Sorry We Missed You at Occidental College
Occidental College, a prominent liberal arts college in Los Angeles, held its first alumni career transition conference focusing on helping their experienced Baby Boomer alumni find better ways to achieve work-life balance and develop strategies and specific actions to achieve a more fulfilling life. --- A tall order, but the facts below indicate that SeasonedPRO has helped many take the first step.
SeasonedPRO clients also are considering ways to better serve there experienced alumni population--particularly the managerial, professional and technical workforce.
We've summarized the results of the conference, and trust this information will help you plan similar events with your local colleges and universities.
Feel free to contact us to receive additional information and assistance with future Baby Boomer career and recruitment conferences.
Attendee Feedback
Ninety percent of the attendees surveyed indicated that the conference “met” or “exceeded” their expectations.
Here's a comment from an attendee that enjoyed the success panel made up of Baby Boomers that have moved from corporate life to self-employment.
The Baby Boomer Career Conference at Occidental College was excellent. Plenty of useful information, presented by experienced professionals who have succeeded in transitions of their own.
Larry Owens, VP, Paramount Pictures
The conference is not only an educational opportunity, but a networking one as well. Here is a comment from an attendee that made a connection with a resource that brought him new clients:
I actually am indebted to the Baby Boomer Conference. I attended the event this year, and that's where I met up with Ron. Ron introduced me to you, and as they say... the rest is history! Count me in.
Michael Thompson, Agoura Hills, CA
Employer Feedback
Here is a quote from Wells Fargo, an employer that sponsored an exhibit area to recruit attendees….
I think it's a super, excellent concept. I think the Baby Boomers need to be addressed. Certainly a lot of employers like Wells Fargo are interested in targeting this particular group. So, we're going to be at UCLA and we'll be back again if they offer more Baby Boomer conferences.
Christine Folz, Asst. Vice President, Wells Fargo
Below is a summary of the demographics of those responding to a survey and attending the conference.
Baby Boomer Career Conference
Occidental College Attendee Demographics |
| Gender |
|
|
Current or Last Job or Business Specialty |
|
| |
Male |
48% |
|
| |
Female |
52% |
Accounting/Finance |
7% |
| |
|
|
Management or Executive or Consulting |
18% |
| Employment Status |
|
Construction/Design |
3% |
| |
FT Employed |
58% |
Education |
5% |
| |
PT Employed |
7% |
Entrepreneur |
5% |
| |
Consulting |
16% |
Healthcare |
6% |
| |
Unemployed |
19% |
Hospitality |
1% |
| |
|
|
HR/Training |
4% |
| Education |
|
Information Technology |
4% |
| |
Some College |
5% |
Legal |
4% |
| |
Bachelor's |
40% |
Manufacturing, Engineering, Science |
4% |
| |
Master's |
40% |
Marketing/Sales |
11% |
| |
PhD |
15% |
Other |
7% |
| |
|
|
Professional Services |
5% |
| Work Experience |
|
Sales |
6% |
| |
5 yrs or less |
5% |
Social Service Government Non Profit |
5% |
| |
6-11 yrs |
5% |
Telecommunications |
5% |
| |
12-20 yrs |
18% |
|
|
| |
21-30 yrs |
57% |
|
|
| |
31-39 yrs |
12% |
|
|
|
| |
40+ yrs |
3% |
|
|
|
College and Universities
Occidental College found the SeasonedPRO produced conference helpful in providing a career conference service that otherwise would not be able to provide.
According to Susan Schroeder, Occidental College Business Associates Board Member…
The SeasonedPRO Baby Boomer Career conference held on September 17, 2005 was a tremendous success, resulting in increased visibility with our alumni. Their services afforded us an opportunity to provide a high quality and unique conference that we could not have provided within our own financial resources. SeasonedPRO's conference marketing plan, ability to access nationally known speakers, and unique program design, resulted in a great turnout of alumni and Baby Boomers from the community.
Program Content
Presenters and breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics addressing professional, well-educated experienced worker issues including:
- Richard Bolles (Author of What Color Is Your Parachute), “How To Make Decisions About Your Life”
- Opening Remarks, Richard Katz (UCLA '68), “Get Ready For Help, Inspiration and Fun”
- “Mid-Life Career Change Success Stories: Panelists Tell Their Stories”
- Speaker, Jeffrey Levine, “The Birth of Your New Identity – The Inner Journey of Career Transition”
- Speakers, Paul and Sarah Edwards, “Be Your Own Boss: Is Self-Employment an Option for You?”
- Speaker, Vivian VanLier, “Understanding Your Motivated and Burnout Skills”
- Speaker, Michael Lockwood, “Income for Life: Maintaining Your Financial Independence, Economic Freedom and Dignity Throughout Your Lifetime”
- Speaker, Brad Taft, “How to Become a Strategic Careerist – Utilizing A Strategic Business Planning Model to Achieve Career Success”
- Speaker, Ronald Kaufman, “How to Communicate Effectively to Succeed in Your Career and in Your Life”
- Speaker John Ullmen, “Relationship Building for Career Success”
- Speaker Larry Keough, “Age Discrimination: Guerilla Tactics for Staying Employed Past 50”
For information about our next recruitment and career conference event, please go to this link. |
