Time to Grow Our Talent

“Talent, talent, talent. A challenge that industries and companies across Indiana are facing is to find people with the necessary skills to fill open positions. Many organizations are recognizing that if we continue down this path without making changes, our economy will certainly suffer.” - Marc Levy, Executive Director at the Questa Education Foundation, Guest Column in BizVoice Magazine

At Questa, we are dedicated to not just helping students complete their education and graduate with less debt, but retaining their great talent in the Northeast Indiana area. Talent retention is key if we are going to join together to grow our economy and businesses - we must invest in people.

Read more about Questa’s strategic approach to retaining talent in the March/April 2019 issue of BizVoice Magazine. You can find the full magazine online here: https://www.bizvoicemagazine.com/ or read the full article below.

Read the full article HERE.

FAFSA Opens Today!

In Indiana, October 1st is the first day that high school seniors and returning college students can file FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) up until April 15th. There are several resources out there if you are concerned about completing, have questions, or just want to mark off the FAFSA on your college to-do list! We hope these resources below help!

EVENTS & RESOURCES

FAFSA Completion Event

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Fort Wayne Community Schools is partnering with Purdue Fort Wayne to provide a FAFSA Completion event in Fort Wayne, IN! Get help on your FAFSA and complete it on site, enter to win prizes, visit vendors, and grab some food truck food! The event begins at 10:00 am and will end at 1:30 pm. Located in the parking lot between FACE (Family & Community Engagement Center) and Anthis Career Center.

230 East Douglas Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN

College Goal Sunday

October 28, 2018 & February 24, 2019

At locations across Indiana, financial aid experts will give free FAFSA filing help to students and their families. Visit http://www.collegegoalsunday.org/ for more information and the College Goal location nearest to you.

21st Century Scholars Day at the Indiana Latino Expo

October 13, 2018

Indiana University is holding a 21st Century Scholars Day at the Indiana Latino Expo on Saturday, October 13 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. This event is completely free and is located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis

1202 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, In 46205

Find more info:

English

Spanish

Education & Career Coalition

Eric Hoover with 3Rivers Credit Union founded the Education & Career Coalition that is dedicated to bringing resources and help to college students in career pathways, college decisions, and financial wellness. The coalition has built a FAFSA guide to help you though the application. Find the guides in English or Spanish below, or visit your local 3Rivers branch for help. More information is available on the 3Rivers Student Resources page here.

English

Spanish

Follow the ECC on Twitter @EricHooverEdu and don’t miss out on new opportunities and announcements!

Feel free to reach out to Questa Education Foundation if you have any questions about financial aid! Call 260-407-6494 or email us at info@questafoundation.org.

Internships with the State Senate & Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.

Internships are the best way to gain experience about your career field, learn valuable skills, network with professionals, and possibly land a job! Though you may be busy with class work as a current student, participating in an internship is one of the most valuable experiences you can obtain while in college.

Questa’s goal is to invest in talent in Northeast Indiana - that’s you! Through the Questa Scholars Program students are given a chance to focus on their education and graduate with less debt. In addition, Questa also teams up with businesses to match internship stipends up to $2,500. If you are a recent college graduate or a current student we encourage you to learn more about our internship partnerships, and apply! Get as much experience as you can now, to land your dream job later.

If you know of any other internship opportunities, or you work for a business offering internships, let Questa know! We would be interested in talking with you to share these opportunities with our scholars, and talk over internship matching possibilities.

Indiana State Senate Internship Opportunities

Deadline to for Democrat Internships: October 31, 2018

Republican Internships: Applications open May 1, 2019

The Indiana State Senate is offering paid internship opportunities to recent and current undergraduates as well as graduate students. Interns will work directly with Indiana legislators at the Statehouse, located in downtown Indianapolis. Questa Education Foundation is excited to announce that Questa will match up to $2,500 of the internship stipend for students in the Northeast Indiana area that apply and receive an internship opportunity with the State Senate. These internships are a unique opportunity to gain practical and hands-on knowledge of state government through active participation in the legislative process.

The goal is that students will build a solid skill set and invest their skills back into the Northeast Indiana area including Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Steuben, Whitley, Wabash, and Wells counties. To receive this match, students must be from one of the eleven counties and be majoring in or entering into a related career field.

Find more information and how to apply for these internships at www.IndianaSenateInternship.com.

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Fellows

Deadline to apply: Applications accepted through October 26, 2018

Greater Fort Wayne Inc. offers a fellowship program that includes a project-based internship with free summer housing if needed, personal development workshops, networking events, and more. Questa will match up to $2,500 in internship stipends with GFW Fellows.

A wide variety of internship opportunities are available including:

• Software Developer - TransWorks

• IT Intern - Franklin Electric

• Data Analyst Internship - Lincoln Financial Group

• Business Systems Analyst Internship - Rea Magnet Wire

• Marketing Internship - Do it Best Corp.

• Finance and Accounting Internship - Indiana Tech

• Sales and Operations Management Internship - Penske

Apply on the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Fellows website.

