Introvert Insights - We Speak for the Introverts - Testimonials from Past Seminar Participants

Testimonials

The feedback we've gotten from past seminar participants has been unbelievably gratifying. It tends to have a why-hasn't-anyone-talked-about-this-introvert-stuff-before sort of vibe to it—which tells us we're on to something special.

Here's just a sampling of what we've heard.

Peter Vogt and Pamela Braun
Co-Founders
Introvert Insights

"As a 25-year veteran in education as a teacher and counselor in settings from uptown urban to boondocks rural, I go to conferences pretty much challenging them to teach me something I haven't heard or dealt with a thousand times before. ... Your program, however, was a breath of fresh air, giving me new insights on dealing with those introverted kids. I think back to how many of them I've cooked, waiting for them to answer a question after I've called on them because they never raise their hands. I was so impressed by your program that I took your handouts along with my notes and presented your material to my staff at our last staff development day. Today, I used some of your suggestions while dealing with an introverted student who suffers from severe Asperger's Syndrome. I now know why he goes off by himself and eats alone. It's not that there is something wrong with him ... he just needs to 'recharge'! I have been making phone calls for kids who are seeking part-time employment, instead of patronizingly telling them, 'You just need to learn to do that for yourself!' Bravo to you for your presentation! It is one of those golden sessions that gives us practical and useful information that we can directly apply to our individual situations. Please continue with it. And after each presentation, take some alone time or a nap—maybe both—and recharge so you can do it again!"

Scot Collins
Guidance Counselor
Carroll Junior-Senior High School
Flora, Indiana

"When I first heard this workshop, my immediate thought was 'this makes so much sense.' Yet, as practitioners, we generally approach the job search in a way that is most comfortable for extroverts and then wonder why some of our students don't follow our instruction. The workshop's emphasis on using introverts' strengths to help them be successful at networking was refreshing and wise. As an introvert myself, this workshop completely resonated with my experience, and there were many specific tools and suggestions offered that I now incorporate into my work in career services."

Anita Yoder
Director of Career Services
Goshen College
Goshen, Indiana

"This very competitive job market and tough economy can easily discourage a job seeker. The interview process is a particularly taxing one for introverts, as you know. Learning strategies for conserving energy and the increasing importance and acceptability of e-mail in the job search gave folks confidence and a renewed will to keep at it. It jump started their job search! Thank you so much."

Marguerite Kirchhoff
Program Planner
Minnesota Workforce Centers of Dakota & Scott Counties
West St. Paul, Minnesota

"Your session was extremely insightful and helpful in our work. Furthermore, you were successful in debunking many introversion myths. ... Our membership as a whole gained new tools and techniques, and some even gained a new perspective. Our field needs professionals like you to pave the way!"

Kim Swanson
Program Committee Co-Chair for 2003
Minnesota College and University Career Services Association

"This was truly one of the most helpful seminars I've attended. The information opened my eyes to the challenge introverts may have when facing a job search. You also gave great information on how to work with our introverted clients to allow them to succeed in the extroverted job search process. It's tough being an introvert in an extroverted world, and I appreciated hearing what the difficulties are for introverts—and, most importantly, how to help them most effectively strategize the job search process in a situation that really favors the extrovert."

Susan Holm
Director, McNair Scholars Program
University of Wisconsin-Superior

"As an introvert raised by two strong extroverts, it was wonderful for me to go to the Job Search Success for (Complete) Introverts workshop and get practical strategies that make sense, both for me and the students I see. As a university counselor and instructor for many years, it is very reaffirming for me to hear confirmation that the strategies I've personally used and encourage students to use are natural for introverts. Now I know why they appeal to me, but more meaningfully, I will make sure to point out in my counseling and teaching which tips work better for introverts and which for extroverts, so that all of my students feel included and affirmed. I wish there had been a workshop like this one when I was graduating."

Gail Fox
Assistant Director of Career Services
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

"I'm an extroverted career counselor, and your presentation taught me how intimidating the traditional ways of networking are to my introverted clients and how to take the fear out of the process for them. This presentation is top notch—one of the best professional development opportunities I have had the pleasure of attending."

Kathy Pykkonen
Professional Skills Coordinator
Office of Career Services
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

"Thanks for presenting your talk today. It really meant a lot to me because of my introverted personality. Sounds like you have found a huge niche in the job hunting market—and a valuable one indeed. ... Your talk was a big help, and I will be using some of the resources and techniques you have described. Hope you will do more of this in the future. We need your services a lot."

Wilbur Orson
Job Seeker
Minneapolis, Minnesota

"This workshop provided great tips on how to view networking through the eyes of an introvert. As someone who tends toward extraversion, I enthusiastically share the value of networking with my students and had a hard time understanding why some would avoid (what I thought were) great networking opportunities. I found the tips that were provided on what words to use (and avoid) when explaining networking concepts and different venues that would play on the strengths of introverts to be very helpful. I have applied the information to my career development class!"

Jill Wesley
Director of Career Services, Distance Education
Indiana Business College
Indianapolis, Indiana

"Being a career counselor for adult career changers at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin-Barron County for the last six years, I use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator a lot to assist these individuals. I am encouraging 'helpers' out there to attend a presentation by Introvert Insights. It thoroughly reinforced my counseling knowledge to know that I am helping individuals that struggle with understanding themselves. Educate yourself more in-depth about those that get their energy internally. Great workshop!"

James Dzimiela
Outreach Counselor
University of Wisconsin-Barron County (Rice Lake)

"Peter Vogt and Pam Braun did an excellent job presenting the case of the introvert in the job hunt process. While much of the literature available on job hunting is geared toward the extrovert, little if anything is mentioned regarding those who, by nature or by choice, are introverted. Peter and Pam have extensively researched introversion and how it can impact the unprepared job seeker. The tips and techniques suggested and recommended for intorverted job seekers are excellent and make the workshop truly worthwhile."

Tom Swoboda
Career Counselor
Job Service-Dane County
Madison, Wisconsin

"What I really enjoyed about your presentation was highlighting the strengths and gifts that we special introverts have! Our world seems to reward the extroverts, or at least, the image we see all around us is that you have to be outward-energy-focused to be successful. For so long, I've known intuitively—and have even been complimented on—the gifts I bring to this world as an introvert. Things like focus, thinking things through thoroughly before acting/speaking, being introspective, being able to spend long periods of time working on a problem ... stick-to-it-ness, basically. For whatever reason, though, I've often asked myself over my 40+ years, 'Why can't I be like that?' (i.e., an extrovert).

After hearing—and seeing—this presentation, though, I learned and was validated by the real gifts I bring to the world. I now feel, 'It's always OK to be me! I don't need to push it or fake it anymore in situations where I might feel inclined to be other than me. By being me—a full-blown introvert—I'll also be able to manage my energy, one of the key points of your presentation. I also brought the key learnings home from the presentation and this opened up a very interesting dialogue between my husband (an extrovert) and me. We now have a better understanding of each other—and he better understands why I feel and am the way I am (something that took 10+ years of marriage to do)!

So ... thank you! Please share your message with the world!"

Beth Lory
Lead Employer Relations Coordinator
College of Liberal Arts
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

"The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply."

~ Kahlil Gibran
Lebanese novelist and poet