Career Transitions Center upcoming events

ATS & Today's Hiring Process: What Recruiters Really Look For(Open to the Public) (10/15/2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Led by: CTC Executive Director Anita C. Jenke

Only 28% of resumes submitted to ATS ever reach human eyes—and recruiters spend just 8 seconds reviewing the ones that do. This hands-on workshop demystifies applicant tracking systems and shows you how to get your resume seen by a recruiter.

You'll learn to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to tailor your resume to specific job postings, with effective prompts and best practices for matching ATS criteria. Bring your current resume, a job posting you're interested in, and access to an AI tool (free ChatGPT accounts available here). You will leave with a workbook of tips and resources to keep refining your resume and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Access workbook here.

If you have any questions about accessing the workshop, please contact:

Jennifer Wonderly Program and Coaching Director (Cell:773- 599-2113 or jwonderly@ctcchicago.org) or

Anita Jenke, Executive Director (Cell: 708-785-1938 or ajenke@ctcchicago.org)

How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Workshop Series: Session 1-Networking Through Your Joys- PUBLIC WORKSHOP (10/26/2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Session 1: Networking Through Your Joys

Led by: Colleen McFarland, Author of Get GenZ into the Game

Overview:

Discover how the things you genuinely enjoy can help you build and maintain a stronger professional network—without making networking feel like work. You'll learn practical approaches, practice applying them, and leave with actions you can use immediately in your career and everyday life.

While each session stands on its own, participants who continue through the full series will build momentum, deepen connections, and get the most value from the experience.

All sessions are held Mondays, 5:00 -6:00pm CT

Session 2: Monday, Nov. 2 - Meet More People Through Your Joys

Session 3: Monday, Nov. 16 - Getting to Know More People Through Your Joys

Session 4: Monday, Dec. 7 - Connecting with People Through Your Joys

Session 5: Monday, Dec. 14 - Ask Your Network for Help

About the Presenter:

Colleen’s expertise is organizational change management. She works with leaders who appreciate the value of anticipating and preparing for the impact a business change will have on their customers and employees. She has seen the benefits of good change management on business outcomes and culture.

Colleen is a huge advocate of networking and makes networking part of her every day. Being open to others, getting to know them, working to understand their point of view and learning from them is what she does.

This workshop is part of the How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Series brought to you by Colleen McFarland. To learn more about Colleen visit, www.colleenmcfarland.us.

Hear It From the Pros: Tips from Recruiters, HR & Hiring Managers (PUBLIC) (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Moderator: Jennifer Wonderly

Panelists: Lucien Derosena, Kareem Rogers, and Rebecca Voulgarakis

Join us for a conversation about the latest in hiring practices including using technology to recruit, screen and hire candidates – moving beyond LinkedIn. We will also be talking about assessments before and after the hiring process. Tools like StrengthsFinder, Interview Stream and personality tests are increasingly valuable to companies bringing in new talent. Learn about how to prepare to interact with these new tools, and what hiring professionals wish you did before, during and after the interview, as well as in your first 90 days.

PANELISTS

Lucien Derosena, PMP, SMC, is an HR leader and Talent Acquisition consultant at 5L2F Consulting. He is is also a volunteer career coach for CTC and serves as an Officer on the CTC Board of Directors.

Kareem Rogers, MHRIR, SHRM-CP is a Human Resources Business Partner at UI Health. Kareem also is a volunteer coach with CTC.

Rebecca Voulgarakis, SHRM-CP, is a Career Advisor and Employer Relations Manager at National Louis University, as well as a volunteer coach with CTC.

Moving Through Change with Confidence - PUBLIC (10/28/2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Led by Blanche Roberts, Certified Resilience Coach

Change is constant for all of us, yet it can cause anxiety, doubt and insecurity. This workshop will address the types of change we experience, particularly in our professional lives, and how to move through this change with confidence and a sense of direction.

Workshop Learning Objectives

a) What is change, really?

b) Help you understand YOUR relationship with change

c) Provide attendees with a useful model for responding to change

d) Offer practical ways to move through change with confidence

What Clients Say:

"This is an excellent program! I learned how not to be afraid of change and how change can move you forward toward new opportunities for growth."

"A new level of awareness was created for me."

"Coping with change has always been difficult for me--especially as it relates to job searches. The workshop was taught with an underlying sensitivity, which helped me " feel" better about my career transition journey."

"Blanche's experience and demeanor shine through."

How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Workshop Series: Session 2- Meet People Through Your Joys- PUBLIC WORKSHOP (11/02/2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Session 2: Meet People Through Your Joys

Led by: Colleen McFarland, Author of Get GenZ into the Game

Overview:

Meeting new people doesn't have to feel awkward or forced. Learn and practice simple techniques for approaching people, engaging in conversation, and exiting gracefully—skills you can use at professional events, in a new workplace, and in everyday life.

While each session stands on its own, participants who continue through the full series will build momentum, deepen connections, and get the most value from the experience.

All sessions are held Mondays, 5:00 -6:00pm CT

Session 3: Monday, Nov. 16 - Getting to Know More People Through Your Joys

Session 4: Monday, Dec. 7 - Connecting with People Through Your Joys

Session 5: Monday, Dec. 14 - Ask Your Network for Help

About the Presenter:

This workshop is part of the How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Series brought to you by Colleen McFarland. To learn more about Colleen visit, www.colleenmcfarland.us.

Mastering the Art of Informational Interviewing -PUBLIC Workshop (11/09/2026)

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Led by: Marty Gahbauer

Executive Director of the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence at Elmhurst University

Informational interviewing can help you learn about your field, make great connections, build your network and work your way into target organizations and opportunities. How great is that? And yet, how do you gain comfort and confidence setting up and utilizing informational interviews to their fullest advantage? How do you reach out? What do you say? How do you ask for help and contacts? Learn from a CTC alumnus whose success resulted from informational interviewing!

What CTC Clients say about this workshop:

Great presenter. I loved the visuals of the presentation, and he was very dynamic and engaged the class.

I felt as if this workshop had something for everybody-- ranging from people new to informational interviewing to those who are experienced.

Excellent. Keep up great work!

Marty was outstanding!

How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Workshop Series: Session 3- Get to Know People Through Your Joys - PUBLIC WORKSHOP (11/16/2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Session 3: Get to Know People Through Your Joys

Led by: Colleen McFarland, Author of Get GenZ into the Game

Overview:

Meeting someone is only the beginning. Learn and practice ways to move beyond introductions, share enough of yourself, learn about the other person, and begin building a genuine professional relationship.

While each session stands on its own, participants who continue through the full series will build momentum, deepen connections, and get the most value from the experience.

All sessions are held Mondays, 5:00 -6:00pm CT

Session 4: Monday, Dec. 7 - Connecting with People Through Your Joys

Session 5: Monday, Dec. 14 - Ask Your Network for Help

About the Presenter:

This workshop is part of the How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Series brought to you by Colleen McFarland. To learn more about Colleen visit, www.colleenmcfarland.us.

How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Workshop Series: Session 4- Connect With People Through Your Joys- PUBLIC WORKSHOP (12/07/2026)

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Session 4: Connect With People Through Your Joys

Led by: Colleen McFarland, Author of Get GenZ into the Game

Overview:

One of the most powerful things you can do with a network is help other people use theirs. Learn and practice simple and more intentional ways to make meaningful connections between people—while strengthening your own relationships along the way.

While each session stands on its own, participants who continue through the full series will build momentum, deepen connections, and get the most value from the experience.

All sessions are held Mondays, 5:00 -6:00pm CT

Session 5: Monday, Dec. 14 - Ask Your Network for Help

About the Presenter:

This workshop is part of the How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Series brought to you by Colleen McFarland. To learn more about Colleen visit, www.colleenmcfarland.us.

How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Workshop Series: Session 5- Ask Your Network for Help- PUBLIC WORKSHOP (12/14/2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Session 5: Ask Your Network for Help

Led by: Colleen McFarland, Author of Get GenZ into the Game

Overview:

Strong networks are about giving and they're also about knowing how to ask for support. Learn and practice different ways to ask for help—from people already in your network and people who aren't "yet"—in ways that are thoughtful, comfortable, and effective.

While each session stands on its own, participants who continue through the full series will build momentum, deepen connections, and get the most value from the experience.

About the Presenter:

This workshop is part of the How Wrigley Field Made Me a Better Networker Series brought to you by Colleen McFarland. To learn more about Colleen visit, www.colleenmcfarland.us.