Not everyone is thinking about Mardi Gras

Every year around this time, folks in the region are wrapped up in thoughts of purple, green and gold, but this year finds many area residents focused more on the daily news, searching for a glimmer of hope that our national economic situation may be turning around.

If you have lost a job because of the effects of the national recession, or you will soon be finishing school and are concerned about your employment prospects, there are several career fairs and networking events in NW Louisiana over the coming weeks and months that you should explore. If you are a graduate of a local college or university, many will be offering their own career fair for students and alumni during the spring months.  There will also be the 1st Annual Regional Louisiana College Career Fair April 4th in Shreveport. Check out the NEON calendar of events to see what opportunities are out there for finding a job or networking.

And whether you have lost a job or not, now is definitely the time to beef up your skills at one of the colleges and universities in NW Louisiana.  Either by taking a continuing ed training class in a software program you don't know, or registering for a technical certification program, you will make youself more marketable in this current depressed job market and will be better prepared for when the turnaround comes (and it will come). To explore the continuing education opportunities out there, check out NEON's Education Resources page to see a full list of colleges and universities in the region.

Upcoming Events

• Throughout February the La. Small Business Development Center on the LSUS campus will be offering useful workshops for potential or existing small business owners
• Feb 5, 5-7 pm:  network with area professionals at the Regional Power Meet of the Shreveport Chamber
• Feb 12, 9 am-2 pm: La Tech Spring Career Fair for students & alumni
• Feb 18, 12-1 pm: YPI lunch & learn "10 Tips in Business Etiquette"
• Feb 19, 9 am-1 pm: Grambling Career Fair for students & alumni
• Feb 27, 8:30 am-3 pm: Career Fair for students of Caddo Career & Technology Center
• Feb 28, 8:30 am-4 pm: Job Fair for returning La. Ntional Guardsmen

Click here to see our complete detailed calendar of upcoming career, networking and community events!

In addition to exploring the NEON Employer Profiles page, you can find out more about specific needs of Northwest Louisiana employers by clicking here 

Training News

There are ample opportunities locally for you to add to your skills portfolio, making you more marketable to employers.  Below are some of the latest offerings at regional colleges and universities:

• NEW Cyber Info Tech Degrees at BPCC

• Brownfield Jobs Training FREE at SUSLA

• Film Industry Internship program at SUSLA

Click here to learn more about training programs in Northwest Louisiana.

New Employer Profiles

If you are currently seeking a job in Northwest Louisiana or will soon begin the process, it helps to know your market.  Below are the newest regional companies profiled on the NEON website.  Click here to see the full list of profiled employers.

Delta Pathology

Omega Diagnostics

Did You Know?

• Coworking is coming to downtown Shreveport. Not sure what coworking is? Click here to read more.
• Locally filmed and financed The Last Lullaby will have its nationwide distribution launch in Shreveport-Bossier.  How can you help make it a success? Find out more by clicking here.
• Speaking of the film industry, did you know 2008 was a record-setting year for film & television production in Louisiana? Read more here.