[IN-PERSON] Monday Job Seekers Connection: Confident Conversations: Preparing for Meaningful Connection

Start your week with a community of other job seekers who support, encourage, motivate, and learn from each other through their job searches. Job Seekers Connection energizes and inspires participants by sharing valuable strategies and techniques from professional career coaches, recruiters, and Human Resources representatives.

This week's presenter: Erica Mattison

Topic: Confident Conversations: Preparing for Meaningful Connection

Feeling nervous about networking is common, whether you are starting out, seeking your next opportunity, or bringing substantial experience and reintroducing yourself in a changing professional landscape. This interactive workshop helps participants move beyond the pressure to “sell themselves” and approach conversations in a way that feels more natural, genuine, and even enjoyable. With a focus on curiosity, connection, and practical preparation, the session will help job seekers build confidence for outreach, networking events, and career conversations while recognizing that meaningful connection matters far beyond the job search itself. Participants will leave with tools they can use right away and a more grounded, human way to connect.

About the presenter:

Erica Mattison, MPA, JD, is an Executive Coach, facilitator, and Founder of Erica Mattison Coaching & Consulting LLC. Through her coaching and workshops, she supports professionals in clarifying direction, recognizing their strengths, and moving forward with greater confidence in their careers and leadership. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, an Everything DiSC® Certified Practitioner, a Certified Career Services Provider through the National Career Development Association, and a Master Certified Life Coach. She is also the author of Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career and host of the Conversations with Erica podcast.

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Advance registration is preferred for all Ed Portal programs and events. Walk-in attendees may not be admitted.

Parking is limited around the Ed Portal so we recommend taking public transportation.

Public transportation options:

We are about a 15-20 minute walk from the Red Line Harvard Square station or Green Line -B Harvard Avenue station.

Several MBTA buses also stop near the intersection of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue: #66, #86, #70.

Parking information:

If you choose to drive to the Ed Portal please be prepared to utilize the two-hour on-street parking surrounding the Ed Portal or to park at Artesani Park and walk 10-12 minutes along Western Avenue to arrive at the Ed Portal. A limited number of parking spaces are available in the rear of the Ed Portal building on a first come, first serve basis. You may only use parking spaces in the rear of the Ed Portal building outlined in orange paint.

To help protect visitors and staff, members of the public are asked to stay home if they are unwell or have experienced signs of illness* in the past 24-hours.

If you require an accommodation for a disability, please call the Ed Portal ahead of time at 617-496-5022 or e-mail us at edportal@harvard.edu, and we will do our best to assist you.

* Signs of illness include: fever, chills or feeling feverish; a new cough (not related to chronic condition); new fatigue; muscle or body aches; sore throat; new nasal congestion or new runny nose (not related to seasonal allergies); nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.