September 2024

Editor's Message
by Ruth Sternberg, NCOPE – NRWA Newsletter Editor

Hi, everyone! I hope you have had a great summer. I like the opportunity to get some sun and enjoy the beaches of Lake Ontario. But I also look forward to the fall colors. They are plentiful in New York state!

Have you registered for the NRWA’s annual conference? There are again lots of details in this issue. If you can’t get to Rhode Island for the big event, read to find out how you can still attend virtually. Then find out more:

• How to prepare ahead to get top value from the conference

• How you can promote your business by becoming a conference sponsor

• How to sign up for the foodie tour during the conference (we still have seats available!)

• Where you can get a conference T-shirt (and other NRWA swag)

In this issue, we also offer you an opportunity to show off a little by responding to the monthly “Ask the Experts” questions. Before you do that, though, take time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by reading about the family of past NRWA president, Robert Rosales. It’s always wonderful to share the joy of our varied backgrounds. 

Have a great September! I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Rhode Island!

Congratulations to Our Newly Elected Board Members!

The votes are counted. Here is your new NRWA board. Stay tuned for profiles of these dynamic NRWA leaders:

Nancy Grant, President-Elect

Donna Tucker, Secretary

Rob Rosales, Treasurer

Rosalinde Rosado, Director of Member Support, Military & Workforce Centers

Donna Shannon, Director of Member Support, Experienced Business Owners

Arno Markus, Director of Member Support, Experienced Business Owners

Tessa Barlow, Director of Member Support, New Business Owners

Shoni Bell, Director of Member Support, New Business Owners

Sheila Wener, Director of Member Support, College Career Centers

You Can Attend the Conference Digitally

Virtual Attendees Earn 5 CEUs

If you have decided you can’t attend the 2024 Reignite Conference October 8–10 in Rhode Island, there is another option for you.

This year, the NRWA is again offering a virtual version. 

This option consists of the live opening session and eight live conference sessions. Attendees earn five CEUs.

You also get a chance to send in your questions and attend a live Ask the Experts session on Oct. 8!

It’s a great value if you want to stay connected and keep learning but can’t get away this year to attend in person. You will see many other NRWA members and have the opportunity to interact with live questions. 

The registration fee is $399 ($499 for non-NRWA members).  

Conference registration closes Sept. 12.

Step Up to Be Recognized as an NRWA Conference Sponsor

One of the most important ways you can support the NRWA in its educational work is to become a sponsor of our annual conference. 

We have opportunities available at a variety of levels, ranging from $100 to $2,500.

When you become a sponsor, you will connect with our diverse in-person and virtual attendees and gain visibility among members and website visitors with premium exposure, giving your brand the spotlight it deserves.

Why this conference is an unmissable sponsorship opportunity:

Record Turnout: Our hybrid approach has led to an unprecedented surge in attendance, guaranteeing you unparalleled exposure and engagement with an enthusiastic audience.

Targeted Reach: As a conference sponsor, you will not only connect with our diverse attendees but also gain visibility among our vast membership and website visitors. This includes resume writers, LinkedIn experts, career coaches, and professionals from private practices, career centers, higher education, military, governmental agencies, and more.

Power Packed: Benefit from our captivating keynote presentations, featured speakers, and in-depth workshops, designed to inspire and educate.

Amplified Engagement: Our cutting-edge event app will unite in-person and virtual attendees, creating unparalleled opportunities for networking and engagement.

Don't take our word for it; hear from our delighted sponsors: 

"Sponsoring the NRWA Annual Conference was a game-changer for our company! The exposure and connections we made were invaluable. We'll be back for more!"  

"The hybrid format will allow us to reach a broader audience and showcase our products to professionals from diverse backgrounds. Highly recommended sponsorship opportunity!"  

You can learn more about all the opportunities here. Benefits depend upon the sponsorship level and may include acknowledgment during the event, additional conference registration, a sponsor exhibit table, and an email blast to the NRWA’s full mailing list.

Act now to secure your sponsorship and elevate your brand to new heights! Opportunities are filling up fast! You can contact our partnership chair, Tanya Floyd, via sponsorrelations@theNRWA.com or 480-232-4804.

Attending the Conference? Here are Tips to Supercharge Your Experience

By Ruth Sternberg, NCOPE, Watercooler Editor

We are about a month away from the 24^th annual NRWA conference. If you plan to attend, it’s a great time to start thinking about a few things that can help you get the most out of the information-packed sessions.

