Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez will be one of 13 instructors teaching Sophomore Seminars in Career Awareness this fall. The one-hour credit course is offered in small sections of less than 10 to enable instructors to interact closely with students. Chavez will teach a section titled “Careers in City & State Government.”
He will share his experiences in public life and talk about leadership. He will also take students to city hall to meet key employees and to learn what qualities and skills make a good candidate an official.
Other seminars available to students include:
“Entrepreneurship: Nuts, Bolts & Magic”
This seminar taught by Steven Becerra from the South Valley Business Development Center introduces students to the basics of starting a business.
“Career Opportunities in Law”
Taught by Robert Taichert, an attorney with the firm of Miller Stratvert in Albuquerque, this seminar will help students understand the requirement and opportunities offered by a legal education.
“The Art of Business Relationships”
Chelle Stringer, an organizational change manager with the City of Albuquerque will teach students professional skills and strategies to promote beneficial workplace relationships and facilitate change.
“Tomorrow’s Careers in Information Technology”
Taught by Georgia Montoya, owner of One Solution Group, an information technology consulting service and sales firm, this course will show students the variety of careers and incomes available in the information technology field.
“Federal Government Careers”
This section, taught by John Matis, the Southwest Regional Recruiter for the Bureau of Land Management in Santa Fe, will expose students to a wide variety of career fields and types of public service employment.
“Physician Lifestyles and Practices”
Taught by Reuben Last, a general surgeon at the Albuquerque Veteran’s Administration Medical Center and faculty member at the UNM School of Medicine, this section will examine and contract the career options, joys and burdens open to students who choose to go to medical school.
“Environmental Vocations”
Cynthia Gómez, a consultant for non-profit and governmental agencies, will lead students in an exploration of environmental vocations including government environment departments, non-profit environmental protection, conservation, environmental health organizations, community-based organizing networks in environmental justice and environmental careers in private industry.
“Film: From Credits to Title”
Janet Davidson, an actor and director in film and television, will help students understand the wide variety of careers available behind the scenes in film and television production.
“Women in Business”
Taught by Lauren Chavez, a medical doctor who is also president and CEO of two laser-based medical practices in Albuquerque. This section will offer multiple perspectives to students regarding women-owned businesses.
“Nursing”
Sylvia Burch, a registered nurse with Presbyterian Health Services, will lead students in an exploration of the numerous choices one has in the nursing profession with experienced nurses in various fields.
“Careers in Engineering”
Taught by Marlene Brown, a member of the technical staff at Sandia National Labs in the Advanced Sensors Technology group, working on satellite sensors and detectors. This section will help students explore the types of engineering careers available and includes an introductory hands-on exposure to technology such as solar electric systems.
“Careers on Campus: Working in Higher Ed”
Terry Babbitt, director of recruitment and outreach services at UNM, will show students the variety of careers available on college campuses for students who like the collegial and academic atmosphere.
“Discovering Your Career Choices”
Leslye Ellison, director of Career Services for UNM, will lead students through a career assessment process to look at their personality, interest, skills, abilities and values and show how that relates to career possibilities. There are three sections offered for this course.
All instructors have volunteered their time for the courses. University College Dean Peter White said, “Too many students discontinue their education because they lack sufficient information and guidance to enable them to choose a major and a career.”
White says there are 10,000 students enrolled in University College and the seminars can become life-changing events for students searching for a career they can embrace. Student registration is in progress now.
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627