Eagle Staff Writer

When problems in the economy result in the downsizing of companies and the loss of jobs, longtime employees often must find new careers.

But for many of these displaced workers, the art of writing a resume and the experience of job interviews have been long forgotten.

In Butler County, displaced workers have a place to hone these skills and learn about new options for employment.

The Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network began in 1992 in the Pittsburgh area and now has six chapters.

Serving the Butler area since 2003, it gives its members the opportunity to learn how to find a job and network with other professionals.

Gene Follsteadt, 56, of Butler Township, has been active in the Butler chapter since its inception.

Downsized from his job as a project director in April 2003, Follsteadt heard about the group through the Pennsylvania CareerLink office.

"I was never unemployed before. I didn't even have a resume. I never had a resume in my life," remembered Follsteadt.

Attending the PAPEN meetings and eventually becoming director of the Butler chapter, Follsteadt had the opportunity to meet several people in similar situations and listen to weekly speakers with advice on finding new employment.

The meetings, held at 6 p.m. Monday evenings at the Butler County CareerLink office, include a social discussion, guest speaker and a time to share job leads.

Speakers range from human resource professionals discussing keys to successful interviewing, to professionals with a psychology background, encouraging members to keep a positive attitude throughout their job search.

After 19 months of unemployment, Follsteadt recently accepted a position in customer service at Minteq International in Slippery Rock.

Though his new job has made it difficult to continue as a PAPEN director, Follsteadt hopes to continue attending meetings for the benefit of networking and hearing speakers.

Like Follsteadt, Debra Jones of Sarver had lost her job in marketing due to downsizing.

After about four months of unemployment, Jones heard about PAPEN and attended her first meeting.

"It was very warm, and I thought, 'This just might work,'" she said of her first meeting.

After several months of active membership, Jones became the assistant director of the chapter, helping to organize meetings and track membership and attendance.

Jones eventually found a job as a program monitor with the Tri-County Workforce's flood cleanup project.

Though she is now employed, Jones still remains active in the group, hoping to help others through networking.

"This community needs to understand that there are professional people here (in Butler County) … that they don't have to be brought in from outside the region," said Jones.

At age 50, John Savage recently decided to leave his job as an airline pilot to become a business owner.

Though his career change was not the result of unemployment, Savage found that PAPEN was a great opportunity to network and learn how best to begin his own business.

"I just showed up one night," said Savage. "Someone told me that PAPEN was a group of unemployed individuals and people seeking a career change.

Through the weekly meetings, Savage was able to hear from entrepreneurs and franchise professionals, gaining valuable knowledge as he opened his own furniture repair business.

"The speakers were helping me think about what's out there and comparing myself to others' qualifications."

Savage now serves as the program director for the chapter, seeking speakers for the weekly meetings.

According to Follsteadt, members pay a $10, one-time membership fee, which provides them with access to meetings and e-mail updates as to speakers and job leads.

"People make contacts they don't even realize," said Jones, emphasizing the value in sharing experiences and job leads.

For information about the group, including meeting times and locations for all six chapters, visit www.papen.us.