Other Internships to Consider*

*Questa does not specifically partner with these internships to provide a stipend, but values sharing other opportunities with the community.

Internship with Congressman Banks

Congressman Banks is offering full-time and part-time internship opportunities for college students or recent graduates. The position allows students to work with congressional staff to support daily office functions, and all positions are unpaid. The program is a great opportunity for students seeking a deeper understanding of legislative branch of government.

Candidates must be highly motivated, self-starters, detail-oriented, and possess excellent communication skills. They also must demonstrate a strong work ethic, positive attitude, the ability to manage multiple tasks on a deadline, and a strong desire to learn about the legislative branch. Students interested in an internship position should send a resume, writing sample and cover letter to Russ Jehl at IN03.Internships@mail.house.gov.

Find more info here.

Questa invests in students pursuing post-secondary education, whether that be a degree, a certificate, or training through scholarships and low-interest forgivable loans. Learn more about Questa’s scholar programs and opportunities to invest in students by giving us a call at 260-407-6494 or by emailing Questa at info@questafoundation.org.

Congrats to Questa's Scholarship Recipients!

Questa is excited to announce the scholarship recipients for 2018!

Every year Questa Education Foundation offers several scholarships for current Questa Scholars and non-scholars in the Northeast Indiana community. These students have been chosen for excellence in their academic performance throughout their college career. Questa is proud to announce the scholarship recipients of the following scholarships:

• Virgil J. & Mildred C. Roy Scholarship
• Edward C. Dodez Scholarship
• Walter & Lucille Beckman Scholarship
• Gregory Hosler Wilson Scholarship
• Venette M. and Mabel M. Sites Scholarship

---

Roy Scholarship Recipients

This award is designated for nursing students who are pursuing a bachelors’ degree in nursing at either Purdue Fort Wayne, Indiana University Fort Wayne or the University of Saint Francis. The scholarship dollars help to support our local students by reducing their education costs. Questa congratulates the following scholars: 

University of Saint Francis Nursing Students:

• Breanna Hinshaw
• Morgan Smith
• Nicole Coleman

Purdue Fort Wayne & Indiana University Fort Wayne Nursing Students:

• Aubrey Brinneman
• Mariah Geels
• Amanda Holland
• Mary Podlaski
• Tarandeep Sran
• Kendra Amaya-Miranda
• Whitney Green
• Celina Jones
• Samantha Luick

---

Dodez Scholarship Recipients

The Edward C Dodez Scholarship assists Indiana students who are attending Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Four students from around the state of Indiana have received $5,000 to assist in the cost of their education at Dartmouth for the Fall 2018 semester.

Nathanael Boone - St. Joseph County, Sophomore, studying Engineering Sciences

Ethan Cook - Kosciusko County, Junior, studying Mathematics

Rachel Kent - Marion County, Sophomore, studying Geography

Katelyn Zeser - Elkhart County, Freshman, studying Government

---

Beckman Scholarship Recipients

These scholarship recipients are majoring in Education or Social Work and have been chosen for excellence in their college academic performance by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA or higher during college.

Questa would like to congratulate the following students:

Mary Greuter - attending Anderson University, graduated from Lakewood Park Christian School

Danielle Straits - attending Taylor University, graduated from Warsaw Community High School

Heather Stichter - attending Anderson University, graduated from Triton High School

---

Wilson Scholarship Recipients 

Recipients of the Wilson Scholarship have been chosen for excellence in their college academic performance by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA or higher during college. Each student will be receiving between $500 to $1,500 in a scholarship award. We also want to recognize the colleges they are attending and the high schools from which they graduated. 

Benjamin Bailey - attending Purdue Fort Wayne, graduate of Blackhawk Christian Jr/Sr High School

Cole Bechtold - attending Rose-Hulman, graduate of Whitko High School

Leia Edmondson - attending Rose-Hulman, graduate of Horizon Christian Academy

Creanna Johnson - attending Purdue University Lafayette, graduate of Canterbury High School

Andrew Mauch - attending Purdue Fort Wayne, graduate of Bishop Luers High School

---

Sites Scholarship Recipients

Questa Education Foundation recently awarded $117,000 through the Venette M and Mabel M Sites Scholarship to 73 Allen County public high school graduates.  These scholars received individual awards ranging from $500 - $2,500 for excellence in their college academic performance by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA during their college career. We are proud to announce the following students, and acknowledge the high school from which they graduated. Congratulations scholars!

