The Center for Career and Professional Development has launched two campus-wide workshops, designed to help work-study students see their roles as valuable training ground for future professional environments.
“Professionalism 101” is a crash course in showing up, standing out, and succeeding in a work-study role. Students learn to build professional habits that will serve them throughout college and beyond.
In “Mapping Your Work-Study Experience to Career Competencies,” students learn how to translate everyday work-study experiences into the career competencies employers seek and confidently showcase those skills on their resumes.
The competencies in the workshop are based on the eight core skills identified by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, including communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and professionalism. They help students identify, develop, and articulate the skills needed to succeed in the workplace and transition from college to career.
With support from Robert Forest, director of financial aid, the first workshop occurred in September to prepare students for their work-study jobs at the start of the semester. The second is scheduled for November 5 from 1-2 p.m. in McNichol Gallery.
Look for the workshops to be offered again in the spring.
“We believe every experience on campus can become a stepping stone toward career success,” explains Preeti Singh, director of the center and facilitator of both workshops. “We are excited to help our work-study students recognize, articulate, and maximize the value of their contributions.”
The federal work-study program funds part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for education expenses. The program usually covers up to 20 hours per week and encourages work related to the student’s course of study.
“Any experience that we can provide to prepare students for the real-world work environment is a good thing,” says Singh. “Our work-study students are in a contained, on-campus environment, but all of the rules of a real professional workplace apply. The workshops can provide valuable tips for them to use in an internship or a full-time job.”
Neumann has 217 students participating in the work-study program.