As she has for many years, BGS Attorney Carole Clark Isakson recently spent a morning at Osseo Senior High School conducting mock interviews with students. This year nearly FIVE HUNDRED students will participate in mock interviews, which are well designed to give each student a taste of what a real job interview is like. “It is an activity I really enjoy”, said Isakson, “and I know it has tremendous value for the students, many of whom have never interviewed for a job.” Students are randomly assigned to one of the many interviewers, and are evaluated on everything from their responses to questions, to their posture. The interviewers are provided a range of questions that employers may ask, including those general “tell me about yourself” and “what has been your biggest challenge” questions that can temporarily stump even the most practiced adult. Working with students on how to answer those questions in a way that tells a potential employer something good about the student is one of the jobs of the interviewer, but not the only job! Resumes are reviewed and edited, and questions are answered. And while an interviewer works on content, he or she also works with the students on appearance and posture. Most students are aware that eye contact is…
Read MoreA Tradition of Service Since 1938: Barna, Guzy & Steffen Ltd. Celebrates 80 Years of Legal Service Barna, Guzy and Steffen, Ltd (BGS) is a full service law firm providing clients with the personal and professional services they deserve since 1938. The firm was founded by the late Honorable Joseph E. Wargo. Wargo graduated from University of Minnesota Law School in 1938 and he opened his law office in Columbia Heights, where he was raised. Wargo left his office and took a tour of duty with the Navy for World War II. He was later joined by Peter Barna (1953) and Robert Guzy (1958). They moved their combined practice into a remodeled grocery store building in Columbia Heights where they practiced for many years. They merged with Merrill, Hynes and Giancola for a time becoming Barna, Guzy, Merrill, Hynes and Giancola after Wargo left to become a district judge. The firm moved to Coon Rapids in 1991 after a merger with Anoka firm Steffen Munstentieger. Coon Rapids was chosen as a central location between Anoka and Columbia Heights, with the benefit of being close to major highways and the courthouse in Anoka. Over the years, the firm has had mergers, moved, and grown into what is now a 30-attorney law firm serving a…
Read MoreBGS Attorney Dave Schaps presented the Roseville Area Optimist Club’s inaugural “Optimist of the Year” award to Club President Don Salverda at the November 3rd Club meeting. Salverda is a former Ramsey County Commissioner from the Roseville Area and President of Don Salverda and Associates, a personal and professional leadership consulting firm. Both Dave and Don are founding members of the Roseville Area Optimist Club, and worked to charter the organization in January. The purpose of the club is to be a friend of local area kids by promoting activities that bring out the best in ourselves, the community and in our youth. The 10 member Optimist Club board, of which Dave serves as the Club Secretary, unanimously agreed that Salverda should receive the first award due to his great work in building the Club to almost 70 members in eleven short months. This accomplishment was truly a feat warranting recognition. The Club meets for a networking lunch and to hear a speaker on the second Friday of every month at the Roseville Radisson. There are over 1500 Optimist Clubs world wide and 23 in Minnesota. The Roseville Club is made up of a number of people including leaders in business, local government and local non-profit groups. For questions about this article or…
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