Organizing a professional development day event like Career Conversations at Cristo Rey St. Martin takes a village. In this case, this “village” is made up of 100+ juniors and over 50 volunteers- including CRSM alums and business partners, who donated their time to speak with students, sharing insights into their careers and answering questions. These volunteers are instrumental in Career Conversations and other Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) events, such as the monthly Lunch & Learn sessions for juniors and seniors and the summer preparations for freshmen entering the work-study program. This particular evening reflects months of meticulous planning and preparation from the students and CWSP. Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated volunteers and students as well, the professional development day ran smoothly and successfully.
“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.