MSFC layoff aid

Despite the turmoil surrounding the cancellation of Constellation and development of the new Ares rockets, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is doing what it can to help displaced workers (RIFs) deal with both the emotional and the practical realities of being suddenly jobless.

With the nation's economy down, layoffs rampant, and jobless rates up, getting back to work is not as smooth sailing as many from the Ares Diaspora would hope. The Marshall Workforce Transition team is in place to help though. They will be continuing their Tuesday MSFC Transition workshops through September.

In addition to practical information on dealing with the realities of a layoff, the workshop includes updated job search information that will get you up to speed on how to incorporate the new technology websites, online job searches, and social media into your career transition. (That, by the way, is the new way to say you have been laid off and you are looking for a job. Career transition sounds so much nicer and much more professional than saying you are unemployed or even worse -- jobless.) Despite the fact you had nothing to do with it, the point is, there will be discussion on how to diplomatically handle the potential effect on potential employers of those words and those realities as you search for your next position.

A federal employment representative offers pointers on how to navigate the USA Jobs site and also provides practical information on how to apply for civil service jobs. The MSFC Employee Assistance Program (EAP), NASA civil service employee resource and counseling service, is also available to local Ares contractors affected by the layoffs.

For workshop details:

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  Individual sessions and resume advising is available, by appointment on Thursdays.
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  It is a good idea to call ahead and reserve your place for the Tuesday workshops.
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  Marshall Workforce Transition website

For other useful information:

• 
  August 23 Expo Experts Job Fair will be at the Civic Center
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  Alabama State Employment Office -- Job site.
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  Alabama Department of Industrial Relations -- Go here to file unemployment insurance claims.
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  Huntsville Chamber of Commerce site has area job listings. They also have some upcoming career transition workshops as well.
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  Huntsville Space Professionals was formed by a group of individuals affected by the Ares layoffs. Their first mission is to help area aerospace professionals get back to work and also to help preserve Huntsville's reputation as a world class city in the aerospace arena.
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  Houston has a comprehensive site up for transitioning employees. They started with the Shuttle aerospace transition folks, but they have significant workforce transition resources for Health and Energy workers as well.
• 
  The Magic Stream Jobs page has online job search, self-help and support resources.

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Copyright 2010 Regina Garson. All rights reserved.