For the past 21 months. I have enjoyed giving career advice, answering your questions and profiling people and businesses in Milton. It has been my joy to find inspiration in the neighbors whom I have met, interviewed and written about.  I have profiled our educators, our public servants, our artists, our businessmen and women, and I have learned something from each and every one of them.  All have been passionate about their work; all were generous with their time and with their advice for others; and all were deeply connected to the Milton community. I want to thank all of the people who …

Is the resume dead?  In my opinion, definitely not! Although an increasing number of both job seekers and employers also utilize social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, the traditional resume is still alive and well.  In fact, during my walk-in hours as the Milton Job Doctor at the Milton Public Library, almost everyone I see wants help with their resume. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I encounter:  WHAT ABOUT THE ONE-PAGE RULE FOR RESUMES? Some employers are sticklers for one-page resumes. However, if your relevant experience warrants more than one …

Like her namesake from The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Fleming has discovered that “there’s no place like home." “Home” for Fleming is Milton – it’s where she lives and where she works.  After trial and error in a variety of jobs that felt anything but comfortable, Fleming finally found the right fit as Senior Lecturer in the English department at Curry College.  “I enjoy teaching the students at Curry. They are fun and open-minded, and my colleagues are terrific. My goal is to create a nurturing setting where students learn to perfect the essay form of writing and the basics of the dreaded research…

Milton Residents, it’s the New Year, and I encourage you to make your New Year’s resolutions in the form of a call to action!  Although the experts hint that the Massachusetts economy is recovering, I know that many of you are still struggling to find work or are staying too long in a job that you have outgrown.   Resolve to take some steps that can help lead to successful re-employment: 1. FIND A JOB SEARCH PARTNER If you are unemployed, it can help to buddy up with a neighbor or friend who is also unemployed and commit to being accountable to each other.  Schedule a regular weekly check-in …

When the calendar reads mid-December, the days are getting shorter, and the weather’s getting colder and your stress level rises in anticipation of the holidays, especially if you’re unemployed.  Do you find yourself d saying “bah humbug” more often than “ho-ho-ho”? If that sounds familiar, here are some possible ways for you to remain positive and proactive in your job search during the Holidays. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, the lull between Christmas and New Year’s may actually be a good time to step up your job search activities.   While the malls might still be crowded, many …

Finally, as a mid-career changer, Milton resident Diane Rodriguez found her ideal job, as the Head Librarian/Library Teacher at the Boston Latin School.  “I was hired at Boston Latin in August 2011, and this is without a doubt the best job of my life. Gorgeous, spacious library at a prestigious exam school, generously funded by alums; new books and technology every year. The students are motivated to learn, and the other teachers treat me with respect,” says Rodriguez.    As a high school librarian, Rodriguez is charged with offering support to the students and teachers on reading and …

This school year, Milton welcomed two new principals, Janet Sheehan at the Collicot Elementary School, and Dr. Joseph Arangio, Jr. at Milton High School. Both Sheehan and Arangio had worked in the Milton Public School system before: Sheehan as a teacher and assistant principal at Collicot from 1994 to 2001 and Arangio as principal of the High School from 1997-2002. In the decade between her two terms in Milton, Sheehan was the principal of the Joseph Osgood elementary school in Cohasset.  When she learned of the vacancy at Collicot, Sheehan was thrilled.  “The timing was perfect.  My …

Dr. Joe Arangio, Jr. is a lucky man. He found his calling – education - and he found it early. And his passion for teaching and school administration has lasted almost 50 years.     Fortunately for Milton, a number of those years have been spent at Milton High School. Some of you may remember him when he was the principal of the high school, from 1997-2002. Recently Arangio has accepted a position as the interim principal at the high school for the 2011-12 school year.  When asked how it feels to return to a full-time position after retiring,  Arangio says: “It feels great; it’s been nine …

Twenty-five years ago, Jack Grant went into the family business, the fire department. Like so many other firefighters, Grant is second generation; and in his family there is a third generation coming along - his son, a senior in high school.  Some of his staff in the Milton Fire Department are third, or even fourth generation.  “You know what the job is; you know that it’s a good schedule, and that there are a lot of work benefits and family benefits that go with the job,” says Chief Grant.  A firefighter’s good schedule is definitely not 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. Firefighters don’t sit …

If you are a young person 18-22 years of age and interested in criminal justice (or know someone who fits that description), do you know about the Cadet program at the Milton Police Department?    Four new cadets, all from Milton, were hired last week. Chad Depina, Patrick Marr, Patrick Nee, and Travis Weekes will fill entry-level positions inside the station as dispatchers. If a cadet stays in that position for at least two years, he or she may be eligible to be hired as a rookie police officer. Cadets are encouraged to continue their education at the same time that they are working; there …