A Jobmap / COLLIVE / CHYE Project
Recently, there’s been a shift in Crown Heights’ workforce.
When Covid-19 and its subsequent lockdown hit the US, a large number of Crown Heights residents found themselves at a loss. Whether they had suddenly lost their jobs, or were just entering a job market that was now more uncertain than ever, many began rethinking their careers and exploring other employment options. The worry was real; how would they find employment in such a tricky work climate?
Jobmap’s Rabbi Yehoshua Werde saw an opportunity to help.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to hear from professionals in different industries that are popular in frum communities to help them determine what would be the right path for them,” Werde explains. “We lined up experts from fourteen popular fields to talk about how they, regular community members, got into their industries and the strategies that they used to succeed.”
Think of it like grabbing a coffee with a potential mentor. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you could talk to someone in a prospective profession before investing your time, money, and energy into something that might not work?
That’s where Career Conversations comes in.
The sessions first launched as a live COLlive series in which experts shared insights, tips, strategies and more on industries such as graphic design, construction, SEO marketing, construction, court reporting and more.
It was an immediate success.
“The session on graphic design really gave me insight on what it’s like working in the industry,” shared one attendee. “I gained clarity and was able to figure out which steps to take going forward. It was a huge help.”
“I got amazing feedback after the online class,” says Sary Farkash, the guest lecturer on cosmetology. “It helped so many women figure out their career paths and how to navigate them.”
“We received so much feedback in just the first week,” Werde recalls. “We realized we had to make this a permanent Jobmap feature.”
The Career Conversations series is now available as an ever-expanding web library on the Jobmap website, which offers a full range of resources to young entrepreneurs and working folks seeking support or direction in the workplace. Jobmap has plans to keep adding new sessions to the page so that job seekers can gain guidance and clarity both during Covid-19 and beyond.
“Jobmap’s aim is to give people the tools they need to jumpstart their careers,” Werde explains. “We’re helping Crown Heights’ workforce achieve financial success.”
The full Career Conversations library is available here.
To reach out to Rabbi Werde, email [email protected]
Jobmap is currently seeking a volunteer resume writer to assist our job seekers with writing great resumes, if you or someone you know would be interested in giving a hand please reach out via email.
