The St. Louis Beacon posted a new segment in their Job Talk series earlier this week. This report describes GO! Network and its work to help unemployed professionals in St. Louis.
The economic downturn has led to unemployment among groups who have never before had to worry about paying their bills on time. Among them are established professionals in their 40s and 50s who were left without a job and little direction. As we’ve discussed before on our blog, people who are unaccustomed to financial problems are often reluctant to seek help, making them more likely to mismanage their limited assets. The GO! Network emerged from the recession with the specific purpose of assisting these individuals.
GO! Network hosts talks from business professionals who discuss a variety of topics from networking to entrepreneurship. The organization also hosts job fairs, workshops, and other events. The GO! Network has created a strong community of like-minded individuals. The group has a professional culture tha’ts upheld by each member. They dress in business attire and stay focused on the pressing issues they’re facing. As one member puts it, “You feel like this is a professional job search.” Participants are able to maintain their business mindsets that might otherwise slip away during unemployment.
The group has met great success: “Nearly 200 people attended the first session on Feb. 3, 2009. Since then, more than 2,000 people have joined the network and nearly 25 percent of them have found full-time employment.”
For more information on the GO! Network, including upcoming events and programs, visit their website. You can read all reports from the Beacon’s Job Talk series here.
From the Beacon’s Job Talk: GO! Network
Fri, Feb 5, 2010
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