海角乱伦社区

When the pandemic began, our first plan of action was to survey our 2,000 College Scholars about their needs. The top requested supports regarding their careers were around job search, managing finances, and overall adjustment.聽When asked to describe how they feel about the job search process, Scholars shared the following words, 鈥渂ehind, stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated,鈥� and more.

鈥淚nitially,聽I thought I had more time to secure a job聽and was looking at the east-coast market. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak my priorities have changed.鈥�

The survey results also revealed how Scholars are聽coping with the impacts of being unexpectedly uprooted from their campuses and the challenges they are facing while completing their academic year online.聽While the impact of COVID-19-related college and university closures have impacted all students,聽we have seen聽a disproportionate impact on low-income, first-generation students, and students of color.聽Our Scholars聽are also feeling anxiety as their summer internships have either been canceled or transitioned to virtual platforms.聽As one Scholar wrote to us,聽鈥渋nitially,聽I thought I had more time to secure a job聽and was looking at the east-coast market. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak my priorities have changed.鈥�

Based on Scholars鈥� needs, we developed聽a series of webinars related to career and leadership amidst COVID-19.聽Planned webinar topics include searching for a job during uncertain times, virtual interviewing, leveraging strengths and competencies, and bi-weekly coaching sessions. We are also creating and sharing career development tips and resources weekly. You can view the first webinar, 鈥淛ob Search Strategies in Uncertain Times鈥� on our .

鈥淒ue to COVID-19, my summer plans were cancelled recently, but I鈥檓 hopeful to now be able to use the summer to explore more in terms of my career,鈥� one Scholar wrote. 鈥淚鈥檓 taking this time to find experiences that would allow me to explore new fields that I’m interested in.鈥�

Despite these challenges, we continue to encourage our Scholars to apply for professional opportunities that will set them on a trajectory to career success and happiness.聽Many of our Scholars are staying positive and focusing on best ways to use this time to grow professionally, 鈥渄ue to COVID-19, my summer plans were cancelled recently, but I鈥檓 hopeful to now be able to use the summer to explore more in terms of my career,鈥� one Scholar wrote. 鈥淚鈥檓 taking this time to find experiences that would allow me to explore new fields that I’m interested in.鈥�

Summer聽offers聽the opportunity聽for Scholars聽to聽complete meaningful聽internships.聽For聽many of聽our college graduating聽seniors,聽this time typically marks the聽beginning聽of their聽careers.聽Internships as well as聽your first job after graduation聽are crucial experiences that can influence career pathways.聽Beyond gaining the hard skills聽and industry specific experiences;聽internships聽are also opportunities for students to grow their networks and find mentors who can offer life-long career guidance and support. Especially for low-income, first-generation students, these internships provide a critical pathway to upward mobility and financial security that supports their growth as leaders in their communities.

A聽virtual internship or remote role may be the best option聽for our college students聽right now.聽According to the National聽Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 36%聽of companies have transitioned their internships virtually, and 34% have聽implemented聽a delayed start date.聽Virtual internships聽allow for adaptability for student聽schedules聽and serve as a great option for聽valuable experience. Although they require a bit more聽intentional聽planning聽and structured聽communication,聽they are an important option to consider聽during this time.聽海角乱伦社区 is happy to work collaboratively with your company or organization to design a meaningful and quality virtual experience. We are happy to share best practices and offer support along the way.

There are so many other ways聽to聽show your support for Chicago鈥檚 young聽leaders:

• We are looking for career partners to host our Scholars for summer internships and cultivate talent that will constitute our future’s workforce and leadership.聽Learn more about partnering with us.

• Consider hiring a Scholar for a part time role or micro-internship. Relevant work can help young people gain valuable experiences and build their skill sets.

• 海角乱伦社区 has many ways for your employees to engage and support talented young leaders. If you would like to directly support and聽empower Scholars as they prepare for the hiring process and position themselves for future opportunities, please contact Sasha Pena.

• Help our Scholars achieve their dreams by .

If you are interested in any of the opportunities above email us a聽teamlead@chicagoscholars.org.

Through intentional collaboration,聽we can work together聽to聽support our聽young聽diverse聽talent聽during this unprecedented聽time.

Sasha Pena currently serves as the Director of Career and Leadership Development at 海角乱伦社区,聽where聽she oversees聽key career programming聽that help Scholars explore careers, develop as leaders, and expand their networks.聽Sasha is eager to eliminate systemic barriers for under-served students through her use of her strengths as a connector, resource manager, and program developer.聽She is a Latino Policy Forum Multicultural Leadership Academy Fellow (2019) and a current Surge Institute Fellow.聽She is a proud聽Chicagoan聽and Chicago Public Schools Graduate.聽