Review helps make local employment picture a little brighter

With the spate of recent plant closures and resulting job losses in the past few months, it's not hard to feel that the employment situation in the area is pretty bleak.
However, with small businesses like The Review taking steps to create new positions, it's an uplifting sign that things aren't always as bad as they seem.
Thanks to the launch of its newest project, Reviewbizlist, the local newspaper was able to create two new short-term intern positions.
Publisher Louise Sproule said the newspaper received funding from the Prescott-Russell Community Development Corporation to hire two interns who have been assigned the task of contacting local businesses, organizations, service clubs and schools to encourage them to subscribe to the service. (For more information on the Reviewbizlist project, please watch for a related story next week).
"I am very pleased to have received the funding to create these two positions," Sproule commented. "I think it's a positive thing to see small businesses like The Review creating jobs in such tough economic times. It shows that, although times are tough, there are jobs and opportunities out there."
Véronique Portelance was hired as one of the two interns and noted she had been out of work for about a month when she received a call from DFL International, a Hawkesbury-based practice firm, telling her about the job.
"I had worked at DFL for a while and even when I moved on, I always kept in contact with the people there," she explained. "I got a call from a woman I knew there telling me about this opportunity. I was excited and thought I'd give it a try."
Portelance came in for an interview and was hired on the spot.
The sales position was "totally new" to the young woman but she was willing to try something different after having worked in the federal government for a number of years.
Portelance is also a graduate of the computer sciences program at La Cité Collegiale.
"I was nervous because I've never done sales before, but I was eager to try something new," she commented. "The more calls I make, the more confident I get."
When asked what she had learned in her short time at The Review thus far, Portelance said she has learned a lot about time management and customer service.
"I've really learned a lot," she stated. "The people here are very helpful and encouraging. It's an ongoing learning experience - I learn something new every day.
"And (this job) has helped me with my confidence. Every time I make a sale, I get so excited and it motivates me to keep doing better. I feel like I'm on fire!"
Michelle Sauvé said she sort of "stumbled upon" the job and was glad because she was looking for something to help supplement her income as a waitress.
"I'm trying to save up my money because I would like to go to school next September," she explained.
Sauvé currently has her veterinary assistant diploma and would like to go back to school to study either as a veterinary technician or in the field of community justice.
"I never thought I would be doing something sales-related because I have never done anything like this before," she commented.
"I am used to dealing with customers; I work in a restaurant, so that's part of the job. But sales are something totally new and I really enjoy it."
Sproule said she is hoping that at least one of the positions will become a full-time one.
"It's great to be able to offer this opportunity to these two young ladies," she said. "I think both of them are learning a lot and really benefiting from this experience."