Lincoln's Challenge Academy Cadets Learn Job Search Skills

Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

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U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy cadets review resume building paperwork during a job skills workshop.

RANTOUL (10/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Approximately 150 cadets from Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy (LCA) are participating in a four-week workshop that focuses on career planning and job search skills conducted by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

"I am here to give them a reality check," said Thomas Schelpphorst of Danville, IDES service representative and workshop instructor. "I show them how much it is going to cost just for the essentials. They are young and idealistic and I want them to understand."

The opening class showed cadets how much money is allocated to monthly bills on a minimum wage salary.

"I didn't realize how much money it actually costs for bills," said Matt Vanlauwe, an 18-year-old cadet from Greenfield who will be graduating in December. "It was definitely an eye opener."

The workshop provides occupation and career seeking and planning information, in addition to resume writing, interviewing and employment information.

In following weeks, computer classes will be held to allow cadets time to research Illinois JobLink, an online tool to build and post a resume and search for available jobs in the local area and statewide.

IDES instructed a similar six-week workshop with LCA in March. However, after feedback they reduced the length of time and re-structured the classes to benefit the cadets, said Schelpphorst.

Upon completing LCA and returning to their communities, graduates on average go on to pursue the following: 49 percent-jobs, 34 percent-college, 12 percent-military and 5 percent-other.

Marcus Ayers of South Holland said he planned to attend college after graduating and this workshop made him realize he would need to get a part-time job to make ends meet.

"The cadets will be graduating soon and returning to their communities," said Schelpphorst. "Hopefully they will take this information and put it to good use."