Mac's List

When you show up to events and communities you care about, genuine connections will follow.

On this week's episode of "Find Your Dream Job," Leah Payne, a career counselor at Portland State University Career Center, shares how to follow your interests and find your people.

Leah walks through strategies you can start using today by joining professional associations, using LinkedIn's alumni search filters, and asking your network for warm introductions.

Lead with curiosity, she says, not an agenda. The relationships you build today may not pay off for months, but they can make a difference down the road.

🎧 Listen today: https://ow.ly/U9ev50ZcTax

A long job search can feel like a rollercoaster — hopeful one week, frustrating the next.

When your applications stretch into the dozens, and interviews don’t lead to offers, it’s easy to feel discouraged. That’s where resilience comes in.

This blog post offers tips to help you stay grounded and focused throughout the ups and downs of a long job hunt.

Seven Resilience Tips for a Long-Term Job Search During a long job search, it’s essential to take steps to stay healthy and resilient. Here are seven tips to improve your resilience in a job search.

What does it look like to hit refresh on your career after a decade in the same industry?

For Alex Arding, it meant staying open to unexpected opportunities and leaning into his Portland network.

This led him to a role in guest services and security at Revolution Hall that aligned with his values and reignited his love of community.

Read his story here and get inspired for your own career: https://ow.ly/ireH50ZaJ2e

The Contingent is hiring a Software Engineer to build innovative tech that supports vulnerable kids, youth, and families in Portland.

In this role, you'll:

- Design and develop new products using JavaScript, React, and Tailwind
- Collaborate with a mission-driven engineering team on sprint planning and product development
- Maintain product documentation and ensure quality through testing and evaluation

Details:

💰 Salary: $90,000–$95,000/yr.
🕓 Full-time | Hybrid (2–3 days in office)
📍 Portland, OR
⏰ Core hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST

The Contingent believes technology can change outcomes for vulnerable children and families. If you do too, learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/y5Zh50Z8gc6

In today's highly competitive world, standing out means you need to sell your skills!

Showcasing your value, bragging about your accomplishments, and highlighting your triumphs are essential to getting noticed and hired.

Elizabeth Gross joins the "Find Your Dream Job" podcast this week to share how you can embrace this approach. 🎧

https://ow.ly/NtIm50Z8ral

Did you miss our May 7 event, "You’re Not Alone: Using Mentorship to Pivot, Progress, and Land Your Next Job?"

Today's bonus episode of "Find Your Dream Job" has the full recording.

Ed Johnson, Gina Riley, and Tia B. Coachman talk about what mentorship looks like, how to find it, and why it doesn't have to be some formal, intimidating relationship.

A former boss, a peer, or someone you meet at an event like ours can help guide you. Start building intentional relationships with people who can support your career.

🎙️ Listen to Bonus Episode 92: https://ow.ly/NtBm50Z8r3c

Columbia Riverkeeper is hiring a Development Director to lead fundraising strategy and help protect the Columbia River for generations to come.

In this role, you'll:

- Lead a development team across individual giving, grants, and events
- Cultivate and steward major donors and foundation relationships
- Drive the organization's annual development plan and emerging funding opportunities

Details:

💰 Salary: $105,000–$125,000/yr.
🕓 Full-time | 36-hour work week pilot starting July 2026
📍 Hood River (preferred) or Portland (hybrid)
📅 Application deadline: June 11, 2026

Columbia Riverkeeper unites communities to fight for clean water, abundant salmon, and climate action. If that mission moves you, learn more and apply here: https://ow.ly/jIz450Z6UAB

Walking into a room full of strangers is nerve-wracking for almost everyone.

But after three or four meetings, that anxiety often fades, and sometimes disappears.

On this week's "Find Your Dream Job," guest expert Cheryl Ferguson shares how to find the right professional group for you, ease into your first meeting, and make connections that can lead to referrals.

Show up consistently, share your knowledge, and enjoy yourself. You never know where an industry event or connection might lead.

🎧 Listen now: https://ow.ly/bHeC50Z7moA?

How to Make the Most of Your Professional Association, with Cheryl Ferguson Referrals matter in hiring, and professional associations are one of the best places to build them.

Mentorship doesn't have to be formal, hierarchical, or hard to find.

Last month's "You're Not Alone" event reminded us that mentors are just people: past bosses, fellow volunteers, or someone already in your community.

The challenge is getting clear on what you need and making a specific ask – not "can I pick your brain?" but a direct request that makes it easy for someone to say yes and invest in you.

If you missed the event, read our recap blog for more advice. The podcast episode of the event will drop on Monday, June 8.

You're Not Alone: What Local Leaders Want You to Know About Mentorship More than 120 job seekers, students, and community members gathered at the Ecotrust Building's Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center in Portland on Thursday, May 7, for a conversation about one of the most important aspects of the job search: mentorship.