Workforce Center - Middle School

wanting your first job? exploring career options?

The Mesa County Workforce Center (MCWFC) has a variety of no-cost services to help you find success.

243452534_161692376134495_3738109533420220936_n

Job Seeker services overview

I want a job..

WHERE DO I START?

GETTING STARTED JOB SEARCH RESUME/INTERVIEW ASK FOR HELP

GETTING STARTED

EXPLORE CAREERS

Find out what you would enjoy and be good at through assessments, virtual job shadows and research. Visit the Career Exploration section below for more information.

BUILD YOUR ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Employers and coworkers appreciate positivity in the workplace. Practice having a positive attitude when working in groups or doing difficult tasks.

Professionalism: Practice this skill by showing up on time, focusing on the task at hand, dressing appropriately, using appropriate language, and getting along with your peers.

Avoid these unprofessional behaviors: Cussing and using slang, being on your phone while working, clothing that contains offensive, degrading, illegal or vulgar language and pictures, clothing that does not appropriately cover your body or shows undergarments, inappropriate, non-work related conversations with co-workers (others can hear you).

Employers typically will give you a handbook or some document to refer to let you know their specific rules and expectations

BUILD YOUR RESUME AND REPUTATION

The choices you make now can have an impact on your future. Bad decisions can cause you to have a criminal record making it so employers will think it is a risk to hire you.

Things you post on social media can be searched and found by employers. Does what you're posting make you look like someone they want to hire?

Resume Builders: Be an active and engaged student! Get the best grades you can and be involved in groups and activities. This can be added as an “Accomplishments” section of your resume to impress employers. Volunteer to gain experience.

JOB SEARCH

HAVE A TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Evaluate how you will get to work on an ongoing basis (car, a ride, bus, walk, bike). Be aware of any limits during your job search; if you plan to walk, you will want to look at businesses close to home.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS & LIMITATIONS
The legal age to work in Colorado is 14, but there are limitations do the work you can do as a minor. Please reference this guide or visit the CDLE Youth Law website for more information.

REGISTER WITH CONNECTING COLORADO
Connecting Colorado is the state job search site used by all Colorado Workforce Centers. Once registered as a user on this site, you will be able to search the thousands of jobs listed on this statewide database. Visit the Job Search page for more information.

STAY ORGANIZED
Keep a log of everywhere you applied (with dates) and who you talked to at that business. Make an action plan and set reasonable goals. For example: I will apply to 3 fast food companies this week. I will follow up with 5 employers where I have submitted applications.
Make every contact count: dress to impress even when dropping off applications!

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Most employers in Mesa County do not hire anyone younger than 15. If you are 15 or younger and having a difficult time getting hired, don’t get discouraged! This is very normal at this age; instead focus on what you can do to build your skills and experience through non-paid work.
For your first job, expect to make minimum wage.

GET STARTED!
Visit the Job Search page for an in-depth look at the job searching process.

Need Help? Meet with an Employment Specialist. Call 970-248-7560 or email [email protected]

RESUME/INTERVIEW

RESUME BUILDER

The MCWFC Resume Builder helps you quickly create a resume. Just fill out each section and then download your finished product! Click the link to get started: Step-by-step Resume Guide

Click here to go to our Resume Builder:
https://mesacounty.emsicareercoach.com/#action=loadResumeBuilder

Need additional help or want an expert to review your resume? Contact Employment Services at 970-248-7560 or [email protected]

Click here to view examples on the "JOBS" page.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Practice makes perfect! The Mesa County Workforce Center offers mock interviews, virtually and in-person, at no cost to you. These can be directed at a specific job you are applying for or created based on general interview questions. An Employment Specialist will create a list of questions and interview you, just as a "real" interview would be conducted. After the interview, staff will discuss your responses and offer feedback on your interviewing skills.

Schedule a Mock Interview today: 970-248-7560 or [email protected].

ASK FOR HELP

volunteer

Why Volunteer? Volunteer Opportunities

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is a GREAT way for students to prepare for the workforce. Employers are more likely to hire teens with work experience. Volunteering allows you to gain experience and references, who can tell future employers how you act in the workplace. Volunteering is more effective on a resume when it is frequent (more than just one time for a few hours).

How do I look for opportunities?

Search online “volunteer opportunities in Mesa County for teens”. Choose companies that are within your area of interest and give them a call!

Click the "Volunteer Opportunities" tab for a list of options.

Volunteer Opportunities

American Red Cross
American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help with disaster relief efforts and numerous other programs. To find out more about volunteer opportunities visit https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities.html#

Bureau of Land Management
Help with trail cleanup and maintenance. If you are interested in working outdoors and learning more about our public lands, please contact Emily McCall at 970-244-3064 or [email protected]. Go to https://www.volunteer.gov/ for more info.

Catholic Outreach of Mesa County
Catholic Outreach is looking for volunteers to help with three main programs:
At Grand Valley Catholic Outreach: Receptionists, interviewers, clothes sorters, data entry, story readers, food sorters, administrative assistant, cleaning and maintenance. Call the Volunteer Coordinator at (970) 241-3658.
At the Soup Kitchen: Cooks, food prepares, dish washers, food sorters, servers, food pickups, recycling, cleaning and maintenance. Call the Soup Kitchen Director at (970) 243-0091.
At the Day Center: Receptionist, laundry, shower and storage supervisors, mail and message deliverer, cleaning and maintenance. Call the Day Center Director at (970) 263-9445.
Go to http://www.catholicoutreach.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer-opportunities/, for more information.

