2019 industryIndustry partnershipspartnerships

Industry Partner Recommendations to Participating Industy Increase Student Social Mobility: Partners: • Offer more educational opportunities to explore various careers and existing jobs • Build confidence, initiative, and social networks

Career Action Program at UTSA • Better preparation in Workforce Training skills; communication, organization, basic Do-Seum University of Texas- San Antonio ...... phone etiquette, power skills, group work, life skills, and work ethic San Antonio Chamber of Commerce TAMUSA • More opportunities for internships, practicums, and mentorships for interested students ...... Texas A&M University-San Antonio Left Step Right Step ...... in communication, media, law, and insurance ...... SAPD • More knowledge on healthcare policies, procedures, and politics VIA Initiative San Antonio Police Department ...... • Current manufacturing trends SAWS Texas State University San Antonio Water System ...... • Basic knowledge in cybersecurity training for those interested ...... The UTSA Small Business Development • Offer more opportunities for employers to speak to students directly IDRA, Chief Science Officer Program and ...... University of Texas- San Antonio Alamo STEM ECO-System Program San Antonio Works • Informing students on realistic expectations of their first job after completing educational ...... requirements; setting realistic goals and having realistic expectations The Idea Company Ace Mart • A stronger partnership with San Antonio youth • Informing students that art can be a full-time career; reinforce that art is a form of and other local businesses communication and is accessible to everyone marketablemarketable skillsskills

Industry Partner Recommendations for Skills Additional Recommendations:. Students Need to be Successful at a Company or University : • Self-confident and ability to self-advocate • Must have experience in PDF and data extraction; able to use multiple technologies Interpersonal Communication Skills Able to work in a team • Students should research companies to better understand the company culture Critical/Strategic Thinking Exceptional customer service skills • Seek companies that have good benefits, insurance, etc. Professionalism Leadership skills • Seek companies that are a good fit for you Adaptability Solution generating, problem-solving Mentorship and Coaching • Find an employer with upward mobility and professional development opportunities Innovation Creativity • Professional attire; knowing how to dress for your client base/audience Reliability and dependability Negotiating Skills • Having a global mindset, competitive at an international level Sound judgment Self-advocacy • Commitment; employers are interested in employees who are committed to the longevity of the Persistence Risk-taking Flexibility company Technologically Informed • Younger generations should be mindful that employers will prioritize company goals and Math skills for Insurance Patience Business Acumen Listening skills expectations and may not always be flexible to meet individual needs Connectivity Ability to receive professional criticism • Learning to work alongside colleagues of every generation and work ethic Entrepreneurial Skills Emotional intelligence • We can teach the job duties, but it is getting more difficult to teach good customer service Organization abilities Management skills • Students should be aware of social media expectations and limitations Multi-tasking skills Public speaking skills • Students should have done several mock interviews before official interviews Cultural sensitivity • Understand the job expectations of the position you are applying for Financial literacy • Add eye-catching items to resume to hook potential employers CommunityCommunity How to Prepare and Engage Students for Feedback Part 1 the Workforce: Feedback Part 1 • Mock interviews with representatives, mentorships, internships, and an employment shadow program would help to make the experience more How can employers verify students have the skills realistic. Students would be able to see what skills are needed to determine marketed? which skills to improve. This can also create relationships that can lead to What would give ACD students an advantage in the life-changing opportunities job market? • Many companies would welcome inviting students for tours • Interactive, purposeful, and structured site visits

• Badges would be meaningful • It would be vaulable for industry partners to be able to speak directly to • SA Works would like to share data they have collected regarding institute specific students and provide in-person demonstrations learning outcomes • Experiential projects with students • Partners would like to see students work on a Capstone project that crosses disciplines • Working with faculty on real-world projects or institutes • Practical experience and project-based learning • Project-based learning; students must show that they have done work related to the job • Good grades need to be a requirement to participate in internships they are applying for • Summer bridge programs are extremely helpful • Computer science is in high demand, but certificates are usually lacking • Student memberships in Art Institute, Blue Start, and SA Woman’s • Creating a cohort for our students to participate in for the long-term adds to their Chambers of Commerce opportunities • Credit for learning opportunities allows job progression • Students should graduate with options, rather than pigeon-holing themselves into one • Alamo College District prides itself on its pipeline to 4-year schools. industry Community colleges have an important role to prepare students for the future • Transferable skills are necessary to be able to change careers many times in a lifetime • Can community colleges can do a better job of marketing to employers to • Students shouldn’t have to change their major to learn marketable skills showcase what their students have? learninglearning opportunitiesopportunities

Learning Opportunities for Students with Industry Partners:

• The Alamo District Colleges are working with SA Works on a badging pilot • Frost Bank has created an internship program that starts at the junior level of college. Part-time positions are also available • Alamo Academies partners with industries for internships Questions • San Antonio Water System (SAWS) has college-level internship programs for questions Engineering, Finance HR, and Information Systems part 2 • The Idea Company takes students to visit companies • University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) hosts student events and invites potential part 2 students to Student Life events and games as well as other opportunities How involved are Career Service offices in the outreach to industry • Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) encourages college students to partners? Is there a placement office? mentor grade school students. They also provide career days or professional days where students can assist partners with engaging younger students interested in a specific If not, is it an evolution we need to invest in more? career Is San Antonio too big to build a link between industry and • The Public Theater of SA has a social group for young students community colleges? • The City of Cibolo has unpaid internship and job shadowing opportunities • Boeing has a program for half-day job shadow. Soft skills, resume creation, plus some What is the immediate picture that comes to mind of someone who hands-on experience are included. Engineering internships exist but are nationally graduated from the Alamo College District? competitive. Also, tours available for young students Ways in which Alamo Colleges District Continued... Can Strengthen Partnerships: • Keep these conversations going and open

• Set expectations of what students will learn in a course • Networking events are crucial • Have a peer discuss the opportunities available with students • Create advisory committees in step with student success and academics programs • Make an effort to work with small employers • Collaborate with Alamo Colleges in providing internships, job shadowing, and mentoring • Build the capacity from day one for internships and partnerships opportunities for students from all institutions • Be mindful of the average age at Alamo Colleges– the majority of students • Be bullish about approaching industry partners to establish internships are not coming directly from High School • Alamo Colleges should reach out to the companies and businesses more • Consider ways to compete with LinkedIn and other forums • Allow credit for prior learning opportunities that allow for more efficient job progression • Better job marketing opportunities • Earned credits and continuing education should be communicated more effectively. • Be involved in Chambers like other Universities. Incentivize students When employers have to go to multiple offices to be served, it strains the employer and involvement business relationship • Masters Leadership Program • Alamo Colleges can be too bureaucratic. Sometimes navigating the system can be so • Take students into the community that they wish to serve difficult that business partners become frustrated • Do a better job of letting the management of companies know the variety of • Create leadership groups for students to interact with different employers in the programs that the colleges offer community • Work with HR/ staff development areas of companies to communicate those • Focus on the arts programs offered and the skills students graduate with • Take students to different locations in the country. Expand job shadowing days and • Find ways to make students more aware of different professional study abroad programs associations in their chosen career path • Mix up the type of employers at a table at future events. Perhaps include coffee and • Help student build better interview skills wine • Develop a community hub to get the word out about internships and other •Work with the economic development arm in each city opportunities • Bi-annual meetings are recommended to keep Alamo Colleges abreast of industry • Job career days needs using the city’s monitoring system, rather than sending out additional surveys • However, surveys can be helpful, as well. Send out periodic surveys to the industries to hone in on their individual needs Thank you to all our industry and community partners for participating in this Signature Event.