Chaldean Education & Career Center

When sales slump due to a slow economy, a Chaldean business owner’s first inclination is often to cut the marketing budget. After all, one has fixed costs and cash flow can be irregular. But marketing should be the last activity Chaldeans eliminate or you risk an even faster downward spiral.

Advertising your business and attracting new customers must be an ongoing process, and there are many things Chaldean entrepreneurs can do that cost absolutely nothing.

Here are just a few suggestions.

Present
Professional event and meeting planners are always looking for presenters and workshop leaders for conferences. Chaldean entrepreneurs can research contact names in the Directory of Event Planners or partner with a local church, community center, or event planner to organize a community workshop related to your expertise.  When you do get the opportunity to make a presentation or speak to group of people, be sure to collect business cards for a drawing to win a book or other prize related to your business.

As the cost of a college education rises, Chaldean students are finding ways to foot the bill. Chaldean Students have won scholarships to pay their way through school. What's their secret?

They know where to find scholarships, when to look for them and how to write for them. There's no guarantee you'll win a scholarship, but there are ways to skew the odds in your favor.

Where's the Money: Anywhere and Everywhere

Michigan, USA – The Chaldean Education and Career Center (CE&CC) shares with the Chaldean community middle and high school teachers a wonderful opportunity.  Wayne State University is once again, hosting a Teachers Cultural Awareness Summer Workshop which focuses on Middle Eastern Culture, Arabic Language, and the Intelligence Community. 

Michigan, USA – The Chaldean Education and Career Center urges Chaldean parents with sons to take advantage of an upcoming family workshop featuring national best selling author and internationally recognized authority on boys and men, Dr. William S. Pollack, PhD.

The event will be held on November 3, 2008 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the Oakland Schools Building, located on 2111 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford, Michigan, 48328. 

Dr. Pollack's presentation will address the crisis of boyhood in America, specialized techniques for reconnecting with boys, new approaches to "Mothering" and "Fathering", and new models of understanding "What makes boys tick"

The event is free to those who RSVP by e-mailing info@chaldean.org. 

California, USA - Catholic Answers Live invites Chaldeans to a number of possible job opportunities with Catholic Answers, the largest Catholic apologetics and evangelization organization in North America.  Catholic Answers has reached out to www.CHALDEAN.org asking for assistance in promoting a number of fantastic positions within their organization. 

One position invites Chaldeans to consider being a radio host.  Based out of El Cajon, California Catholic Answers is seeking a radio host for their Catholic Answers Live daily radio program. 

Catholic Answers is also offering Chaldeans around the world five other job opportunities in IT and customer service. 

Parents of children who attend private schools are more satisfied with their schools than parents of children in public education settings, according to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics, while parents whose children attend the public school of their choice are more satisfied than those whose children attend an assigned public school.

"Parent and Family Involvement in Education, 2006-2007 School Year," said that 82 percent of parents whose children attended a private, nonreligious school and 81 percent whose children attended a private religious school described themselves as "very satisfied" with their schools, compared to 55 percent of parents whose children attend an assigned public school and 63 percent of those whose children attend a public school of their choice.

Released in August, the report is based on telephone interviews with parents conducted in the first half of 2007 on a wide range of topics: school satisfaction, parental involvement in schools, school-parent communication, satisfaction with teachers, discipline and homework levels. While the specific numbers varied, more private school parents than public school parents were very satisfied with teachers, academic standards, discipline, and school/parent interaction.

Other findings:

Michigan, USA - Three levels of difficulty will challenge Chaldean visitors to the second annual Bowers Farm Corn Maze nestled in the fields of Bloomfield Township’s historic farm at 1219 E. Square Lake Road.

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 27 and continuing Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 1, the corn maze will offer beginning, intermediate and advanced routes covering ten acres.  All mazes have check points where visitors can consult a map.  Walking time varies from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on pace. Guides will be present inside the maze to assist visitors.  

Chaldean families can also enjoy free wagon rides or horse drawn hayrides for $3, concessions including apple cider, doughnuts and hot dogs roasted over a bonfire, complimentary on-site parking, and pumpkin picking beginning Oct. 17.  Guests should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, and may bring flashlights for after dark.

Maryland, USA  - Habib Habib.  Sounds like a musical, but the story of the Neumann College freshman with the duplicative name reads more like a documentary.

Habib came to the United States in 2005 as part of a youth exchange and scholarship program, living in San Diego with his aunt while attending school.  Typically, students return home after one academic year, but in Habib's case, home meant Iraq, where his Catholic family had been living in fear of extremists since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

That fear intensified when word began to spread in Baghdad that Habib was not, as his family claimed, studying in neighboring Jordan but rather in the U.S.  "When word got out, I was forced to stay in the U.S.," said Habib, who was granted asylum in 2006. "It was too dangerous to go home. I would be dead."