Carroll: Connor Burgess, Sydney Ulrey, Anthony Ohneck, Logan Jester, Stone Miguel, Kelsiey Cicora, Madison Kilgus, Cassidy Forbing, Alexandra Harvey, Caleb DeLieto, Natalie Grose, Victoria Grose

East Allen University: Benjamin Sendo, Nicole Winans, Katherine Watson

Heritage: Branson Dossen, Kimberlie Kline, Veronica Hare, Rozlynn Everhart, Nicole Rothgeb

Homestead: Courtney McGrew, Rebekah Zvers, Lindley Kistler, Scott Creech, Luis Rodriguez Perez

Leo: Rebecca Kimball, Hannah Fowerbaugh, Jordan Eldridge, Rebecca Lessig, Morgan Sanderson, Mackenzie Joefreda, Eduardo Cruz, Ian Thompson, Logan Sagstetter

New Haven: Adam Hoffer, Anika Hoffer, Zachary Watson, Matthew Mensing,

North Side: Logan Ankney, Priscilla Baltazard, Isabelle Harrison, Soe San

Northrop: Joshua Mahon, Matthew Mast, Jailyn Krantz, Juan Gonzalez-Rangel, Caitline Southern, Kristen Borntreger, Lejla Hrustic

Snider: Mariah Thomas, Heidi Schneeman, Jennifer Peppler, Mmiranda Durnell, Maria Barrera, Naomi Vanderleest, Rylee Marks, Taylor Davis, Adam Veeley, Jacob Claycomb, Carly Geier, Catherine Birch

South Side: Katherine Sheppard, Kendra Shadle

Wayne: Jillian Findlay, Kyle Pessefall

Wayne New Tech: Sara Livengood, Alyssa Vance, Daymon Marlowe

Woodlan: Alyssa Garver, Rebekah Dignal, Loren Hahn, Paige Stutzman, Ashley Osborn

---

Congratulations to all of the hard working students who earned these scholarships! For more information on how you can apply for these scholarships, please visit the scholarship tab.

Job Searching

Job Searching: Tips, Resources and Encouragement from the Questa team

You just graduated college and it's time for the real world. No more classes or studying (breathe a sigh of relief), but now it's time to search for a job. Finding the right job that you're qualified for can be a taxing, stressful process. These are some tips from the Questa team to get through this time of searching. Read on and find job positions available in Northeast Indiana from Questa's partners and funders.

Tips & Tricks

1. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back. Often times it can take a month or two to hear back from a job you've applied for, or you don't hear back at all. Don't be discouraged! It's not because you aren't qualified or couldn't be a great fit for the company. Continue to apply at other companies.

2. Use your connections. Go down your list of Facebook and LinkedIn friends. Where do they work? They may know of a job opening in the company they work for, or could put in a good word for you. After all, "it's who you know."

4. Try another internship & do your research. If you are fresh out of college, you may not have the needed experience for your dream job. Ask yourself: what do I want to do? Do some research and find out what it would take to land that position and possibly apply for an internship to get more experience. This will add more valuable experience to your resume - plus a job might come from it!

5. You may not find your dream job right away - and that's ok! It takes time to find that right fit. Don't get too set on one thing. Now is the time to explore your options.

6. Don't rule it out. Before you choose whether a job is right for you or not just by looking at the title, dig a little deeper and see what it's all about. You may be more qualified than you think, and it might sound interesting.

“Network, network, network...
talk to your friends, friends of friends, parents’ friends, next door neighbors, your teachers, coaches and others who know you. Keep the network aware of your interests, status and motivation. It’s like dropping a stone in the lake and the ripples move out. They can touch the shore and bounce back or keep on drifting. The more ripples the more movement and potential impact.”

— Marc Levy, Questa's Executive Director

---

Not sure where to start looking?

Grab a cup of coffee, your updated resume, and your laptop and try searching for jobs at Questa's partner companies and organizations. These companies are dedicated to investing in and keeping talent in the Northeast Indiana area. They may be looking for someone like you! 

Auer Center for Arts and Culture | Arts United - searching for Education Specialists, Development Officers, and Event Associates!

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance - Even if you think insurance isn't your world, Brotherhood is not only searching for Underwriters and Program Analysts, but Web Designers & Developers!

Fort Wayne Metals

Steel Dynamics

Lake City Bank

Sweetwater Sound

Parkview Hospital - not just for nurses! Parkview also has IT, Communications/Marketing, and HR positions available. 

3Rivers Credit Union

Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.

---

Search for jobs within your county

Adams - Government and community jobs available

Allen - Opportunities in teaching, project management, nursing, and environmental health!

DeKalb - Internship opportunities with DeKalb County Probation, Program Facilitator for CHANGE Academy, and more

Huntington - Dispatcher & Jailer positions open

Kosciusko

LaGrange - Positions open include 911 Dispatcher, Deputy Assessor, and Jail Officer

Noble

Steuben- Environmental Health Specialist, Equipment Operator, Road Control, EMS Director, Paramedic

Wabash

Wells

Whitley

---

Look at Colleges

Finding employment at a college is a great transition from college life to a career, plus you already have great connections with faculty, advisers, and staff at the college you attended. Start looking at the current openings with Questa's partner schools in the Northeast Indiana area.

Indiana Tech

Indiana University Fort Wayne

Ivy Tech

Grace College

Huntington University

Manchester University

Purdue Fort Wayne

Trine University

University of Saint Francis

“Don’t give up! I applied for over 30 different jobs within Indiana and in other states. Not hearing back can be difficult (seriously - I felt like not hearing back was worse than a “no”), but it’s better to try than wish you had! Your efforts will pay off.”

— Hillary Troup, Questa's Scholar & Marketing Speciliast