It takes a village to put on an event like Career Conversations at Cristo Rey St. Martin. The evening reflects months of meticulous planning and preparation from the students and Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated volunteers and students as well, the event ran smoothly and successfully. Special acknowledgment goes to Celia Cambray of the Corporate Work Study Department, who coordinated every aspect, from student training sessions to the event day itself.
“The work-study program divided and conquered the pre-event presentations, hosting a total of three sessions prior to the event,” Cambray explained.
The event ran for two and a half hours, with students participating in four 30-minute sessions. Over 50 volunteers, including CRSM alums and business partners, donated their time to speak with students, sharing insights into their careers and answering questions. These volunteers are instrumental not only in Career Conversations but also in other CWSP events, such as the monthly Lunch & Learn sessions for juniors and seniors and the summer preparations for freshmen entering the work-study program.
“The students asked great, focused questions about burnout, ethics, and what makes a job worth it. They were overall well-prepared and engaging to speak with,” said Adam Rosenbloom, Assistant US Attorney at the US Attorney’s Office in Chicago.
The impact on the students was evident. CRSM junior Brian T. remarked, “The sessions helped get us prepared for what we want to do in the future. I want to become a lawyer, and after talking to the Law/Government field representatives here, I know this is my career.”
There were 14 career fields represented at Career Conversations, ranging from entrepreneurship to information technology, each with two to three representatives speaking to the juniors. Lola Sheltens, Human Resources Director at A Safe Place, shared her positive experience: “The conversations with the students were refreshing because I got to see how hopeful they were about the future. The students were also very well-prepared with questions.”
Thanks to the early exposure provided by Career Conversations and other CWSP events, CRSM students gain valuable insights into the working world, which is essential for their professional development. Cristo Rey schools are unique in offering this kind of hands-on experience, and the support of dedicated volunteers ensures that students are well-equipped for future success.