AN INTERVIEW WITH
Jennifer Stephens

  The Georgia Employer Committee would like to share with its viewers the EMR's who are vital to the success of the Local Committees throughout the State. This month we meet and talk with Jennifer Stephens of the Cartersville Career Center.

Tell us your name, your Career Center and how long you’ve been an EMR?

JS: - My name is Jennifer Stephens and I am the Employment Marketing Representative (EMR) for the Cartersville Career Center, serving Bartow and Paulding Counties. I have been an EMR officially since September 2005, but due to being short-staffed was unable to devote all my time to EMR duties until January 2006.

Do you have any special talents, hobbies or interests you’d like to share?

JS: - I like to “play in the dirt”, planting flowers, pulling weeds, etc. It’s a good stress reliever. I also like photography, especially nature scenes. I hope to pursue that on a part time basis when I retire.

What led you to your position as an EMR and why?

JS: - I worked in the Job Order Unit assisting employers with filling their job openings for about 10 years before becoming an EMR. I’ve always maintained a good rapport with the employers in our community. I felt the EMR position would be a natural progression for me so I could continue to market our services to our current employers as well as new employers that come to our area.

What do you feel is unique about the area in which you work?

JS: - Our area is unique in that we are close enough to Atlanta to be considered part of the “Metro Area” but far enough away to be out of the “Fast Lane”. Our area, while tripling in size in the last 20 years, has still maintained its’ hometown warmth & charm. This area has become attractive to new businesses especially in the retail & restaurant areas. Several points that draw many prospective businesses to this area are, we are easily accessible from Interstate 75, we have railroad access, and we have a great water supply in Lake Allatoona.

 

How active is your Employer Committee? What do you feel are its best features and biggest challenges?

JS: - We meet bi-monthly and our average attendance is 20-25 members. Our committee is growing thanks in part to the efforts of our new Chairperson, Denise Wright, who has been promoting the Employer Committee to her business contacts in the community. Our best feature is that our committee is so involved in giving back to the community. Our biggest challenge is keeping up with the growth in our area.

Have you or your Employer Committee received any awards or special recognition?

JS: - The Bartow County Employer Committee received the Project of the Year Award 2004 for the “Hoops for Hope” Charity Basketball Tournament and the “Beanie Baby” drive in which over 3,000 were collected to assist the soldiers in their “Win Them Over” campaign. For the “Beanie Baby” drive, our committee was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from Major General William G. Webster & the 3rd Infantry Division & Fort Stewart for “exceptional support of the 3rd Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom III”. Our Committee received the Committee of the Year Award for 2005.

What community activities do you participate in as an EMR?

JS: - I serve as an Ambassador with the Bartow Co. Chamber of Commerce. I also serve as Chairperson on the Marketing & Management Advisory Committee for North Metro Technical College. I am a member of the City of Cartersville Economic Development Committee for their Visioning 2030 Project. I am a member of GA Dept. of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation D.O.O.R Luncheon Committee (Developing Ongoing Opportunities for Rehabilitation) which is an annual event to recognize the accomplishments of students with disabilities and the employers in our community that provide opportunities for these students to become a part of our growing workforce.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

JS: - I enjoy getting out in the community & visiting new & existing businesses that still are not aware of the services that we offer. I especially enjoy promoting the Georgia Works Training Program. It’s like giving them a gift they weren’t expecting.

In the future, what would you most like to accomplish as EMR?

JS: - I would like to dispel forever the old stereotype that we are the “UN”employment Office. I’m still surprised at the number of business customers as well as jobseekers and the general public that aren’t aware of the resources we have to offer them.

What future trends do you see in employment needs in my area?

JS:- Our area is growing rapidly in a lot of areas. We have a lot of new restaurants and retailers coming to our area, but we also have new manufacturers coming in (new and relocating businesses). I see employers relying on services of the Department of Labor to staff their business and assisting with training in certain circumstances.

Jennifer Stephens and
CC Manager Debra Larsen

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