If you’re heading to a job interview or attending a career fair, chances are you’ll hear this classic opening line: “So, tell me about yourself.” It may sound simple, but it’s one of the most important questions you’ll answer. In just 30–60 seconds, you have the chance to make a memorable first impression and connect […]
Special Issues
Posted inSpecial Issues
Best practices for requesting professional references
A professional reference can make or break a job opportunity. When employers request references, they’re asking for an endorsement of your skills and experience from a qualified source. When a reference provides a great referral, it confirms your strengths and abilities. But if a reference provides a less than stellar review, it can be detrimental […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Your career catalyst
Landing the career opportunity you want often stems from the relationships you build. Prioritizing and nurturing your network isn’t just about the immediate job hunt; it’s about crafting a resilient and rewarding career path. Leveraging your professional network offers a significant edge in today’s competitive landscape. Here’s how it can revolutionize your job search: 1. […]
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LLCC offering Essential Workplace Skills series
Lincoln Land Community College is offering its popular Essential Workplace Skills training series this fall at its LLCC-Medical District location at 130 W. Mason St. The series is designed for individuals seeking to upskill or boost their marketability – including job seekers, current employees and anyone wanting to sharpen critical soft skills. For a limited […]
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Start a new school year with more independence
As parents, one of our most important goals is to teach our children to be independent, but teaching those skills can sometimes be difficult and fraught. It’s not always easy for kids to walk into their new roles and responsibilities with good cheer, and it’s definitely not easy for parents to let go. Our well-meaning […]
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Springfield teen publishes first book
“My consciousness blended into my unconsciousness” begins the new young adult fiction page-turner, Amoeba, by Rayna Vincent, published on Amazon in May. It’s the first novel for the Springfield 14-year-old, but it probably won’t be her last. “A lot of people have asked me if there is going to be a sequel,” Vincent says of […]
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STEAM learning opportunities for kids
Scouting America and Illinois State Museum team up for STEAM workshops The Abraham Lincoln Council of Scouting America is partnering with the Illinois State Museum to present a monthly series of STEM workshops with engaging hands-on experiences for boys and girls ages 5–11. Programs will be offered one Saturday each month in September, October and […]
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‘Born leader’ will represent students on the D186 School Board
Are leaders born or made? For 17-year-old Jordan Robinson, the new student representative on the Springfield District 186 school board, leadership appears to be a combination of innate qualities and acquired skills. “Is Jordan a born leader? Yes,” said her mom, Jessica Pope-Robinson, with a smile. “We say she was like this from the get-go. […]
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Family event calendar
AUGUST Illinois State Fair Aug. 7-17. Massive annual fair features every kind of food imaginable, the sounds of music and concertgoers’ cheers at the Grandstand shows, a midway, harness-racing events and tons of agricultural shows and more. The fun begins Aug. 7 with the Twilight Parade. See the fair’s website for complete schedule. Illinois State […]
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Springfield’s Reisch Beer makes a comeback
Reisch Beer had a long and wonderful history in Springfield. The Reisch Brewing Company was founded in 1849 by Franz Reisch, an immigrant from Germany, on the land that is now occupied by SIU School of Medicine facilities. At one point, it was the longest-running brewery in the country, and the beers brewed were uncontested […]
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A famous photo imprinted on the photographer’s life
The haunting pictures of the deadly riot at Kent State University in 1970 are among the most famous news photographs in American history. The incident left four dead and nine wounded in the bloodiest exchange in a college protest in the era. The clash was defined by the photographic image of a young girl, screaming […]
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The heart of Springfield’s Muslim community
About the article This article is part of the Healing Illinois 2025 Reporting Project, “Healing Through Narrative Change: Untold Stories,” made possible by a grant from Healing Illinois, an initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Field Foundation of Illinois that seeks to advance racial healing through storytelling and community collaborations. After a recent […]
