New Workshop Series-Starting Your Own Business

Women At Work is offering a new, exciting workshop series, "Starting Your Own Business"! This series teaches participants how to develop their own businesses and how to successfully market their products/services to customers. Divided into three parts, participants can choose to take all three or pick a combination that best fits their business needs. It is ideal for people interested in becoming entrepreneurs to those individuals who already have a business and want to develop their marketing strategies.


Part I-"Are You Ready to Become an Entrepreneur?"

Thinking of starting your own business? Take this introduction to the basic start-up requirements for business. This workshop will cover topics such as licensing, formation, taxes, business plan development, trends and industry insights, market analysis and beta testing, and marketing plan development (the 4P's).

September 11, 9-11 am
September 12, 5:30-7:30 pm

Part II-"The Customer is STILL King!"

Seeking customers for your business? Take this workshop to learn all about marketing and getting customers engaged. It will cover topics such as 'who are YOUR customers?', conducting market analysis, 'what is customer engagement?', and how to target customer segments.

September 18, 9-11 am
September 19, 5:30-7:30 pm

Part III-"Marketing Success Strategies"

Need a boost for your business' brand? Take this workshop to learn how to perfect your business' marketing campaign. It will cover topics such as branding your business concept, using social media to leverage your brand, creating a BUZZ!, developing your campaign, and managing ROI.

September 25, 9-11 am
September 26, 5:30-7:30 pm

Cost: $60 for all three or $25 per individual class

Our "Interviews That Win Jobs" Workshop

As Women At Work's social media intern, I attended the "Interviews That Win Jobs" Workshop. One of our most popular workshops, we offer it every few months. Taught by Career Counselor Mayra Basteris, participants learn and practice successful interviewing techniques, including: 

            - what to research, study, and consider before meeting with an employer

            - tips for developing positive, clear, and concise answers

            - using specific examples from your background to prove your skills and strengths

                        to employers                                                  

Conducted in an easy-to-follow format with practical exercises, Mayra leads participants through the whole interview process, from the preparation and practice to the actual interview to the final follow-up. Unfortunately, many job seekers just wing it at the interview or do not properly prepare and practice! Mayra stresses the distinction between proper preparation and practice in this workshop. She advises participants to prepare for an interview by writing his/her interview content down and then to practice by themselves and in front of others. Mayra's best advice to me was that the interview is a psychological test of the interviewee's ability to handle stressful situations. That perspective changed my whole outlook on the interview process! She gave participants tips on how to use the short story technique, his/her "Personal Inventory", and marketing abilities to his/her best advantage in the interview. To learn more about these key interview strategies, sign up for the next "Interviews That Win Jobs"!  

Throughout the workshop, Mayra was extremely positive and approachable. She is willing and happy to answer all participants' questions. She honestly and whole-heartedly wants to help give all her clients the best edge possible in their individual job search. Take the next "Interviews That Win Jobs" on Thursday, October 17 (10:30 am-1:30 pm), to refine your interview skills and make a huge impact at your next interview!

Our Newest Workshop-Demystifying the Grant Proposal Process: From Start to Funded

Women At Work is excited to offer our new 8-hour workshop series, "Demystifying the Grant Proposal Process: From Start to Funded"! This series teaches participants how to take the grant proposal process from the initial request to a finished product that is "funding-ready." It's perfect for people new to the fund development and grant proposal writing profession or experienced professionals desiring a refresher on the basics.


In this workshop series, participants will:

- Learn to take the grant proposal process from the request to a finished product that is product ready
- Learn to match your agencies funding needs to a funder's priorities
- Learn to create a workable management plan for completing large and often overwhelming proposal processes
- Learn about key proposal components, the most effective way to complete them, and how to ensure your proposal matches the review process
- Practice and sharpen their writing skills through activities such as developing your agency's elevator speech

Cost: $225 for three workshop sessions AND 1-hour of post workshop follow-up one-on-one with the workshop trainer (valid through Aug. 31, 2013).

Workshop Dates:

Friday, June 21 (9 am-1 pm)
Thursday, June 27 (9 am-1 pm)

Places are filling up quickly! To reserve your seat, call 626.796.6870!

Trailblazing Women of the Wild West 2012

We invite you to our annual fundraiser - Trailblazing Women of the Wild West!

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, we will be honoring two amazing women: Heritage Honoree Jane Caughey and 2012 Trailblazer Honoree Ada Gates Patton. 


As a Pasadena realtor for 46 years, Jane Caughey is recognized for commitment to community, support for those needing help, and her generosity to so many. She has served on countless community and education Boards, volunteering her time and expertise.


