Moraine Park Technical College Blog - Imagine What's Next
  • Moraine Park Technical College
    • Login
Moraine Park Technical College Blog - Imagine What's Next
Career Center, Community Engagement, Student Services & Support

Why volunteer? What is in it for you?

operation Christmas CHild

Students, are you looking for a way to give back, network or gain experience before you graduate? If so, consider volunteering. Volunteering can do this and so much more.

Volunteering helps you make a difference by helping others or a business in need. Volunteering can help you gain confidence in your skills that you learned throughout your program and can help provide proof (prove-it statements) that you can use during your upcoming interviews.

Volunteering can also help you advance in your career. Shawn Anchor of Goodthink Inc. researched the impact of Positive Psychology. Shawn Anchor’s research noted that people that reach out and help others are more likely to be engaged at work or get a promotion. Giving back to others can promote happiness and goodwill, and help you throughout your career.

Volunteering also provides an ability to network with individuals with interests similar to you. This can be a great way to showcase your skills and meet others in your career field or interests.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering activities available in our community, please connect with Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator at Moraine Park. Visit the Community Impact webpage at https://www.morainepark.edu/community-impact/.

Your Moraine Park Careers Instructors can help you enhance your resume with the outcomes from your volunteer experience. Connect with us and schedule an appointment for a resume review. We are here to help you! Visit the Career Center webpage at http://morainepark.edu/Careers.

Fond du Lac | 920-924-3244 | Lisa Ferguson | lferguson@morainepark.edu

West Bend | 262-335-5773 | Rhonda Roehrig | rroehrig2@morainepark.edu

Beaver Dam | 920-887-4437

We look forward to working with you!



March 6, 2021by Lisa Ferguson
Career Center, College Communications, Health Careers & Wellness

Virtual Medical Assistant Employment Event

Fifteen soon-to-be Medical Assistant graduates participated in virtual employment event to interact with area healthcare employers. Representatives from Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension WI, Froedert, SSM Agnesian, SSM Health, UW Health, and Wildwood Family clinic participated in the event. While the employment event is not new to the MA program, holding this in a virtual environment was a new experience for all.

Moraine Park Technical College’s Associate Dean of Health, Ben McKenzie shared welcoming remarks with the group stating the importance of staying current with interviewing skills. He emphasized using the interview process to determine if the organization is a good fit for you.

Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA), Katie Blessing, offered tips to stay engaged and grow in the MA field. She recommended to look for networking opportunities for continuity of care. Katie stated to treat your practicum experience like a job interview. Demonstrate that you want to be there: be willing, able and ready to help every day! In addition, Katie suggested to look at the total package offered by the employer, not just the starting pay when you are starting out as a Medical Assistant.

Medical Assistant students received Service Learning Recognition Awards for their volunteer work this past year from Anne Lemke, Student Community Impact Coordinator.

Employers addressed student questions during the Employee Panel portion of the event. Some of the employers reinforced sharing your passion and drive to be an MA during the interview. Important qualities to employers include being upbeat, flexible, willing to learn, being a team player, soft skills, and communication skills. Employers look to complement their current team with new hires; they want to make sure that their organization is the right fit for the prospective employee. Each employer shared what sets their organization apart from the other employers.

Employers conducted Mock Interviews with the students and provided feedback on their resumes.

Sarah Chojnacki, Medical Assistant Program Director coordinated and facilitated the event. Lisa Ferguson, Careers Instructor assisted with facilitation.

Moraine Park Careers Instructors can offer assistance with: Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviewing, Job Search, Career Fit and so much more!

Contact us at: www.morainepark.edu/careers

Fond du Lac | 920-924-3244 | Lisa Ferguson | lferguson@morainepark.edu

West Bend | 262-335-5773 | Rhonda Roehrig | rroehrig2@morainepark.edu

Beaver Dam | 920-887-4437

November 24, 2020by Lisa Ferguson
Career Center, Student Services & Support

Virtual Interview Success Tips

interview

With a shift of more Americans working remotely during COVID-19, companies are using virtual platforms to interview job candidates. Want to get prepared for a virtual interview?  Contact a Careers Instructor today!

Moraine Park’s Career Centers have virtual interviewing practice available using InterviewStream software.  InterviewStream mock interviews provide students with knowledge and confidence to excel at job interviews in a virtual setting.  This format provides flexibility to practice interviewing anytime and anywhere.  Interview preparation helps students perfect their pitch to employers. 

