With thirty-one percent of St. Petersburg College students enrolled in online-only courses and another thirty-four percent in blended classes, offering career resources through mixed mediums has become increasingly important.
As a journalism major in college, I graduated in 1985 without ever touching a personal computer. We used typewriters with a correction pencil and recycled off-white paper. Yes, really!
Several years later, working as a Career Outreach Specialist, I now work with a group of students for whom computers are essential. That means offering career resources on a variety of channels – both in person and online – is a necessity.
Allstate Center offers Titan Talks
The Allstate Student Life and Leadership team is partnering with Career Services to create a series of Titan Talk videos. These will be similar to a TED Talk and help prospective students in the College of Public Safety, Public Policy and Legal Studies learn more about their intended profession and career resources.
One of the speakers is Chief of Police for the City of Treasure Island Armand Boudreau.
Insights from law enforcement veteran
Boudreau is an SPC alumnus and Chief of Police in Treasure Island who graduated from our B.A.S. in Public Safety Administration program. He is a 20-year veteran law enforcement officer who offers constructive advice for anyone entering the law enforcement field.
Boudreau emphasizes the need to continue educational pursuits above all. Advancement will not be an option for officers (or employees) who do not take the initiative to continuously develop themselves.
In addition to this video which will be used in SPC’s Smart Start Orientation and Introduction to Criminal Justice, Boudreau also suggested one-on-one interactions with his recruiting team. Prospective cadets can participate in a job shadow and informational interview to learn more about the profession, department and their mission. It also gives the city’s recruiters a better opportunity to get to know the student than through a formal oral board interview.
“We are moving away from relying on oral boards because the questions are always the same. Candidates know the questions and what the answers should be so the benefit of two-way dialogue and assessment of critical thinking skills can’t be evaluated in a formal interview,” Bondreau said.
One of Boudreau’s personal commitments is to “pay it forward.” Focusing on that motto, he participates in career development opportunities like those at SPC and serves on a college advisory board.
Meeting students where they are
With professional partners like Boudreau, the college’s Career Services area plans to continue to meet students where they are and connect them with innovative resources that will help them see their career options while pursuing their academic paths.