In 1978, Ada Gates Patton became the first woman farrier licensed to shoe thoroughbred racehorses in the United States and Canada. Her dedication to the industry has led to many years of selfless service, including farrier liaison for the 1984 Olympic Games, official horseshoe inspector for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, member of the California Thoroughbred Foundation Board of Directors, and presenter of various seminars.

Join us at the Pasadena Center at 5:00 pm for a fun-filled evening! Guests will enjoy a silent auction, some "Wild West Delectables" of Greater Pasadena, and line dancing with Miss Claire & the Greater Pasadena Notables. Dress in your best classy western attire. We hope you attend!

RSVP today by contacting Robin McCarthy: rmccarthy@womenatwork.org.

Robin's Interview by ACTS

ACTS Thrift Store interviewed our own Robin McCarthy, Executive Director of Women At Work! 

Robin discussed Women At Work's mission and the services we provide. She even recounted one of our many success stories! 

Women At Work would like to thank ACTS Thrift Store for their support!

Consider some friendly advice...

It's a widely known fact we're all aware of: Job searching is stressful. Especially so when you constantly hear that "NO TIME. NEED JOB NOW." voice nagging at you day and night.

Job searching is stressful.  And unfortunately in today's job market, a job search encompasses much more than finding a list of jobs, sending out resumes, and waiting for the phone to ring so you can schedule your interviews.

Today, job positions are posted everywhere online, resumes are fed through computers, and employers are more picky than ever.  What does this mean? More people are seeing the same job postings you are, resumes are analyzed based on keywords rather than quality and experience, and with so many applicants, employers can afford to label you as under qualified, over qualified, or simply replaceable.

So, while job searching is absolutely daunting, there are ways to help you rise to the top of the (very competitive) barrel.

Career counseling.  You've heard the words before. Sure, a short session will take away from your job hunting time, cost a small fee, and won't land you a job on the spot; BUT one private session WILL inform you of the tips, tricks, and skills that will help make your job search more successful.

Women At Work offers a variety of private specialized counseling services to meet a variety of needs and provide helpful direction for career-planning.

If you're in the middle of a job search rut and need some help moving forward, an Individual Job Search Counseling session would benefit you. Your career counselor will help you explore new job search techniques and networking strategies, prepare for job interviews, and find job leads.

(30 min/$30; *60 min/$50)

If you're considering a career transition or want to re-evaluate your professional skills, consider an Individual Career Counseling session. Explore your values, interests, and skills with a counselor, and learn how to research and assess your potential and the requirements for various occupations.

(*60 min/$60)

One of the hardest aspects of applying for a job is the resume & cover letter process.  Signing up for an Individual Resume Counseling session will allow you one-on-one time with a counselor to guide you through the resume and cover letter writing process.

(30 min/$30; *60 min/$50)

If you're planning a career transition and are unsure of what occupations might best suit you, sign up for  Occupational Testing/Career Assessment.  Following testing is a private session with a counselor to interpret your results.

(Two 90 min. session = $160)

*Sliding scale is available with documentation & counselor approval

For more information about our counseling services, visit us a www.womenatwork.org .

Training At Work

We welcome a new division of Women At Work!

Training At Work was unveiled at a Ribbon Cutting on June 27th to introduce its services to the public.

               Wendy Welch-Keller, Robin McCarthy, and Vickie Campbell are joined by 

                                        Women At Work Board members to cut the ribbon

Training At Work will provide the various workplace training programs offered to our clients to companies of all sizes. While companies have the option of hiring large, for-profit training programs, utilizing the resources and services through Training At Work will yield quality training from our professional staff members, and all proceeds go towards benefiting our clients.  The services provided can either be presented at our own office or on-site at the client's facilities.

Our wide range of training programs, specializing in technology and professional skills, include:

       * Microsoft Office

       * Bookkeeping & Quickbooks

       * Business Communications

       * Customer Service

       * Leadership Training

       * New Supervisor Training

       * Project Management

       * and more!!!!

Our recent clients have included Kaiser Permanente, Center for Non-Profit Management, The Whole Child, APAIT Health Center, and many more.

Vice-President of the Women At Work Board, Wendy Welch-Keller receiving

an award of recognition for the Training At Work program

A special thanks to Bonnie B's Smokin' BBQ Heaven and Pasadena Star News for helping to make our Ribbon Cutting ceremony the success that it was!

For more information about the Ribbon Cutting, you can read articles from Pasadena Star News here:

Training At Work offers on-site instruction

Training At Work Academy unveiled

Contact Information for Training At Work:

Vickie Campbell, Program Manager

626.796.6870 ext. 2

vickiecampbell@womenatwork.org