Tech Jobs Open House, October 29

By Rochelle Maruch Miller

Chani usually performed the requisite due diligence when making major decisions. Before attending seminary in Israel, Chani and her parents conducted extensive research, applying to institutions fitting Chani’s hashkafah and academic goals. Upon her return from seminary, Chani and her parents began a new extensive research–this time dedicating their efforts to finding a compatible shidduch for Chani.

To be sure, life-altering decisions require thoughtful consideration and deliberation to facilitate making a wise choice. Which is precisely why Chani should have considered her long-term career interests and options before enrolling in college, instead of merely “following the crowd.”

Attending college, Chani found herself without a direction or a major. Wisely, she reached out to those who offer education and career support geared to young people in our community. WayFind advised Chani to pursue her strengths and focus on a career in interior design. She transferred to New York School of Design and is very happy. Additionally, WayFind connected Chani to an internship at a prestigious interior-design firm, where she has been working for a year, in addition to attending school. Chani is ecstatic, and with good reason! She is passionate about her work and eagerly anticipates expressing her creativity each day.

Chani is representative of the many young men and women who face career choices seemingly devoid of any guidance, without taking the right variables into consideration. Often, career choices are made hurriedly, with little or no understanding of long-term job suitability. As a result, many choose a career based on a limited set of options based on what is commonly done in the community; ability; speed and cost of the degree; and minimum salary. Rather than focusing on what they are good at and enjoy doing, they often focus on who they know, as well as proficiency in a specific field of study in high school or college.

Making decisions based on the aforementioned limited variables means missing the scope of other available positions that may potentially be more suitable for these young men and women. Such decisions are uninformed since many are not aware of what they are good at or enjoy. Whereas they may procure a job based on their ability, interest is key to professional fulfillment and satisfaction. Ultimately, choosing a job on the basis of short-term placement will lead to dissatisfaction and will not guarantee success–more than 80% of people do not enjoy their jobs.

Dr. Alan Kadish, president of Touro College and University Systems, contends that perhaps the most important piece of knowledge people must acquire before choosing a career is self-awareness.

“People who like what they are doing have greater success,” he stated in an article published in Mishpacha. That means students should identify what naturally attracts them and choose careers that enable them to do what they enjoy.

The five-step process Dr. Kadish advises in developing self-awareness before choosing a career involves: What do you like doing? What are you good at? What type of work—life balance are you looking for, or how long are you willing to go to school? What opportunities exist in the field? Where will the jobs be in the future? Here, one must do his or her homework to ensure that today’s hot profession isn’t tomorrow’s passing fad. Current surveys indicate that areas like high-tech, data analysis, and healthcare will be on the upswing for years to come, but it’s not always easy to tell.

For the recent yeshiva, seminary, or college graduate, navigating the transition into the workforce can be fraught with anxiety. WayFind facilitates the process by educating individuals about themselves and the career options best suited for them. WayFind uncovers each person’s core strengths, interests, and motivators and then explores multiple career options with each client based on his or her personal profile, evaluating options through education and prioritization. Affording professional guidance throughout the process, WayFind customizes a roadmap for planning a highly successful, fulfilling, and financially lucrative career.

WayFind offers a three-session package that is self-explanatory and informative. It includes a variety of assessments, a customized profile, and a career framework that visually examines the relationship between careers and values.

Clients receive information on their choices but are also required to conduct guided research. Often, WayFind schedules calls with professionals to further educate their clients.

Exploring the science and technology sector. According to Mordy Golding, director of content at LinkedIn, entry-level salaries in science begin at $93,000. Golding, whose career includes stints at Adobe and Lynda, is adamant that high-tech careers offer exceptional opportunities for Orthodox Jews.

“The future of the workforce is going to involve programming. It’s a skill that can be used across any industry. Every company today needs tech development.”

To help the frum community get the skills needed for lucrative jobs with growth potential, WayFind has partnered with General Assembly, an industry leader in preparing people for technology careers, to create gender-separate boot camps. Based in New York City, men’s and women’s classes will focus on full stack Web development (creating both the front and back ends of Web products), UX (user interface) design, and data science. They will launch in January with a full-stack boot camp.

WayFind is bringing career coaching into the partnership with General Assembly in order to afford clients additional job options in the ever-expanding field of technology. General Assembly’s 12-week boot camps have an excellent track record of teaching people everything they need to find a job.

This Sunday, October 29, WayFind will host an open-house event, titled “Future Tech Jobs for the Frum Community,” at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. The program will feature a panel discussion, moderated by Mordy Golding and Avi Singer of showd.me, on career opportunities in this rapidly growing area. Featured panelists will include Chaim Fried, founder and CEO of OWAL; Sruli Derdik, principal engineer of platform services at Adobe Systems; Rachel Geisler, software engineer at Google; and other frum professionals working for Fortune 100 companies.

Mordy Golding affirmed the many benefits a future in technology affords a Torah-observant individual: “Of the top 25 skills required for any job today, 10 did not exist ten years ago. They are all tech skills, and people who have them can go anywhere. There is such demand in these areas that people can work part-time or work from home. It’s extremely flexible.”

The open house will begin at 8:00 p.m. and is open to men and women, parents, and students. Admission is complimentary. For additional information and to RSVP, please call WayFind at 516-253-1147 or visit www.wayfindcareers.com.

Rochelle Maruch Miller is a contributing editor for the Five Towns Jewish Times. She is a journalist, creative-media consultant, lecturer, and educator who writes for magazines, newspapers, websites, and private clients. She welcomes your comments at Rochellemiller04@aol.com.

 

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