Duana Drew, Katie Dubois and Rachel Eggers have completed Caregiver I training classes at Friends Fellowship Community.

Reid Hospital has been recognized in “American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013,” a new report by HealthGrades, a

provider of consumer information about physicians and hospitals. Reid’s recognitions include: Patient Safety Excellence Award for 2011-2012; Pulmonary Care Excellence Award for 2013; and five-star ratings for joint replacement (2011-2012), total knee replacement (2012-2013), overall pulmonary services (2013), treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012-2013), treatment of pneumonia (2011-2013), carotid surgery (2011-2013), GI procedures and surgeries (2013) and treatment of sepsis (2013). In addition, Reid was ranked among the top 5 percent in the nation for overall pulmonary care, sixth in Indiana for overall pulmonary services and second in Indiana for vascular surgery, all for 2013.

Becky Leith is December Volunteer of the Month at Reid Hospital. Becky often assists with various projects and events, most recently prostate screening registration, Chamber Career Day and sewing Christmas stockings for Reid’s December newborns. She currently works for Richmond Community School’s athletic department assisting with events and is active with Area 9. Emily Wise was November’s Volunteer of the Month.

For more than eight years, Wise has also been helping with Leith special assignments at the hospital, including prostrate screening registration and preparations for the Humanity in Medicine dinner.

LEAN facilitator Craig Towns was named Reid Hospital’s December Ambassador. The Richmond resident is described as always helpful, full of energy and as having a terrific sense of humor. Surprised Towns at being named ambassador, Craig said, “I enjoy working at Reid because of

Events

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of special education, and Margaret McGranahan, visiting lecturer of education at Lawrenceburg.

Rob Zinkan, vice chancellor for external affairs at Indiana UniverZhong sity East, and John Oak Dalton, IU East director of communications and marketing, presented “We Are Family: Maximizing Your Faculty/Staff Campaign” at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Indiana.

Zinkan also was co-presenter of “Lifetime Relationships and Engagement in Higher Education” for a webinar provided by mStoner, a national higher education marketing firm.

Fredricka Joyner, associate professor of business administration and organization behavior, presented on “Bridging Past Perspectives into a New Future” at the Int’l. Leadership Ass’n. Conference in Denver, Colo., as well as “Models and Metaphors” at the Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Tim Scales, lecturer in business administration, received a Distinguished Alumni Entrepreneur Award from Anderson University Falls School of Business. Registrar Dennis Hicks presented “FERPA Unplugged: An Overview and Update on the FERPA Regulations” at the Indiana Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in Bloomington. Jean Harper, associate professor of English, received “The Florida Review” Editors Award.

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Wayne Teachers Credit Union Grand ReOpening: Jan. 4, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Wayne County 2013 Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, Jan.18, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Kuhlman Center.

Preble County Safety Council Every third Wednesday of each month (Jan. 16) from noon to 1 p.m., Preble County YMCA, 450 Washington-Jackson Rd., Eaton, Ohio. For more information call, 937-456-4949 Civic Hall Performing Arts Center Pianist Jim Brickman, Feb. 2, 8 p.m., 380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond. Tickets: adults, $28; students/active military, $20. For more information call, (765)973-3350. Jim Brickman revolutionized the sound of solo piano with his pop-style instrumentals and star-studded vocal collaborations. He’s established a reputation for his collaborations with many artists: Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Kenny Loggins, Michael W. Smith, Carly Simon, Herb Alpert, Collin Raye, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond, and Olivia Newton-John.

Richmond Art Museum/Reid Hospital Foundation Art to Heart, a premiere gala and auction: Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m. Forest Hills Country Club.

The mission this year is to benefit Richmond Art Museum Community Education Programs and Reid Hospital Oncology Services. The event’s proceeds are shared equally. For more information call, (765) 983-3102.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

professor of chemistry; Andrew Vlasic, visiting assistant professor of mathematics; Gloria Dixon, lecturer of nursing; and Cindy Farris, visiting assistant professor of nursing.

Additionally, six new faculty members have joined the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Indiana UniverPetersheim sity East. Chera LaForge, assistant professor of political science, Carrie Longley, assistant professor of fine arts, Tanya Perkins, lecturer of English, Steven Petersheim, assistant professor of English, Mark Trammel Stanek, visiting assistant professor of music, and Beth Trammell, assistant professor psychology.

The IUE School of Business and Economics welcomed three new faculty members: April Savoy, assistant professor of business administration and program director for informatics; LaCalvince Simpson, lecturer in marketing and entrepreneurship and director of the business program at the Danielson Center; and Litao Zhong, assistant professor of economics and finance. Additionally two additions to the School of Education faculty were announced: Jamie Buffington Adams, visiting lecturer

Ivy Tech Community College Student Nursing Club Meetings: Jan. 4 and Feb. 1, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Johnson Hall, Room 2321

Indiana University East Read to Lead Series: Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m., “Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable” by Seth Godin. Facilitator: Rob Zinkan.

Feb. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Book: “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek, Facilitator: Fredricka Joyner. IU East Community Room. RSVP iue.edu/ leadership

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the healthy work environment and the family atmosphere.” Tara McCreary was the November Ambassador. McCreary is a transporter, working mainly in emergency services on first and third shifts.

