From Chapter Leader to Young Professional Supporting student transition from college to career Rachael Candee, MPA Manager, Skills-based Volunteer & HoosierCorps United Way of Central Indiana

Introductions Name Volunteer position What is one thing you hope to gain from our discussion today?

What are the most important competencies/skills members learn while in college? Time management Governance/leadership Planning and implementing Communication and problem solving Civic mindedness Goal-setting and visioning

How do you currently advise students to share this information? What do you think they should include on resumes? Applications? What about a cover letter? How to talk about experiences in interviews? What support resources do students use on your campus or in your community?

Members vs officers What types of things can a general member talk about on his/her resume? What would be different about a member who served as an officer?

Example: member Ongoing service projects –Weekly tutoring or “adopt- a-grandparent” monthly visit Special event service projects –Holiday baskets, Thanksgiving meal service One-time service events –Community clean-up, annual campus events

Example: member Even more important to highlight –Ability to work on a team –Opportunity to work with diverse group –Accountability to complete required tasks/service hours –Time management, decision-making and conflict resolution –Critical thinking! –Awards, recognition, achievements

Example: Vice President of Finance/Treasurer Coordinates collection of officer budgets Evaluates/assesses chapter financial need Leads chapter through budgeting process and approval Advises officers and members on chapter or committee financial guidelines

Example: Service committee member Collaborates with committee members to develop service calendar Plans service events (ongoing, one-time, etc.) Communicates with chapter members, creates marketing tools for and recruits individuals to attend activities Reports service results to chapter and leaders

Where are the biggest challenges? Students do not see their chapter participation as a professional development opportunity Students do not closely align personal development with professional outcomes Prospective employers do not understand chapters or their activities

Bridging the knowledge gap Activities to complete with students Activities to provide to students Campus resources– don’t recreate the wheel! Community resources—who can they seek for additional support?

Activity to complete with students

Activity to provide to students

What else do you see as your role? The chapter’s role? Chapter members can use each other as resources –Events for members to practice interviews, networking How useful could their alumni network be? –Would chapter or local alumni want to network, mentor, or provide other support to members? Determine what works for you, your students and on your campus

Other coaching tips and tricks Being a role model of professionalism Listening and understanding students needs Preparing students for the world of work Encourage chapters to take on skilled projects, ongoing projects or one-on-one projects that develop their professional skills

What is one skill/competency that you possess that has been valuable in your career? How can you demonstrate this skill? How can you talk about this skill? How can you teach this skill? How can your students practice this skill?

Other challenges I am not very familiar with the job search process How might this be different for non-traditional students? What role might this play in graduate school applications? What if a student that I do not know wants me to serve as a reference?

Questions? Contact: Rachael Candee,

Thank you!