City of Grand Junction
The City of Grand Junction is looking for volunteers to fill a variety of roles including: Volunteer Trail Host, Public Safety Volunteer, Youth Coach Volunteer, and Tourism Ambassador.For more information go to, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gjcity/transferjobs?keywords=volunteer.

Community Hospital
Volunteers at Community Hospital assist employees and physicians in enhancing the health and quality of life for all hospital guests, in a variety of capacities. To learn more about the various volunteer opportunities at Community, go to https://yourcommunityhospital.com/Volunteers.cfm or contact Christina O'Dell at 970-644-3541.

Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies is looking for volunteers to help pull and build orders in the warehouse; inspect, clean, sort, and repack perishable and non-perishable grocery items for distribution; assist partner agencies with loading; or making snacks from fresh produce in the Dehydrator Room. For more information contact [email protected], or 970-464-1138.
Complete volunteer profile and learn more by going to: https://www.foodbankrockies.org/western-slope-volunteer/

Girl Scouts of Colorado
Volunteers with Girl Scouts of Colorado will: Be a role model, Discover your own leadership style as your girls discover theirs, Expand your network as you partner with your girls, their families, and your community, and Build new skills as you take on exciting activities with your girls.
To learn more go to, https://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer.html.

Grand Junction Police Department
GJPD is looking for volunteers to help with two different programs.
Public Safety Volunteers help by performing clerical work, computer entry, statistical analysis, providing tours, extra patrol, investigation assistance, community presentations, neighborhood speed controls, graffiti, and vacation checks. For more information, contact Paula Labbitt at 970-549-5130.
Victim's Advocates are available to provide support, information, and resources for victims during ongoing investigation. Serve 4, 12 hour on-call shifts a month. For more information, please contact Megan Weaver at 970-549-5290.
For more information, visit GJPD's website at http://www.gjcity.org/residents/public-safety/police-department/police-service-volunteers/.

Habitat for Humanity
For ReStore: Call 970.263.0858, ext. 102. Assist customers; process merchandise and donations; assist with receiving inventory; stock shelves; test electronics; set displays; assist in the office, bookstore or with our delivery truck team.
For Group Builds: Call 970.255.9850, ext. 202. Participate in building Habitat homes! No matter your experience, learn and build with our construction team either on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For Individuals, that would like to participate in a build, please call 970.263.0858, ext. 102
For Events: Call 970.255.9850, ext 205. Assist with events through out the year, from promotions to day of the event.
For Committees: Please call 970.255.9850, ext 202 to learn how your time, ideas and talent can help us with your mission.

Hilltop Community Resources
Hilltop's mission is leading through action to make a difference for people of all ages, and they have unique opportunities for volunteers to work with children, youth, families, adults, and seniors. Go to https://www.htop.org/volunteer/ to learn more or contact Sheryl at 970-244-0659

Hopewest
HopeWest has a variety of volunteer opportunities to match any interests. Ranging from Heirlooms for Hospice upscale resale shop, special events, music volunteers and more. To see their full list of volunteer and for more information go to https://www.hopewestco.org/volunteer/

Mesa County Libraries
Mesa County Libraries depend on volunteers throughout the Central Library and the other seven library branches.
Volunteer Opportunities are based on volunteers’ skills and on department or branch needs, which most frequently include shelving, adult literacy tutors, special events, and help in the Discovery Garden. Contact the volunteer coordinator at [email protected] for specific information.

Mesa County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Todd Rowell and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office are actively recruiting for people interested in volunteering to help their community and the Sheriff's Office.

VOLUNTEER WITH ONE OF THESE SPECIALIZED VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS:
Victim Advocate Program (VAP)
Citizens On Patrol (COP)
Search And Rescue
Sheriff's Posse
Internships
Ride Along Program
Youth Explorer Program
Mesa County Jail Ministry

THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS ALSO LOOKING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS. WORK INCLUDES:
Filing of fingerprint cards, Checking documents for accuracy, Scanning documents into system database, Assisting with special projects such as updating databases, gathering data, updating website information, and re-organizing areas.

Go to https://sheriff.mesacounty.us/volunteer-programs/ for more info.

Roice-Hurst Humane Society
Roice-Hurst is always looking for volunteers to help with dog walking, dog and cat grooming, socialization, transporting, event help, fundraising, greeting visitors, answering phones, and other office help.
Check out https://rhhumanesociety.org/volunteerprogram/ to learn more.

Salvation Army
Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help with the operation of their organization. Go to https://volunteer.usawest.org/Home.aspx for more information.

St. Mary's Hospital
St. Mary's is always looking for volunteers to help in a variety of capacities including: call in help, clerical, customer service, fall prevention, greeter, hospitality house, lobby musician, support services, nursing units, and many others.
For more information please visit https://www.sclhealth.org/locations/st-marys-medical-center/ways-to-give/volunteer/

explore careers

PATHFUL EXPLORE - VIRTUAL JOB SHADOW

Pathful Explore provides interactive tools, assessments, and real-world exploration videos to explore career pathways.

The Mesa County Workforce partners with Virtual Job Shadow, now called Pathful Explore, a national career exploration service to showcase career opportunities.

PATHFUL EXPLORE INSTRUCTIONS