We were sitting on an old and dilapidated park bench, soaking in the southern sun and sipping on our iced lattes. “Tell me something you learned from your first year of graduate school”, I asked. She thought for a moment and then smiled, “take a shot at every opportunity that comes your way.” Several months later, keeping her advice in mind, I found myself applying to a government agency that recruits highly competent graduate students from the UTA to assist in their assessment center. The students selected to participate in this time intensive assessment process gain a valuable understanding of employee selection; and I was determined to be among them.
Two
weeks out of the summer we gathered in downtown Birmingham, AL, for extensive
training as an assessor for various job roles. This agency not only provides
graduate students the opportunity to assist in the scoring of candidates’
interview performance but also allows students to closely observe the
infrastructure of a smoothly run assessment center. Students meet, interact,
and network with a group of geographically diverse individuals that are either
studying or working in a similar field. The insight acquired from this
experience is indispensible and helps shape each student as a professional in
the field.
Recognizing the knowledge and expertise obtained by collaborating with
outside organizations, the dedicated I/O Professors at the UTA encourage their
students to expose themselves to a multitude of experiences within various
industries. These venues for learning and development allow students to
purposely cultivate their skills and give back to the local community through
organizational development, human resources, and external consultation
initiatives. It seems our goal to “bridge the gap” begins with taking a shot at
good ole opportunity!
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