Michgian, USA - Tough economic times in Michigan have made it difficult on many Chaldean families.  Without a doubt, a large majority of Chaldeans have their own business or employ other Chaldeans.  The combination of cultural flexibility and understanding, language, and the hard-work ethic desired has brought Chaldean employees and employers together. 

Recognizing the need, the Chaldean Education & Career Center (CE&CC) has partnered with Oakland County Workforce Development Corps to provide Chaldeans a convenient, one-stop access to job training programs and services for employers and job seekers.

We have convenient centers located in highly populated Chaldean residential areas to serve your needs. 

California, USA - Chaldean delivery driver, Salim Audesh beams with pride as nearly 3,500 California educators give his son, Fadi Shaya a standing ovation. 

The Shaya Christian home outside of Baghdad was blown up when he was 6.  When most children would be learning their multiplication tables in school, Fadi was learning to fire a rifle to deter Muslims who had beaten him unconscious several times.  When not helping his father defend the family, Fadi would be making deliveries by mule in Iraq.  Consistent and repeated threats against Christians in Iraq, the Shaya family decided to leave everything behind and flee Iraq.  

Smuggled into Greece, Fadi Shaya spent the next few years later selling tissues and lottery tickets on the streets of Greece.  Eventually the family makes it to the shores of America and Shaya’s family focus coupled with American opportunity turns to extraordinary achievement. 

California, USA - California community college system expects to receive 1.7 percent increase proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, said Chris Yatooma. Yatooma director of fiscal planning for the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office in Sacramento. 

Community colleges get about two-thirds of their money from the state budget, and the rest from property taxes and student fees. State lawmakers have yet to pass a new budget this summer, but the The 1.7 percent increase - about $95 million - would pay for roughly 19,000 new students statewide. However, the state's 110 community colleges are expecting about 32,000 new students during the 2008-09 school year.

"I'm praying to God that the radiology technician job is available," said Lawrence Petu.  Petu started an accelerated program at West Hills College last August to become a technician - someone who helps with medical technology after being licensed by the state.

Michigan, USA - With the help a leading Chaldean educator at Wayne State University, efforts have been made to help qualified Chaldean students receive admission, garner scholarships, and transfer to Wayne State University from Oakland Community College.  Preferring to remain anonymous the Chaldean professor and lead administrator has been aggressively pursuing new options and pathways to help high school and community college students overcome barriers. 

Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) is pleased to inform Chaldean college bound students that Wayne State University and Oakland Community College (OCC) have signed an agreement making it easier for students in business, computer science and engineering at OCC to complete a bachelor's degree at Wayne State.   Chaldean students wishing to transfer to WSU will find it convenient to attend their upper-division courses on the main campus of WSU or at Wayne State's Oakland Center in Farmington Hills.

Michigan, USA - Developing on their growing relationship the Chaldean Education and CareerCenter and the University of Phoenix, Chaldeans are offered two local career fair opportunities in Southfield, Michigan. 

Corporate developer and diversity expert Stephanie English from University of Phoenix has been working with the Chaldean Education and Career Center to develop college education and career solutions for the Chaldean community.  The University is offering Chaldeans easy registration processes, one-on-one counseling, and now hosts two career fairs exposing job opportunities in the telecommunications and information technology industry for interested Chaldeans.     

“The Chaldean community has unique needs that the University of Phoenix perfectly fits.  We offer accredited college education and corporate training directly to hard-working Chaldeans.  Our university understands that many Chaldeans have a family to care for and may be unable or unwilling to travel to distant campuses or sit in a class for three to four hour stretches in the middle of the day.  Many Chaldeans are required to work long hours to provide for their family.  Our online courses are broadcasted directly to the homes or businesses of Chaldeans with ease and simplicity,” says English.

Michgian, USA - The Chaldean Federation of America (CFA) with supporting coordination from the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) will be hosting the 26th Annual Chaldean Commencement and Gala Party.  The Chaldean Commencement celebrates the 2007-2008 Chaldean high school and college graduates.  The event showcases the community’s top student scholars and helps raise tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship money for Chaldean students. 

The event will be held Thursday, June 12th starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Southfield Millennium Center, located on 15600 J. L. Hudson Drive in Southfield, MI. 48075.

Michigan, USA - Ask most southeast Michigan residents about Chaldeans and you’re likely to hear that Chaldeans are well known for their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, intelligence, hard-work ethics, competitive drive, and success.   The influential group of Iraqi immigrants seems to have a special knack of turning lemons into lemonade. 

