Sunshine-loving Stacey Hanlon works for your success

Editor’s note: Twice each week, The Press shines a light on the life of interesting locals active in the community. Up today: Stacey Hanlon

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

Meet Stacey Hanlon, a senior workforce consultant for the Idaho Department of Labor.

Generation: I am definitely a founding member of Gen X. I grew up watching MTV in its infancy and wearing the tragic fashions of the ’80s.

Career and community involvement: I do a lot of community activity through work. My favorite project is the Post Falls High School Reverse Job Fair. As the volunteer coordinator, I gather 150 professionals to interview about 200 graduating seniors. Most recently, I worked with a fantastic group of professionals to put together the Discovery Job Fair, which focused on hiring people with disabilities.

Parental status: I’m the proud mother of a 24-year-old daughter, who is naturally the sunshine in my life. She is the spit’n image of me, which I think gets a little tiring for her to hear how much we look alike. She’s a great gym partner and hiking buddy.

1. What are the details of being a workforce consultant? I assist people in becoming more successful job seekers and work with employers to find great employees. I also plan and coordinate our monthly hiring events and quarterly employer meetings.

2. Is your job affected by the super low unemployment rate, and if so, how? Yes. We’ve seen a big change in our office. We see far fewer job seekers and many of those who do come in need more intensive services to be job ready. We receive far more requests from employers to help them find qualified workers.

3. What is the most rewarding thing about helping someone find a job? To know I’ve helped them move toward stability and independence. During the recession, I was unemployed for a total of 18 months. I’ve struggled like so many have and know how liberating a good job can be. But it doesn’t come without hard work on their part.

4. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I have an overabundance of trivial factoids in my head due to my fondness for documentaries. It does come in handy on Wednesday nights when I play trivia at the Moose.

5. What motivates you to get up and greet the day? Sunshine. I love to be outside when the weather is nice. I’ve made a commitment to take a hike every weekend from May to September. I’ve also been cycling every chance I can on my new road bike.

•••

Contact Devin: dweeks@cdapress.com