The Fall 2024 Student Employee’s Achieve (SEA) Badging Program concluded with a cohort of 27 student employees! Starting in October 2024, student employees from various offices around our campus joined The Office of Student Employment’s SEA Badge Program for trainings on critical professional skills over the course of 4 weeks. Participants went in depth over topics such as Professionalism, Communication, Critical Thinking, Career & Self Development, and Technology, with many trainings led by our on-campus friends.
The SEA Badge Program integrates elements of the 4D experience and student academic and professional development into it’s trainings. Students who complete the badge will be proficient in application of the NACE career readiness competencies in their student employment role and prepared to transfer those skills to post-graduate work opportunities. This process of reflection, connection, and discovery delivers on the 4D Experience, providing opportunities that support students’ intellectual growth, character growth, well-being, and sense of purpose. Overall, the goal of the SEA Badge Program is for student employees to reach the following outcomes:
- Be able to identify how they are building career skills in their student employment.
- Can see connections between their student employment and their future careers.
- Gain confidence in articulating those connections for themselves and others.
- Build a strong sense of self as professional and what that means for their future careers.
Below are spotlights on two student employees, Elizabeth Amoah and Jocelyn Buenrostro, who were a part of the Fall 2024 SEA Badge Program cohort. These student employees have not only demonstrated a strong understanding of significant career skills but also have proven their ability to utilize their time as student employees to continue developing their professional abilities. If you would like to learn more about their experiences, feel free to connect with them through LinkedIn!
Elizabeth Amoah
LinkedIn: Elizabeth Amoah
Introduce yourself! In two to three sentences, who are you as a student and a professional?
My name is Elizabeth Amoah, and I am a graduate student specializing in Business Analytics at Daniels College of Business. As a professional, I combine my technical expertise in data analysis, visualization, and strategic decision-making with a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning. I enjoy leveraging tools like Python, Alteryx, and Power BI to create impactful insights and innovative solutions.
What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?
I work as a Graduate Assistant, supporting my supervisor with research and administrative tasks. This role has enhanced my ability to collaborate effectively, manage my time efficiently, and sharpen my skills in tools like Excel while conducting goal-driven research.
What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?
Completing the Student Employees Achieve badge helped me reflect on my skills and professional growth. It strengthened my ability to set goals, adapt to challenges, and enhanced my communication and leadership abilities, which are essential in both academic and professional settings.
What is your career goal moving forward?
My goal is to work as a data analyst or consultant, where I can use my analytical skills to drive business solutions and strategic initiatives. Long-term, I aspire to contribute to impactful projects at leading organizations, bridging the gap between data and decision-making to create meaningful outcomes.
Jocelyn Buenrostro
LinkedIn: Jocelyn Buenrostro
Introduce yourself! In two to three sentences, who are you as a student and a professional?
My name is Jocelyn Buenrostro. I’m a double major in Sociology and Languages, Literatures & Cultures with a concentration in Italian, and minoring in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. I’m passionate about education, first-generation experiences in higher education, as well as bridging the language barrier gaps in these spaces.
What is your student employment job, and what have you learned there?
I work at the Financial Aid Office as the Senior Peer Advisor and in the Language Center as an Italian Tutor. As the Senior Peer Advisor, I’ve learned to communicate effectively and adjust training methods to fit the Peer Advisor’s learning style. I also have grown with my Spanish Translation skills as I’ve had to explain a student’s financial aid offer as well as the financial aid process to Spanish-speaking families. As an Italian Tutor, I’ve also learned to adapt to a student’s learning style and listen to what they hope to gain from attending the tutoring.
What have you gained from completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall?
From completing the Student Employees Achieve badge this fall; I’ve learned to clearly express the skills that I’ve gained from working both jobs. Many of the skills/topics discussed throughout the program made me think of how I can continue improving those skills in my workplaces as well as in classes. I’ve tried to apply more of the recommendations presented by the program to improve. I’ve learned to be more confident in my abilities, not be afraid of asking questions, and advocate for myself and the students we serve.
What is your career goal moving forward?
Moving forward, my career goal is to embrace leadership opportunities and continue to improve my skills as a professional.