“We learned from our parents and grandparents to rely on ourselves and to reject being dependant.  Our community struggle taught us not to rely on the government.  Doing so will enslave you and make you weak.  We were taught to work together as a family, help one another, and that each and every Chaldean, no matter where they work or how old they are, must make a difference,” says Renee Hindo of the Chaldean Education and Career Center in Southfield, Michigan.   

Can such a spirit survive in corporations where thinking outside-the-box is reserved only for executives?  Can the Chaldean entrepreneurship gene survive in professional and corporate environment?

Theresa Sitto, an English Language Learners and Reading Recovery teacher at Pleasant Lake Elementary in Walled Lake, Michigan seems to think so.  The 20 year teaching veteran shows that no matter what type of work or profession you do, you can make a difference.

Michigan, USA – Chaldean Education and Career Center (CECC) and the Southfield Public Library hosts a Chaldean community workshop series on computers.  The five week session invites Chaldean adults every Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning March 29 to learn computer fundamentals. 

The five week course is free of charge to all registered guests, thanks to the donation of a Chaldean philanthropist and the Southfield public Library.  The course will cover computer basics, introduction to office applications, internet surfing, internet applications, and internet safety. 

The course will be taught in English, Aramaic/Syriac (Sourath), and Arabic.  Guests are required to register by calling (248) 356-0565.  The event is available to the first 30 respondents.  

Michigan, USA - Chaldeans preparing to attend college are invited to a FREE FAFSA filing session.  The event will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2008, from 2 – 4 p.m. at several locations in the metro Detroit area. 

The "College Goal Sunday" will offer college bound students to meet with finical aid experts and receive immediate assistance with submitting a federal student aid application.  Chaldeans not sure about college are encouraged to apply for the money now and decide later. If you wait, chances are you’ll get less.

Students needing assistance regarding scholarship or financial aid from the Chaldean Education and Career Center are required to first attend College Goal Sunday event.   Those who attend "College Goal Sunday" have a chance at more than $5,000 in scholarships and gift cards. 

Michigan, USA - The Chaldean Education and Career Center, Chaldean American Student Association of Michigan, and Chaldean American Professionals share with the community four very important instructional family based seminars on children with special needs.  The events are free and will be held throughout Oakland and Wayne County.

Chaldean parents and health professionals which include teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, psychologist, ministers, and community family aid providers as well as Chaldean college students studying in these fields are strongly encouraged to register and attend.  The events offers state accredited certificates and an opportunity to network with other professionals in your field. 

The seminars will be held in English by industry experts.  The dates for the events are February 16, March 5, and March 18. The seminar will cover state aid and educational services for families with children of special needs. 

Afterwards CE&CC, CASA-MI, and CAP will be organizing special culturally focused sessions for families with children of special needs.  A brief summary including the seminar syllabus, location, and registration requirements follows.

Michigan, USA - Many Chaldeans are often forced to work in dangerous neighborhoods and high crime areas.  Some feel the local city police apathetic concern for Chaldean businesses bolsters the criminal to act.    Although Chaldeans have taken wise precautions to reduce the threat of attack and robbery, Chaldeans remain victims.  With bullet proof glass, immediate armed robbery alarm systems, video surveillance systems, and armed security guards or employees Chaldeans remain at risk. 

Working to address these challenges the Chaldean Education and Career Center is working with other Chaldean organizations to help address these growing concerns.  Groups like the Chaldean Justice League, Chaldean American Bar Association, Chaldean Caucus, and the Chaldean Federation of America are consistently looking for ways to help reduce attacks against Chaldeans and their property. 

In that spirit, the Chaldean Education and Career Center is organizing a series of Advanced Small Arms Self-Defense Training near Camp Chaldean.  The CE&CC along with the Livingston Gun Club and Live Safe Academy will be holding a three Self-Defense training session. 

Michigan, USA - Chaldeans who are looking for the inside advantage on their college applications should look no further.  The Chaldean Education and Career Services and the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) of Michigan shares the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan public library special admission preparation sessions for college bound students called "Apps of Steel".  Afterward, a Chaldean application workshop will be held specifically for U of M, WSU, U of D Mercy, Michigan State, and Oakland University. 

The "Apps of Steel" event is a special seminar held by the Bloomfield Township Public Library.  The event will help Chaldean college bound students gain the upper hand when submitting college admissions.  The wokhop afterward hosted by the Chaldean Educaiton and Career Center and Chaldean American Students Assocation will cover admission requirements for Michigan universities. 

The "Apps of Steel" college application seminar will be held Friday, December 28, at 10 a.m., and a second identical session, at 11 a.m. at the Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI.