>> ... Next Generation ...
To Work'
Looking to jump-start your career?
VIVIAN HENOCH I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
A
re you young, Jewish and hoping to make
your move in the Detroit Metropolitan area?
Federation's NEXTGen Connect is all about
helping young, talented professionals find the
right fit with the right company. Whether you're looking for
a summer internship or you're ready to find your dream job,
NEXTGen Connect has the resources and connections to
help get you there.
A win-win in a split
decision: Lauren
Kepes, 23, landed
her first job after
graduation as an
employment spe-
cialist, a position
she fills three days
a week at JVS and
two days a week at
Federation.
How It Works
Through networking events, social media, strong
partnerships, word-of-mouth and access to business leaders
in the community, NEXTGen Connect has made hundreds
of contacts for jobseekers and companies in search of new
and emerging talent and professionals. NEXTGen Connect
is a program of the Jewish Federation's NEXTGen Detroit
working in partnership with its Business Hub and JVS to
offer a menu of personalized services that help young job
applicants:
• Produce polished, effective resumes
• Hone interviewing skills
• Set career goals
• Network, connect and find their fit in the business
community
Students who are currently in college and recent
graduates are eligible to register for the program. For
graduates and young professionals building careers,
NEXTGen Connect provides access to an active database
of employment opportunities and real connections to
interested employers in a wide range of fields, from
business to medicine, marketing to nonprofit work.
looking for," Lauren says.
A NEXTGen event plus a connection in Israel played into
Lauren's good fortune in the job hunt. At an event called
Good Shabbos Detroit, Lauren linked up with Yoav Raban,
a Federation staffer from the Michigan Partnership2Gether
Region in Israel, whom she had met on a previous Birthright
trip. Yoav encouraged Lauren to connect with Amy, who just
so happened to be looking for partnership in handling the
volume of calls to NEXTGen Connect.
Lauren's credentials fit the needs of both JVS and
Federation, where she how divides her time and shares her
expertise working as an employment specialist for both
organizations.
A native of Florida
with a mind for
business and a
strong background
in economics, Traci
Gordon, 25, fol-
lowed her heart
to Michigan and
found a healthy
start in an opportu-
nity with HealthRise
Solutions.
Making Connections,
Meeting With Success
"NEXTGen Connect is a relatively new program of the
Jewish Federation, but clearly it is meeting a growing need
in the community," says Amy Brody, Federation's NEXTGen
employment coordinator. "We get calls every day from
young people — students about to graduate here in town
and young professionals seeking to return to Detroit or
venture here for the first time. They come to us with many
backgrounds and skills, but the one thing they have in
common in their search for opportunity in Detroit is the
desire and drive to be a part of the resurgence of a great
American city."
Meet Lauren Kepes
Proof positive that timely networking and close partnerships
work in Jewish Detroit, Lauren Kepes landed her position
as an employment specialist with JVS in a matter of weeks
after graduation. With a B.A. in social work from Indiana
University and a master's degree in social work from the
University of Michigan, Lauren had a clear career path.
From the start, her job search led to Federation's door
and Amy Brody, who directed her to the JVS job portal,
ACTNow.jobs
"I was looking for clinical work, engaging directly with
clients, but not in a therapy setting such as a hospital or
school. The position at JVS is a perfect fit — just what I was
42
December 18 • 2014
Meet Traci Gordon
With an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University,
where she studied economics, mathematics and business,
Traci Gordon had the background needed for the interesting
fields of microeconomic research, market structure and their
applications. Her first position in Boston was with a health
services research group.
Describing her relocation to the Metro Detroit area,
Traci says, "During my four years at Brandeis, I met the
love of my life — Michael Baum, who returned to his
family in the Metro Detroit area after college. After a few
years of professional experience under my belt and a few
too many years of long-distance, we began my job search
in the Metro Detroit area in preparation for my move to
Michigan."
Michael put Traci in touch with Amy Brody at NEXTGen
to help. "Before I officially moved, we spoke many times,
exploring my career interests and the opportunities
available in the area," Traci says. "It was during one of our
talks that she told me about David Farbman, entrepreneur
and founder of HealthRise Solutions, a revenue cycle
company in Southfield, working exclusively in the health
care field. Amy put me in touch with staff at HealthRise, and
through the interviewing process we found it was a fit. Amy
made me feel confident in my job search. She connected my
interests and goals with companies and positions available
in the area."
A Shabbat meal in
Israel, a resume
passed back and
forth in Detroit ...
finding just the right
words to make the
connection, Daniel
Sherizen, 32, landed
his dream job at
Mango Languages.
Meet Daniel Sherizen
Daniel Sherizen grew up in Oak Park and attended Yeshiva
University in New York City where he graduated with a
B.A. in economics. After college, he remained in New York,
working in sales for a translation company, then in HR and
executive recruiting. With a desire to return to his family
roots in Detroit and drawn by the resurgence of the city, he
started his search for the right opportunity.
The first he heard of a company called Mango Languages
was a tip from his brother in Israel, who had hosted one
of the owners of the company for a Shabbat dinner. While
there were no immediate openings at Mango, Daniel's
family in Detroit, eager for his return, put him in touch with
Amy Brody, who helped Daniel land an interim position
with Kelly Services in Detroit.
Patience. In the hunt for the perfect job, there can be
turns in the road. The good news is that Daniel's move to
Detroit has paid off, and his search has resulted in landing a
position as a sales rep with Mango, a fast-moving creative
company helping develop language learning experiences for
libraries, schools and corporations.
"Mango is a fun, hard-working company," Daniel says.
"And I love being back in Detroit." ❑
Vivian Henoch is a writer for myjewishdetroit. org
where this story first appeared.
Employers Wanted
If you have opportunities to professionally
engage young Jewish Detroiters, contact Amy
Brody at brody@jfmd.org with information
about available internships, job openings,
events, workshops and seminars. She would love
to connect you to the right intern or employee
for the job.