FCS FLASH ISSUE 109: September 29, 2009
September-November: Multiple Locations and Dates: Essential CSEFEL Seminars
October 2: St. Helena: Pattern Design 2009 Conference
October 2: Stockton: Meet the Fashion Insiders, San Joaquin Delta College, 3-5 pm
October 3: Stockton: Special Screening: Valentino:The Last Emperor, followed by Q&A with filmmaker Matthew Tyrnauer
October 7: Garden Grove: Coastline Community College’s Gerontology Networking Symposium 6-8 pm
October 7-9: San Francisco: Strengthening Student Success Conference presented by the CCC Research and Planning Group
October 9-10: Los Angeles: CAEYC Training the Early Childhood Trainer Conference
October 10: Downey: So Cal Gas Co Seminar LEED for Foodservice
October 11-14: Tucson, AZ: Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals (SOCAP) International Conference “Doing More with Less”
October 28-31: Long Beach: CCCOAE Fall Conference
October 28-31: Bellevue, WA: International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference
November 6: Pasadena: FCS Consumer Studies Professional Development Workshop, 9 am–3:30 pm, Registration Now Open!
November 7: Fairfield: FCS Interior Design Professional Development Workshop, 9 am–3 pm,  Registration Now Open!
November 11-13: Phoenix, AZ: Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
December 2-3: Sacramento: California Joint Special Populations Advisory Committee (JSPAC) Conference
February 6-8, 2010: Albuquerque, NM: American Culinary Federation, ACF Western Regional Conference
March 11-14, 2010: Sacramento: CA-AAFCS State Conference
March 15-19, 2010: Chicago, IL: NCOA- ASA Annual Aging in America Conference
March 17-19: San Francisco: CCCAOE Spring Conference
April 8-9, 2010: Sacramento: CCGG Annual Meeting  Save the Date!   

FCS News and Views!
In his syndicated column, “Housing Scene,” Lew Sichelman showcases the free and just off the presses 30th edition of the Consumer Action Handbook with info on how to resolve problems with a product or service. As a follow-up to her first article on Service Learning and Gerontology, Maria Claver, writes about the benefits of incorporating student journals to supplement the program.  Erin Bianchi, a part-time instructor at Orange Coast College and a new contributor to the FCS Fashion page, highlights the recent world-wide event “Fashion’s Night Out.” In an effort to raise awareness and stimulate the shopping economy, all the big players joined forces. Also, an article from Booth Moore, Los Angeles Times provides a look at how the industry is adapting to the 21st Century. Finally, in Carol Lamkins’, latest contribution you’ll get a thorough look at how to effectively utilize fans. Think ventilation, an important aspect of both kitchen and bathroom design.
 
Build Recession Proof Skills
Whether the economy is flourishing or floundering, your students are more likely to find jobs or move up on the job, if they have good employability skills. Since today’s students will change jobs more frequently than past generations, it is critical that they develop a good set of portable skills to carry with them from job to job. In addition, they must also be prepared to site evidence that supports their unique skill sets. While there are a range of skills employers seek, O*NET and career author, Laurence Shatkin, identify some of the most essential skills. In today’s activity, students will have an opportunity to review 10 important workplace skills, add their own experiences, and rate their abilities as they seek to build skills to help them thrive in the job market of today and tomorrow.

 Try this:
√  Ask students what skills employers want all employees to possess and list their responses.
√  Distribute the Recession Proof Skills activity guide for students to complete.
√  Discuss students’ responses and share things they intend to do to develop their skills.
√  With the students’ help, list the information and experiences in your class that students can add to their skills list. 

FYI: Want some additional ideas to recession proof your job?

This newsletter was brought to you by the California Community College Chancellor's Office Family and Consumer Sciences Collaborative Grant (#09-0160). Please contact Joann Driggers (jdriggers@mtsac.edu) or 909/594-5611 x5203 with any questions.