Connie Speirs

91 Virginia Avenue                                                                                               

Plainview, NY  11803

(917) 941 - 1600                                                                

connie221@optonline.net

CERTIFICATION:    Provisional Certification – School Counseling, (pre-K-12)            

SUMMARY:

• Over 15 years of experience counseling, advising and educating diverse populations of students and adults regarding academic, career and life planning issues
• Extensive experience in coordinating groups, workshops and events
• A skilled communicator with a unique ability to build relationships, motivate and inspire people

• A strong administrator with the ability to organize, prioritize and efficiently complete simultaneous projects
• Experienced with utilizing technology in creating and facilitating classroom guidance lessons

EDUCATION             Master of Science in School Counseling, May 2012

                                   CACREP Accredited Program         

                                   Long Island University - C.W. POST Campus, Brookville, NY    

                                    Bachelor of Science in Marketing May 1990

                                    Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY

EXPERIENCE

Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, NY

Career Advisor                                                                                                                           2012 - Present

• Counsel and advise students on career related issues such as job search techniques, interview skills, networking and business etiquette
• Create and present workshops designed support students as they prepare for life after college
• Provide students with real world, industry specific information to assist in making career choices
• Collaborate with management in creating a required career component to be added to the curriculum
• Coordinate events such as career fairs, workshops and employer visits
• Network with employers and community organizations to increase the school’s visibility and create employment opportunities for students
• Critique resumes and cover letters, conduct mock interviews and market students to local employers

Berkeley College, New York, NY                                                                

High School and Community Outreach Representative                                                       2009 to 2012

•  Conducted presentations to high school students throughout New York on topics such as goal setting, career planning, communication, interview skills and financial literacy 

Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, Westbury, NY   

Guidance Consultant – College and Career Center                                                                 5/12 – 6/12

 Guidance Intern – College and Career Center                                                                       1/12 to 4/12

• Counseled and supported students as they researched colleges, careers, scholarships and financial aid  
  • Coached students as they prepared for college and job interviews
  • Created and conducted presentations on transition issues such as time management, goal setting, work habits, job search techniques and interview strategies
  • Administered college placement exams, discussed results and planned student support
  • Wrote lesson plans and facilitated groups for students with attendance issues
  • Monitored attendance and counseled students with excessive absences
  • Established new articulation agreements and dual enrollments with colleges and universities
  • Organized and maintained the college center resource library

Queens High School of Teaching, Bellerose, NY                                                          

Guidance Intern                                                                                                                        9/11 to 12/11

• Facilitated a group for freshman that covered academic, social and other transition issues
• Conducted class presentations on transcripts and graduation requirements
• Counseled students through the college application process
• Attended meetings with teachers, administration and parents
• Coordinated college applications, transcripts and recommendation letters
• Reviewed senior transcripts to ensure that all graduation requirements were being met

Nassau B.O.C.E.S.

P.A.C.E. – Program of Alternative Comprehensive Education, Brookville, NY            

Guidance Intern                                                                                                                          1/11 to 6/11

• Counseled and observed at-risk youth in this drop-out prevention program for challenged or failing  high school students
• Provided individual and group counseling to increase self-esteem, improve academic performance and create a plan for the future
• Conducted in-class presentations on job search, interviewing skills, goal setting and self-esteem
• Reviewed transcripts and academic performance to ensure graduation requirements were being met

CAREER COUNSELING EXPERIENCE

Advanced Nursing Solutions, New York, NY                                                                               

Career Counselor/Recruiter                                                                                                    2004 to 2009

•  Counseled clients in all aspects of their job search including resume and cover letter critiques, job search techniques, interviewing skills and business etiquette
•  Marketed clients to employers, scheduled interviews and negotiated salary on behalf of the client

A+ Services and U.S. Nurses, New York, NY                      

Career Counselor/Recruiter                                                                                          1993 to 2004

•  Established and grew a recruiting firm that provided temporary and permanent staffing assistance to corporate and healthcare clients in the NYC area

VOLUNTEER WORK

Nassau Counselors Association                                            

Volunteer – Middle School Career Day                                                                              May 2012

• Assisted with all aspects of this event including verifying presenters and schools attending, coordinating schedules, observing presenters and obtaining feedback after the event.

Madonna Heights School, Dix Hills, NY                                                                  

Volunteer  - Mentor Coordinator                                                                                            2010 to 2011

•  Screened, interviewed and checked references of potential mentors
•  Obtain feedback from mentors and mentees and maintain a log of program participants and activities

Volunteer - Community Council/Transition Department                                                    2009 to 2010

•  Conducted a weekly workshop with high school Juniors and Seniors which covered college and career choices, SAT preparation, resumes, cover letters, interview skills and goal setting

SKILLS                       Knowledge of Naviance, GuidanceDirect, Career Connections, Classmate, 

                                     Powerschool, HSST, ATS, TeacherEase, SEMS, I-Log, Counselor Connect

                                     (SUNY), SENDedu, Aventa, CampusVue, Talisma, Microsoft Office and Prezi

AFFILIATIONS          Member, American School Counselor Association                      

                                    Member, Nassau Counselors Association

                                    Member, National Career Development Association