Accelerate Program News:
ESPANOLA – On Feb. 8, students earning 2-year business and technical degrees in six northern New Mexico colleges will have an opportunity to practice using skills vital to finding a job, contributing to an organization, and establishing a career.
The Accelerate program is partnering with local and regional human resource directors and hiring managers to host a one day workshop for graduating students entitled “From Classroom to Career – A Dress Rehearsal.”
Accelerate, a program of the Regional Development Corporation in conjunction with six northern New Mexico institutions of higher education, focuses on transitional workers with retraining needs and nontraditional studentsenrolled in technical certificate and 2-year degree programs.
The program offers an innovative approach to increase technical degree completion, professional readiness, and job placement.
Accelerate’s Career Technical Advisors (CTAs) serve as advisors and coaches throughout the academic year to help students navigate through any issue that might affect their school work.
They also teach monthly professional readiness classes. “From Classroom to Career” is the culmination of these classes, providing students with a dress rehearsal where they will receive constructive feedback on their cover letter, resume, and professional attire and practice their networking and interviewing skills
According to Christy Dammen, career technical advisor at Northern New Mexico College, “Good grades and technical knowledge are critical for graduating students. However, professional readiness skills are key to getting a job. We want Accelerate students to know how to write a resume that gets noticed, be able to successfully communicate with hiring managers, and to understand how to contribute to an organization after they get the job. “
Representatives from 15 regional companies and organizations will volunteer their time to work with students in small group settings on resumes, elevator speeches, and mock interviews.
Christeanne Goodey, senior human resource technician at Los Alamos County, is pleased to participate again this year. “The experience was wonderful last year. I enjoyed helping students practice the skills that are important in their search for employment. All the students were well-informed and seemed to benefit from the feedback that was provided,“ Goodey said.
“From Classroom to Career – A Dress Rehearsal” will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb .8, at the Ohkay Owingeh Conference Center.
Human resource and hiring managers interested in participating should e-mail Accelerate Program Manager Carla Rachkowski at carla@rdcnm.org.