The Liberty resident has worked at Reid for three years.

Judy Stang was named West End Bank’s Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2012. Stang is the senior teller at the bank’s Liberty office. West End Bank also has announced two additions to its staff: Sherri Helton is the new branch manager in Hagerstown and Patrice Bolin is mortgage loan originator at the east-side Richmond office.

Cathy Becker with Lingle Real Estate has completed a one-day course in short sales and foreclosures conducted by the Council of Residential Specialists of the National Association of Realtors.

Vote winners from the 2012 Taste of Wayne County event included Galo’s Italian Grill for Favorite Entrée, Cafe at Twelve Hundred for Favorite Dessert.

Second place in both categories went to Fecher’s Panache and third place to Forest Hills Country Club.

Dr. Emilie Jennings has joined the practice of Whitewater Eye Centers.

She will perform eye examinations for contact lenses, glasses, disease management and family optometry at the practice’s Connersville office.

Gary Brown has been named leader of the Columbus, Ohio, office of Brady Ware, a regional accounting and consulting firm with additional offices in Richmond, Dayton and Atlanta, GA. Brown joined the firm from Nipps, Brown, Collins & Associates, which merged with Brady Ware. Sam Agresti will lead the firm’s dealership services team.

Indiana University East announced the appointment of four new faculty members in various departments: Yu Kay Law, assistant Dixon

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• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, December 2012/January 2013

CHAMBER VOICES

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Chamber career day connects high schoolers to real work jobs

By Ron Greeson For Maximum Business

I

t was a day of opportunity, a great chance for high school sophomores from around the area to learn about careers.

And meet people who do those jobs.

The event was the Career Conference staged late last month by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce on the north side of Richmond.

Host sites for the annual meeting were Indiana University East, the Purdue University College of Technology, Ivy Tech, and a new host, Reid Hospital and Health Care Services.

Around 800 people, 750 students from the five Wayne County public high schools, plus about 50 high school counselors and teachers, were attendees at this year’s program.

“The event gives kids a chance to learn about careers and jobs they might be interested in,” said Amy Holthouse, president and CEO of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce.

It was her second year in planning

Approximately 750 students attended the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce’s Career Conference in November.

the Career Conference, and third year of involvement overall.

“We had a ton of kids and a ton of volunteers,” Holthouse said.

The format for this year was slightly different than in the past.

Attendees went to one or other of the

sites based on six separate clusters of jobs that had been identified. Those six clusters were health sciences, public & social sciences, industrial/technology, the arts, business, and education.

Participants attended overview sessions for each cluster, with a virtual

tour from businesses and organizations in that cluster.

There were four group sessions for each student, with a presenter in each case, who offered their experience and knowledge about that field.

“I think it’s valuable that kids learn about some things that you could experience in a given field,” Holthouse said.

“The opportunity to meet people in a job, to make connections, can be very important.”

The chamber head said the feedback to the changes in the format of the event has been positive.

“We have tried to get different perspectives in a field,” she went on.

“Moving even more in that direction would be good, I think, because there can be a wide variety of jobs and situations, even in a single job field.”

The jobs highlighted were chose on the top 50 careers that have identified, and then local connections in those fields were invited to be a part of the program, which has gone back over a decade.

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Golden Engineering is enjoying an expansion of its business.

And to handle that, the familyowned, Centerville-based business is expanding its building just north of the city.

Company president Roger Golden spoke recently about the company’s success, and the need for expansion as Golden Engineering is close to a 40-year anniversary.

“We manufacture portable x-ray machines, and the company added a fourth model this year,” Golden said.

“We needed more space because the fourth model is a bigger model, so we need more room for the components, and also, since we hope to do more service work here, we needed more space.”

Golden said that the business now employs 24 people and will likely stay at that number, at least for now.

However, he said the possibility of adding fifth and sixth models to the line in the future could change that.

The business was founded by Roger’s father John Golden in Ann Arbor, Mich. in 1973.

In 1980, Golden Engineering relocated to multiple locations in Greens Fork, then a single building for the business was constructed at the current site in 1991.

Roger serves as president of the firm, with his brother Phillip also

working at Golden Engineering, as well as his sister Brenda Miller.

John Golden passed away in 2009, but Roger’s mother Mary still works part-time in the Golden Engineering office.

The client base for Golden is world-wide, international in scope.

Golden’s x-ray machines are designed for industrial and security purposes, and according to Golden, are used primarily in refineries, paper mills and to examine piping.

“Our machines have found a niche in the market by being safe, small, lightweight and portable,” Roger Golden explained. “But we are always looking to improve our machines overall, especially in longevity.”

So, in the new year of 2013 Golden Engineering will seek continued growth.

“To continue our growth, we need to recognize the potential for more demand and sell internationally,” he said.

• Maximum Business • Palladium-Item Media Group, Ocotber/November 2012

EFFECTIVE SEARCH ENGINE STRATEGIES

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Member Spotlight

SAVE THE DATE Wayne County 2013 Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, Jan.18 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Kuhlman Center.

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