A group of Centre County job-seekers is now equipped for the hunt thanks to a volunteer initiative of the State College Young Professionals.
In March and April, six adults completed the SCYP Mentors program, which consisted of five weekly sessions that addressed resume and cover letter writing, job search resources and interview skills.
The final session, held last month, ended with mock job interviews.
Hosted by the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, sessions were led by 11 young professionals, representing fields such as academics, business, nonprofits and government.
Nikki Shariat, SCYP Mentors program coordinator, explains the program, “As a young professionals group, we wanted to be able to share our professional skills with people who need help finding a job and developing their resumes.”
“I signed up as a mentor because I was looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity. I definitely felt that we made a difference and had fun in the process,” says SCYP Mentor, Bill Zimmerman, who works at Penn State.
One of the job seekers just “loved the workshops and the group discussions because of feedback in a positive manner.” Another says that she feels “very much more prepared and confident about finding a job.”
Christine Bishop, Family Services Division Director of YSB fully supports the program. “It was a great opportunity for parents we serve,” she says. “I loved seeing how the connections developed over the five weeks and how adaptive the mentors were to be able to meet the diverse experience of the clients.”
Graduates of the program received a certificate, the opportunity for free CPR training courtesy of the American Red Cross and an expanded network through connections with fellow mentees and the mentors.
The SCYP Mentors program offered its first course in fall 2013 through Housing Transitions, Inc. It will resume in fall 2014. Anyone interested in participating in the free program can contact Nikki Shariat at nikki.shariat@gmail.com.