I recently asked NRWA members to share how they prepare for the conference. Here’s what they said:

• Look up the speakers and connect with them on LinkedIn beforehand. 

• Reach out to other attendees and start scheduling meetings between sessions, in the evening, or for breakfast. This will help you get the most out of your networking time. 

• Attend the mixers and bring either traditional business cards or a main card with a scannable QR code for your contact information or LinkedIn URL.

• Conference follow-up is key. Secure and build new connections via LinkedIn, including the list of attendees that you didn't meet. Organize your notes from the sessions you attended. Plan to implement new things into your work/business.

• If recordings are available, review the sessions you didn't attend.

When I attended last year, I did these main things:

• Made sure to introduce myself to other NRWA members, especially if they were new to the organization.

• Scoped out the sessions and marked the ones I wanted to attend.

• Spent time having meals, coffees, or just chatting with other attendees.

To get the most out of the sessions I did this:

• Wrote down some questions I might ask during the presentations.

• Reviewed my notes each evening and marked some of the important points.

• Noted some of the tasks now on my plate for when I returned home.

Here are some other general strategies that might help you as you get ready for Conference 24:

Personalize Interactions: NRWA conferences have lots of built-in time to socialize. Be proactive in initiating conversations and asking questions.

Participate Fully: Our conferences feature comfortably sized sessions, and this means your voice can be heard more easily. Actively participate in discussions, Q&A sessions, and any group activities.

Ask Thoughtful Questions: With more opportunities for interaction, prepare insightful questions that can lead to deeper conversations and learning.

Tailor Your Experience: If there’s an opportunity to suggest topics or focus areas, take advantage of that.

Engage with Presenters: Without the large crowds, you may find it easier to approach presenters for one-on-one discussions or follow-up questions after sessions.

Initiate Collaboration: The close-knit environment is ideal for finding potential collaborators or forming small groups to work on shared interests after you return home.

Share Your Expertise: In smaller settings, you may have more opportunities to share your own knowledge. That’s what we’re there for!

Be a Connector: In a small setting, you can play a role in bringing people together. Introduce people who might benefit from knowing each other and be a positive influence on the conference atmosphere.

Volunteer or Assist: Sometimes, small conferences can benefit from extra hands. Offering to help can increase your visibility and deepen your engagement with the event.

Share Resources: After the conference, share any relevant articles, tools, or information that might benefit your new contacts. This helps maintain the relationship and shows your value.

Apply What You Learned: Smaller conferences such as the NRWA's often have a more focused scope. Implement any new insights or strategies promptly while they’re fresh in your mind.

Extend the Conference Fun with Taste of Rhode Island

The annual NRWA conference focuses largely on learning how we can better serve our clients. But we are also big on having fun together, away from the sessions.

One of the options is a chance to sample popular Rhode Island cuisine. We still have slots left for this tasty tour.

This bus tour includes the back story of Rhode Island’s unique architecture and rich culture. Along the way, you will stop to enjoy a seven-course selection of Rhode Island’s most iconic, authentic, and delicious culinary delights.

Enjoy a refreshing frozen lemonade at Del’s, crispy clam cakes at Dune Brothers Clam Shack, a slice of the legendary chocolate peanut butter cake at Gregg’s Restaurant, and more! At the end of the tour, you’ll receive a certificate proclaiming you an honorary citizen of the Ocean State.

Invite a friend, family member, spouse, or other guest to join you. Get details for each excursion here. Be sure to sign up so you don’t get left behind!

Weather details:

During early October, Providence is typically mild and pleasant. You can expect average daytime temperatures to range from the mid-50s to the low 60s Fahrenheit. Nights can be cooler, often dropping into the 40s Fahrenheit.

October is generally a transitional month, so while you might experience crisp, clear days, there's also the possibility of occasional rain or overcast skies. It's a good idea to bring layers, as the weather can be somewhat variable.

Wear Your Conference Pride

We recently asked you for your T-shirt design ideas to promote the upcoming NRWA Annual Conference. It’s always great to wear a piece of clothing that brags to the world about your membership in the NRWA! 

We've got a winner! Congratulations to Bridget Weide Brooks, whose vision will now represent our event on this stylish T-shirt, available to all members.

