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Is education the key to success?

Have you heard the phrase, “getting an education is the key to success”? And have you ever tried to decipher what this means? When I hear the word “education,” the first thing that comes to mind is someone who chooses to go to college and pursue a degree. However, getting an education can also include going through a certification program and following a tradesman’s path. Today’s norm is to attend college, but have you considered taking an alternative path? If so, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of every educational path you are considering and use labor market information to influence your decision.

2022 Point-In-Time Downtown Houston Survey

In January 2022, The Way Home and The Coalition for the Homeless teamed up to conduct their annual Point-In-Time (PIT) count. During the count, volunteers surveyed individuals experiencing homelessness in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. As the Navigator for Workforce Solutions’ Income Now program, I had the opportunity to volunteer at this year’s PIT count. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were allowed to form teams or venture on our own into the downtown Houston area to conduct interviews and collect data using an app on our cell phones.

Utility Player or Specialist

Most agree that Nolan Ryan is one of the best pitchers in the history of major league baseball, and excelled in all aspects of the position. Although fans have not seen him play other positions like shortstop or outfield, we can safely assume he would have been below average. Nolan Ryan had a specialty that brought value to the team. However, his value got him traded to at least four major league teams.

Hiring Events vs. Job Fairs

When searching for a job, people usually try to get as many contacts as possible. Workforce Solutions staff often discuss in detail the importance of networking and building relationships with employers. It’s stressed so much that part of our training and development includes a networking segment devoted to its effectiveness. One section discussed during the training is hiring events and job fairs. Many of us know that hiring events and job fairs are where people go to speak with employers about jobs offered.