Faculty and staff

Para-Professional Development Program

Purpose

Students have access to a variety of Experiential Learning opportunities that will help prepare them to successfully make the transition from the student to the professional world. One of these means is for students to exercise the option of an on-campus part-time job. The primary goal of on-campus employment is to provide students with the opportunity to develop transferable professional skills and to experience the challenges and rewards of learning by doing.

Every employer is looking for a specific set of skills that match a particular job: however, there are certain skills sought by almost every employer:

• Good communication skills
• Analytical and research skills
• Computer skills
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal skills
• Leaderships skills
• Multicultural awareness
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork skills
• Dependability
• Positive Attitude
• Self-confidence
• Self-motivation
• Willingness to learn

Through Focus Indiana, funding will be provided to academic or administrative departments to assist in paying the salaries of students that participate in the Para-Professional Development Program.

Students that are participating in the Para-Professional Development Program must hold positions that go beyond the normal clerical functions of traditional student employment positions. These positions must be intentionally designed to offer opportunities for professional growth.

Program Learning Objectives

• Students will develop professional work habits
• Students will increase problem solving skills
• Students will increase communication skills
• Students will increase leadership skills
• Students will increase teamwork skills
• Students will increase professional development skills

Eligibility

All academic or administrative units are eligible.

All ISU-supported projects are administered in accordance with established University fiscal procedures and research policies. These include all travel regulations, policies relating to the protection of human subjects, and policies related to intellectual property rights.

Awarding of Funds

Four $1,000 stipends will be granted each academic year, with no more than two awarded to the same division. Funds should be used for student wages. Each award will be released upon receipt of the completed assessment survey during midterm week.

Application Process

1. To be considered for the spring semester, applications must be turned in by December 1^st.
2. To be considered for the fall semester, applications must be turned in by August 1^st.
3. To be considered for the summer semester, applications must be turned in by April 1^st.
4. Applications must be submitted to Dr.Elonda Ervin, Director of the Career Center.
5. Original signatures are accepted on the application.

Program Requirements

1. Program should be implemented within an academic semester.
2. There should be a minimum of five student participants in each program, however, some exceptions may be made.
3. Supervisors must attend a mandatory workshop that will address program specifics and requirements.
   1. The workshops will be held during the months of August, December, and April. Each award recipient will be notified in writing of the date, time, and location.
4. Completion and submission of the assessment must be submitted during midterm and finals week by both the student participants and supervisors.

Assessment Requirements

Students and supervisors are responsible for completing the evaluation survey that will be given to supervisors during the training workshop. Assessments have to be submitted before the end of the semester in which the Para-Professional Development Program was initiated. Failure for not completing and returning the survey will result in the revocation of the award.

Proposal Submission and Notification of Awards

The deadline for application submissions is August 1^st for fall, December 1^st for spring, and April 1^st for summer. Applicants will be notified, in writing, of the selection of stipend recipients within 7 days of the deadline.

Departments are to submit the application to Tracy Powers, Executive Director of ISU Career Center.

Application

Para-Professional Application

Questions

If you have questions, contact Tracy at:
(812) 237-5000
E-Mail:tracy.powers@indstate.edu