This year's theme, "Reignite," is perfectly captured in the winning design, which features a vibrant lighthouse graphic symbolizing guidance and renewal.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. We can't wait to see you proudly wearing this design at the conference as we reignite our passion and drive for excellence together!

Get yours here!

Take the Ask-the-Experts Challenge!

You might have seen that the NRWA provides its members a unique opportunity to showcase their expertise each month. It’s called “Ask the Experts,” and leads to a yearly compilation of wisdom available for anyone to download.

Questions cover every angle of job searching, from resume construction to interviewing, and you will likely find a few that you cannot resist weighing in on. 

The NRWA is challenging you to take a break today and answer one question that interests you.

You don’t have to spend a huge amount of time doing it — just long enough to share your wisdom. 

Here’s why it’s worth that few minutes:

• You're enhancing your professional profile, sharpening your advisory skills, and establishing yourself as a leader in the career development community.

• The questions you answer help you become a better advisor, boost your reputation, and showcase you as an expert in our field. 

• This exposure can lead to new clients and collaborations, helping you shape your professional journey as you help others shape theirs.

Here is a sample question and answer:

How do I identify key experience from my military service to apply for a civilian role? 

First, you need to understand the type of role or function into which you are leaning. Once you know that, you can review example job descriptions to better understand the skills and experiences they are looking for in selecting candidates. From there, reflect on what you do and what you have delivered in the military that matches what the jobs are looking for, then home in on those experiences. 

Photo courtesy of Robert Rosales

Robert (right) with his father, Estevan and mother, Margaret.

National Hispanic Heritage Month:

A Reflection on Tradition, Pride, and Contribution

By Robert Estevan Rosales, NCOPE, NCRW

National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the rich cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States. As members of an industry dedicated to career development and excellence, we must recognize how cultural diversity strengthens our communities and professions.

When I think of my Hispanic heritage, I find myself reflecting on the traditions, pride, and work ethic that my grandparents brought with them from Mexico. Their journey and the legacy they left behind have shaped not only my life but also the lives of countless others who benefited from their contributions.

My grandmother, whom we affectionately called Mama, had a talent for making the simplest foods extraordinary. Her refried beans, made with love, care, and bacon grease, were a staple at every meal. And nothing could compare to the fresh flour tortillas she made daily. I still remember the joy of receiving one hot off the griddle, a dab of butter melting in the center, as a snack that nourished both body and soul. Mama's kitchen was a place of warmth, where love was served on every plate.

Equally memorable was my grandfather, Papa. Together with Mama, he raised 11 children, all first-generation Americans. Papa's work ethic was unparalleled; he spent his life as a farm laborer, traveling up and down the West Coast and Midwest following the crops to provide for his family. His pride in his work and America was evident in everything he did. Papa and Mama's dedication to hard work and their deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities America provided shaped the values of our family.

That sense of pride and commitment to service extended to the next generation. Seven of Papa's children, including my father, served in the United States military. Papa earned his U.S. citizenship during the Reagan administration, a milestone that filled our family with pride.

My father continued this legacy of hard work and dedication. After serving the U.S. government for more than 30 years, both in the Army and as a federal employee, he retired from NASA at the age of 52. But retirement didn't slow him down. He moved back to California's Central Valley, where he purchased 10 acres of raisin grapes. Over the next 24 years, he expanded his vineyard to more than 40 acres and became one of the select raisin growers for the globally recognized Sun-Maid brand. His story is a testament to the perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep in our family.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own heritage. Consider the ways in which the actions of your ancestors have paved the way for your success. Recognize the value that immigrants bring to our society and how their contributions continue to shape our nation's growth and prosperity.

While my story is personal, mine is only a footnote in the book of Hispanics and Latinos who came to America and made it their home. Let us take this time to honor the traditions, pride, and work ethic that define Hispanic culture and recognize the profound impact that Hispanic individuals have made—and continue to make—on our country.

Robert Rosales owns EZ Resume Services, based in the San Francisco Bay area. He helps college graduates, mid-career professionals, career changers, and career aspirants develop a strategy, plan, and career-marketing material to achieve their career goals.

Professional Development 

The NRWA offers live and on-demand webinars, a self-paced Resume Writing 101 course, teleseminars, and more opportunities for learning throughout the year.

Certification Programs 

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