Students@Work Program Guidelines


Students @ Work


General Supervisor Guidelines
  • The goal of the Students @ Work program is for supervisors to have one documented conversation per student employee using the Conversation Questionnaire.  ALL undergraduate students are eligible to participate.

  • Recognizing workplace demands, supervisors should consider a manageable number of students to engage in conversations each semester (1-5 suggested).  Conversations may take approximately 15 minutes with an additional 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire and forward the results to the Career Services Center.

  • To participate, supervisors may attend a one-hour training session, as available, or meet with a Career Services staff member for a program overview.

Using the Conversation Questionnaire
  • Both the completion of the Conversation Questionnaire by the students, and the conversation meetings with the supervisor, should be held during the students' scheduled (paid) work hours. 

  • Prepare for the conversation by inviting the student to participate.  Provide the student with the questionnaire and schedule a follow up time to meet.  Suggested script:

    "Kent State, and I as your supervisor, are interested in understanding more about how the skills you are learning at work can help support your success in the classroom and help you prepare for your future career.  Please take some time to complete the questionnaire and then let's schedule a time in the next week or two to discuss your thoughts and look at ways we can further enhance your success.
  • Meet with the student to review the questionnaire, provide feedback, and discuss next steps for supporting success.

  • Provide additional comments and forward the questionnaire to Career Services prior to finals week each semester.

    • Suggestions to Make the Most of Your Conversations


    If student needs help with ...
    Suggestions

    Identifying skills learned or improved

     "Based on your position in our department, students are typically able to learn/develop the following skills (list)…."   

    "Are there other skills that come easily to you that you may not be using in your campus job?"  (i.e. skills tied to hobbies, personal interests, classroom work, former jobs, etc.)

     Ideas for skills improvement

    On the job:  Provide suggestions, and new tasks, as appropriate.   

    Include learning outcomes in job postings, position descriptions, and orientation/training sessions. What should students know and be able to do after working in your office?

    Outside the job:  Explore options for developing skills through campus/professional organizations, internships, volunteering, etc.

    Connecting campus job with skills/career

    Meet with a Career Counselor

    Use your experience as a supervisor to suggest ways in which other students have made connections between the job and major/career (i.e. benefits of student employment, alumni success stories, etc.).

    Choosing a major/career

    		Meet with a Career Counselor by-appointment or during drop-in hours,

    Creating a resume/cover letter

    		Meet with a Career Counselor and review  Resumes & Letters.

    Improving business etiquette

    		Meet with a Career Counselor and review Professional Image.

    Preparing for an internship, professional job search, or admission to graduate school

    		Meet with a Career Counselor and review Internship Prep, Job & Internship Search, and Graduate School Prep.

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