InterviewStream

Here are some useful tips to increase your virtual interviewing success (adapted from InterviewStream Best Practices)

  1. Create a Video-Friendly Environment

It is important to have everything in place before you begin. You want to limit distractions so the focus is on you, not what’s in your background. Follow these simple guidelines below to create the ideal background environment:

  • Position your webcam at eye-level.
  • Adjust your lighting for high-quality video,

Turn on any available lights in the room and check to make sure there is no glare on your monitor. Never use your monitor as your light source.

Be mindful of your background.

Position yourself in front of a wall with neutral colors; avoid patterns, wallpaper, and mirrors.

Be sure your recording area is clean and organized.  A tidy workspace conveys professionalism and organization to your potential employer.

Turn off all appliances or devices that may create ambient noise or disrupt your interview.

  • Make your recording space quiet and comfortable.

Eliminate all possible distractions and interruptions – turn off your cell phone and if you’re at home, make sure people in the house know you are taking an interview.

2. Prepare for your Interview

Mental preparation for your interview is just as important as the physical setup. You should prepare for your pre-recorded video interview with the same tenacity and focus as if you were walking into your potential employer’s office.

  • Practice, Practice, Practice – before you even turn your webcam on, try practicing by looking into the camera as if you were having a conversation with someone sitting in front of you.

In a traditional interview, eye contact is of the utmost importance, so make sure you look directly into the camera to answer the questions posed to you.

Do not look at the computer screen when answering questions – this places your line of sight below the webcam and you will appear to be looking down from the interviewer’s point of view.

It may seem awkward at first, but the more you rehearse looking at the webcam and not the person on the screen, the more comfortable you will feel during your interview.

  • Research the organization and be prepared to answer company-specific questions.

Familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement, history, product and service offerings, management, and information about the company culture.

Polish your answers – nothing destroys your credibility faster than a constant stream of filler words such as “um”, “like”, and “you know”.

  • Dress for success; communicate professionalism with your attire.

Men: Navy, black, or dark pants, long sleeve dress shirt, conservative tie, professional, clean-cut hairstyle, clean-shaven.

Women: Navy, black, or dark grey pants or skirt, coordinated blouse, limited jewelry, professional hairstyle, and light make-up.

In general, you should look as if you put considerable time and effort into your personal appearance. Your clothing should be a complement, not a distraction.

3. Complete the Interview

The most important step in this process is answering the pre-recorded interview questions. Our video interviewing experts have provided some suggestions below:

  • Speak clearly and enunciate.

You don’t want your brilliant answers to be lost because you were mumbling.

Practice answering questions and time yourself to make sure you are answering effectively in the allotted time.

  • Listen to each question, contemplate your response, and answer concisely.

Make sure you answer the question being asked.

If you are given the opportunity to retry your answer, attempt to nail down your response sooner rather than later. We have found that more tries may begin to dilute a clear message, so your first or second answer will likely be your best.

  • Take a deep breath, relax, and let your personality shine through.

At the end of the day, employers hire human beings, not just the name at the top of a resume.

Smile and have fun – remember, if you are adequately prepared, you will be successful.

4. Contact a Moraine Park Technical College Careers Instructor for additional practice and feedback!

Careers Instructors are available to support you remotely. Take advantage of online resources through Canvas, Zoom and/or phone appointments.  

We are here to help and can provide guidance specific to your goals. With the uncertain economic state, it is important that you use this time to maximize your career readiness and make yourself as marketable as possible.

Wendy Herrmann | Beaver Dam
920-887-4437
wherrmann1@morainepark.edu


Dr. Rhonda Roehrig | Fond du Lac
920-924-3244
rroehrig2@morainepark.edu


Lisa Ferguson | West Bend
262-335-5773
lferguson@morainepark.edu

morainepark.edu

May 1, 2020by Lisa Ferguson
Faculty and Staff, Student Life

CNC Students Gain Soft Skills

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

CNC/Tool and Die Technology students recently completed 6 weeks of Soft Skills sessions with Lisa Ferguson, Careers Instructor on the West Bend Campus, as part of their CNC Controls classes with CNC Instructors, Jim Hokensen and Craig Seidl.  The sessions enforced the importance of Soft Skills in the workplace and were centered on Wisconsin’s Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS). What started four years ago, as part of the Career Pathways grant, is still in place today as part of this collaboration.

