A WOOSTER ALUM WANTS TO HELP SENIORS ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

Alumni Engagement

By MAX LEISTEN

Alumni engagement is vital for building a strong college community, as it allows graduates to share insights and guide current students through mentorship and networking. Engaged alumni often support their alma maters, enhancing resources and reputation.

Trust in colleges to facilitate these connections is crucial. When institutions prioritize alumni initiatives, they demonstrate commitment to graduates’ success, encouraging them to seek guidance and use available resources. This connection fosters lasting relationships and strengthens the alumni network, creating a supportive environment for career development.

This connection between alumni and current students was nicely highlighted when a College of Wooster alum, now the Associate Director of Career Planning, asked fellow alumni for advice to share with seniors finishing their student teaching. This exchange shows just how valuable alumni insights can be.

Keep it simple!

Max

The "ask"

Hello! I am a 2009 College of Wooster alum and Associate Director of Career Planning at Wooster.

I will be meeting with a group of Wooster seniors who are currently completing their student teaching before entering the workforce to look for employment as teachers. If you are a principal, superintendent, or teacher, what advice would you give to new teaching professionals as they finalize resumes and prepare for interviews? If you help to hire teachers, what is the best way that applicants can catch your attention or to move along in the hiring process?

Thanks for your help! I’m hoping to share your response with the students so they can benefit from your advice and so that they can see the value in reaching out to alumni for career advice. Thank you!

The "give" (1 of 3)

I mainly work with administrators now, but as a former middle and high school principal, the number one thing I looked for is spelling. Maybe it was because I was an English teacher, but it was an easy way to eliminate folks from a large stack of resumes. Don’t spell principal wrong, and don’t spell my name wrong.

You can find anything on the internet; take the time to get it right. Follow the steps outlined on the job posting. If it says send a resume and cover letter to an HR person, do that. Don’t send it to the superintendent. We are also looking at whether or not you can follow directions. It can eliminate you.

If the school system has an online application process, be sure to do ALL parts. If you don’t, they often will never see your resume.

Finally, I would say that in a smaller district, you can get noticed by showing up and handing your resume to the principal in person. (Be sure to dress the part!) ALWAYS be kind to whomever you meet…students as they come in the office, administrative assistants, etc. You are already interviewing, you just may not realize it yet. Larger districts cannot always support this type of interaction, but in a smaller district, it can work.

Best of luck! Wooster has prepared you well!

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