John Savage
John Savage was a pilot with US Air for 19 years. As he saw the situation declining,
he did some serious soul searching and decided to make a career change. He was able
to retire from US Air and buy a Furniture Medic franchise, where he and his wife
repair and restore antique furniture.
He started attending PAPEN meetings in 2003, and in October, he became Program Chair
for the Butler chapter. When Vance Engleman, a guest speaker who has since passed
away, offered free career consultations to PAPEN Participants, John took him up
on the offer. Together they worked on a variety of things including: getting a better
definition of himself, exploring personality profiles, improving his resume, and
investigating different career options.
John had a degree in Political Science and an MBA in Marketing from the late 1980's.
He was disillusioned with corporations. He liked hands-on work and was mechanically
inclined. Putting all this together, John decided to buy the franchise, took the
classes, and started his business part-time in 2004. In April of 2005, he took the
plunge and went to full-time furniture repair. John says, "In time, we will see
how successful I become. For now, I am having the time of my life!"
John looks back and is thankful that he accepted the offer from Vance. He encourages
others to consider taking advantage of similar offers from guest speakers at PAPEN.
Free consultations can be a great resource for anyone who wants to open new doors
of opportunity. Exploring your options and reinventing yourself could mean the difference
between being stuck in a job and truly enjoying your career.
By Laurel Patterson
John Laslo
John Laslo is currently working as a Logistics Manager with Eramet North America,
a leading manganese ferro-alloys producer with capacity of about 160 tones per year
for sales of $302,000,000 per year. He knows first hand the value of PAPEN. To hear
from others of its value is one thing; to experience it firsthand, on more than
one occasion, is far more meaningful.
John has been a Participant of PAPEN for 10 years. The first time through its doors,
he barely benefited from it for the usual reasons—not being totally involved, not
fully getting the concepts presented, or not applying the speakers’ advice. But,
as he had occasion to use PAPEN at later times, he realized the true value, got
involved, paid attention and applied the things he learned.
This is the reason he is employed today. In 2003, when the steel industry had another
downturn, the company he worked for dissolved his entire department, including the
Vice President to whom John reported. He was able to land his current job through
networking. It was actually through a chain of four people, each one mentioning
John to another until someone suggested he speak with a person at Eramet. On the
interview, that person said, “If Dave said you’re alright, then I needed to talk
to you.”
The job search wasn’t easy. They didn’t call him out of the blue. He pursued the
leads, made the calls, asked the questions, and got the results. He’s quite busy
now at Eramet, and gratefully so.
John deeply believes in PAPEN. It has really affected his life in ways he never
imagined. That’s why he’s currently on the board. His suggestion to those who are
unemployed is to attend PAPEN meetings, really get involved, apply what’s covered
and experience the rewards.
By Laurel Patterson
Art Probola
Art is an accomplished business professional, currently in career transition, interested
in Facilities / Maintenance or Production / Operations Management positions in the
Greater Pittsburgh area. Throughout his career, he has successfully supervised /
managed assets, budgets, contractors, engineers, facilities, machinery, maintenance
trades and crafts, materials, operations, personnel safety, procurement, production,
projects, regulatory compliance initiatives, vendors, suppliers and utilities. He
also has excellent oral, written, supervisory, managerial and interpersonal skills
that drive positive results, getting things done in a timely manner as efficiently,
safely and cost effectively as possible by using operational excellence techniques
on a consistent basis.
His strategy for job searching- follow an organized business plan. Search for jobs
on the Internet job boards and newspapers a minimal amount, spending a majority
of the time networking because most professional positions are obtained through
developing relationships. Keep active- it prevents drifting into the classic pitfalls
between careers- shock, denial, fear, panic, anger and depression.
Art is not only the Chairperson for PAPEN, he is also an active Board member for
the Workquest organization (technical writers), a co-facilitator for the Seekers
Greensburg networking group, a regular participant for the Seekers Ingomar and Priority
Two organizations, a client of the PA CareerLink and the Career Development Center
in Squirrel Hill (part of the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Pittsburgh).
Lessons he’s learned in his searches: always having a Positive Attitude - it’s contagious;
have your “Game Face” on at all times- you only get one chance to make a first impression;
provide help to others- it is better to give than to receive; network, network,
network- it’s the most successful means to get the next job.
By Laurel Patterson
Pradip
Pradip is now working for Westinghouse doing the particular kind of work he was
actually looking for. After completing his last consulting assignment, Pradip reviewed
his options and decided to aim for his true desire-project management in the field
of Information Technology. He stuck to his plans and has been rewarded with a job
he is very comfortable with.