Soft Skill sessions included: Soft Skills and why are they are important, DISC Assessment, Positive Attitude, FISH, Communication Skills (including non-verbal communication skills) and Team Building/Problem Solving. Students participated in interactive activities for each session.

Representatives from business and industry have identified skills that are essential to success in manufacturing. Students are expected to demonstrate the Critical Core Manufacturing Skills (CCMS) throughout all manufacturing classes. These skills include work cooperatively, work productively, listen effectively, demonstrate a positive attitude, maintain a safe work environment, demonstrate integrity, communicate clearly, follow directions, apply problem solving strategies, apply mathematical reasoning, think critically and adapt to change.

Moraine Park Careers Instructors assist with Soft Skills in addition to Career Assessment (DISC, MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, and EDITS), Job Seeking/Employability Skills  (Job Search, Résumés, Cover Letters, and Interviewing) and more.

Career Center class schedules are available at: www.morainepark.edu/careers

Moraine Park Careers Instructors

Rhonda Roehrig (Fond du Lac Campus) – 920-924-3244 | rroehrig2@morainepark.edu

Kim Braatz (Beaver Dam Campus) – 920-887-4437 | kbraatz1@morainepark.edu

Lisa Ferguson (West Bend Campus) – 262-335-5773 | lferguson@morainepark.edu

(Pictured are CNC Students building marshmallow towers as part of a team building challenge.)

For more information on Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu.

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

CNC Students building marshmallow towers

October 23, 2018by Lisa Ferguson
Health Careers & Wellness, Student Services & Support

Employment Advice Straight from Area Employers

attendees listen to local employers speak

Moraine Park’s Medical Office and Medical Assistant Programs held an employment event for upcoming graduates and alumni on the Beaver Dam campus on May 3, 2017. Area employers from Froedtert, Aurora, Agnesian, Beaver Dam Community Hospital, UW and SSM Dean all provided advice on a panel to prospective Medical Assistant and Medical Office Specialist candidates.

Here are some Awesome Tips offered from the panel presenters: Continue reading

May 5, 2017by Lisa Ferguson
Student Services & Support

Are You Interview Ready?

two moraine park female students take selfie in graduation cap and gown

Graduates … are you ready to rock your next interview?  The more you prepare for your job interview, the more confident you will appear to the prospective employer. The following steps will help you prepare for the interview. When it comes to interviews, the most common advice is to be honest and be yourself. Continue reading

May 1, 2017by Lisa Ferguson

Follow us on social media

Categories

Achievement Administration Adult Education Alumni Auto & Transportation Business Career Center Clubs & Organizations College Communications Community Engagement Construction and Renovations Cosmetology Criminal Justice Culinary & Foods District Board Diversity Early Childhood Education ELL EWD Faculty and Staff Fair Trade Financial Aid Foundation General Education Graphics and Design Health Careers & Wellness Hired Before Graduation Human Services International Education IT & Web Manufacturing Marketing Natural Resources NEWERA New Student Welcome NTO Phi Theta Kappa Service Learning Student Life Student Services & Support Throwbacks Trades Uncategorized Veterans Video

RSS From our Newsroom

Recent Comments

  • Nancy Esposito on Culinary Students Hold “Chopped” competition
  • Mary Vogl-Rauscher on Passing on the Warmth
  • Kim Schwamn on Moraine Park Students Donate to Operation Christmas Child
  • Beau Gellings on EWD Welding Instructor – Dan Zoschke
  • Mike Gradinjan on Keeping the Lights On- Brad Hetzel
  • Becky Melo on Culinary’s Egg Bread Recipe!
  • Mary Koffman on Culinary’s Egg Bread Recipe!

Latest Tweets

  • All MPTC campuses will be closed on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Campuses will reopen on Tuesd… https://t.co/TLKflxfCX73 days ago
  • It's not too late! Register your camper by July 15 to secure a spot at #TechKnowledgeCollege 2022, Moraine Park's s… https://t.co/drEISkLJfY5 days ago
  • RT @WICorrections: A huge thank you to @MoraineParkTech for partnering w/ #WICorrections to host this event, as well as all of the agencies…6 days ago

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

"Growing minds, businesses and communities through innovative learning experiences."

© 2021 copyright Moraine Park Technical College // All rights reserved //
imagine what's next
Posting....