2008 Woodie Awards
CAN connects alumni with current students
Gustavo Gruber
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
If an undergraduate or graduate student wants to be connected with local businesses or desires to know more about their future career, they can join the Career Alumni Network at Volunteer State Community College.
"One of the first things that I wanted to do when I came here to Vol State was to create an alumni association and a career placement office," said Director of Career Placement, Cooperative Education and Service Learning Dr. Rick Parrent.
According to the network's brochure, the CAN was created in collaboration with area businesses and industry partners of Vol State to assist students of the college in exploring several career development opportunities.
Parrent also said the CAN not only gives opportunities to undergraduates to interact with businesses, but also allows Vol State's alumni to give back to the college by serving as mentors to current students.
"Many of the alumni joined the network because Vol State was their first stepping stone in their education," he said.
Distinguished alumni have volunteered to help students by serving as a contact, shadow, mentor, or referral to enhance students' awareness of existing career opportunities and options, CAN's brochure states.
"My college experience at Vol State was the beginning of a great mind broadening process that endures today," states Square D Company supervisor and Vol State graduate Cedric Short in the CAN's brochure.
Short also said that to this day, he has relied on the skills and foundational habits he developed at Vol State.
When asked about the advantages of the CAN, Parrent said that current students can contact alumni and get feedback from them, or also see and learn what it is really like working in a particular career.
"You might also share your resume with peers. They can see it and critique it for you," Parrent added.
The CAN assists students in understanding how their academic experiences can be utilized and transferred to the types of career activities they may undertake for a lifetime.
"I hope that I can pass along that same help and support that I received as a student, to someone else that's new on campus, a little scared or just needs a friend to lean on," said Farmers Bank Branch Manager and former Vol State student Faye Stubblefield, according to www.volstate.edu/placement/CANalumni.
"It is a win-win situation for both parties," Parrent said. "It is a bridge between current and past students."
"One of the first things that I wanted to do when I came here to Vol State was to create an alumni association and a career placement office," said Director of Career Placement, Cooperative Education and Service Learning Dr. Rick Parrent.
According to the network's brochure, the CAN was created in collaboration with area businesses and industry partners of Vol State to assist students of the college in exploring several career development opportunities.
Parrent also said the CAN not only gives opportunities to undergraduates to interact with businesses, but also allows Vol State's alumni to give back to the college by serving as mentors to current students.
"Many of the alumni joined the network because Vol State was their first stepping stone in their education," he said.
Distinguished alumni have volunteered to help students by serving as a contact, shadow, mentor, or referral to enhance students' awareness of existing career opportunities and options, CAN's brochure states.
"My college experience at Vol State was the beginning of a great mind broadening process that endures today," states Square D Company supervisor and Vol State graduate Cedric Short in the CAN's brochure.
Short also said that to this day, he has relied on the skills and foundational habits he developed at Vol State.
When asked about the advantages of the CAN, Parrent said that current students can contact alumni and get feedback from them, or also see and learn what it is really like working in a particular career.
"You might also share your resume with peers. They can see it and critique it for you," Parrent added.
The CAN assists students in understanding how their academic experiences can be utilized and transferred to the types of career activities they may undertake for a lifetime.
"I hope that I can pass along that same help and support that I received as a student, to someone else that's new on campus, a little scared or just needs a friend to lean on," said Farmers Bank Branch Manager and former Vol State student Faye Stubblefield, according to www.volstate.edu/placement/CANalumni.
"It is a win-win situation for both parties," Parrent said. "It is a bridge between current and past students."
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