This determination to stick to his goal was tested as he performed his job search.
Even at his first interview with Westinghouse, Pradip had to tell them the position
was something he had "no passion for." The interesting thing was that the manager
was still impressed with him and shared his resume and information with another
manager in the same department. A second interview with this manager resulted in
a job offer as a Project Manager for a simulator project.
"PAPEN has had an absolutely wonderful influence on me," Pradip told me. He learned
essential lessons on networking. He also assisted Participants as the Programs Chairperson
by selecting guest speakers to present quality information. This helped him to focus,
not just on himself, but how he could help and inspire others. He appreciates PAPEN
and hopes to remain involved.
As for words of wisdom for others who are unemployed, Pradip has some encouraging
insights:
- Believe in yourself and your abilities.
- You are born for greater things-unemployment is merely an aberration in the larger
scheme of things.
- It is critical to network, to widen your horizons, and to tell your story effectively.
- Try to help others unconditionally.
By Laurel Patterson
Bill Long
Little did Bill Long know when he lost his job in September 2004 that his best-paying,
best-fitting job was in his future. Now he is filled with enthusiasm for his work
as Pittsburgh Program Manager for the non-profit agency Operation Hope, based in
Los Angeles, California. His work involves planning, coordinating, and making presentations
for the Banking on Our Future program. He trains volunteers who go out to schools
and community organizations where they teach young people enrolled in the financial
literacy program.
Bill is a Participant of the Westmoreland chapter of PAPEN. Thanks to the PAPEN
Job Leads, he found his work through Dewey and Kayes Jobs Watch. After applying,
he received an unexpected phone call as he was cleaning his house and immediately
did his first of four interviews-three on the phone and one in person at the airport.
He was quite grateful for all that practice of his elevator speech, because the
advanced preparation at PAPEN helped him to think fast on his feet.
PAPEN presentations on using key words to define his skill sets helped, too. His
key words (planning, coordinating, and presenting) matched exactly what Operation
Hope was looking for.
Bill has found a special niche that fits him perfectly. As Bill put it, "The job
is truly me."
By Laurel Patterson
Kathy Hollahan
Like so many job situations today, Kathy Hollahan has been hired more than once,
only to see the company downsize or close. Kathy was at Eaton Cuttler-Hammer for
25 years, then Bayer Corp., R. Davenport and Associates, and Pittsburgh Center for
the Arts. As these positions came and went, Kathy discovered a nitch she now serves
as a Consultant, transferring her corporate skills to the non-profit sector.
While Kathy is quick to praise PAPEN for playing a significant part in her positive
employment experience, it is also obvious that her positive outlook was significant
as well. She found PAPEN to be an excellent support group, and experienced how being
actively involved increased the benefits of Participation.
There are two things Kathy has learned from her experience:
- Networking does work. Don't just fill a rolodex with business cards; but rather,
use those contacts to build and maintain relationships.
- Your job search is your JOB. Approach it with that mindset, filling a 40-hour work
week with job search activities, and you will be much more productive.
By Laurel Patterson
Dan Durishan
Dan Durishan is a Participant of the Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network
(PAPEN). The name itself says a lot to Dan. It's not just attending a meeting and
listening to a speaker, then heading home. This is the place where he networks with
a variety of unemployed and employed professionals. And many of the relationships
he's developed have stood the test of time as Participants move with the ebb and
flow of changes in their lives and careers.
He currently has two jobs, both thanks to relationships built through the Network.
He works at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC involving credit management of their
accounts receivable. He also does part-time contractual work for CreditVest. While
working in the banking and technology industries, Dan has been unemployed a number
of times during the past decade, and PAPEN has been there for him.
Dan has been there for PAPEN as well. He is on the executive board. And he was the
founding Director of the Westmoreland Chapter when it was reactivated after several
years of inactivity. When he returned to his native western Pennsylvania and joined
PAPEN, he received support, mentoring, company contacts, and so much more. He returns
the favor by staying involved, whether unemployed or not. This way he continues
to help PAPEN newcomers and does his part to keep the Network energized and effective.
His advice to fellow Participants: Get involved. Develop relationships. Make phone
calls to other Participants during the week. "The goal is to seek information, especially
information from people who are currently in decision-making positions of influence,"
Dan says. "Once you have good information, many of the good results happen. You're
able to make your decisions based on the knowledge that you've obtained." Talk with
as many self-employed people as you can because they're looking for work every single
day. That's true whether they're in the retail business or a consultant. Get help
and support; give help and support. When we do this, we more quickly connect with
the right people and the right job, as well as develop lifelong relationships available
during any phase of our careers.
By Laurel Patterson