Forging Professional Opportunities between Community Colleges and the Workforce

Community colleges are an important factor in drawing students into the field of geosciences. These students come with a wide variety of skills and plans for the future. No matter where students plan to go, providing hands-on learning opportunities are vital in preparing them for academia or entering into the workforce. We have found that students are eager to participate in "real-world" applications of geology and that their understanding of what geologist do (beyond teaching) is extremely limited. Surrounding the Tidewater region, there are many jobs related to geosciences and could offer viable and lucrative opportunities for students and employers alike. During this workshop, we would like to gather partners from academic institutions, state & federal government, and private-sector geoscientists to explore future partnerships that could benefit our students and our employers.

Workshop Goals

During this one-day workshop, we would like to facilitate discussion among members of academia, government, and private-sector geoscientists to explore possible partnerships and opportunities for students.

  • Facilitate discussions between local employers and two-year faculty about workforce issues concerning student preparation and employment
  • Discuss strategies for incorporating essential workforce skills into 2yc geology courses
  • Explore workforce opportunities for students

Date

Friday May 17, 2013

Registration opens at 8:00AM
Workshop begins at 9:00AM

Expectations

Participates are expected to:

  • Attend the entire workshop.
  • If you have a laptop computer, please bring it to the workshop.

Costs

This workshop is offered at no cost. Lunch is provided.

Who Should Attend?

We are interested in drawing participants from two-year colleges and professional geoscientists working for the government or within the private sector. In particular, we would like faculty who are interested in exploring workforce opportunities for their students and/or who have incorporated workforce skills into their curriculum. Geoscientists with experience in the government or private sector, who are knowledgeable about desired skills for entry-level and above positions, and interest in exploring opportunities for student internships and work-study partnerships are encouraged to apply.

Facilities

This workshop will be held on the Hampton campus of Thomas Nelson Community College, in the Espada Room (Moore Hall)

Check back for a map and more details about parking

Conveners

Pete Berquist, Thomas Nelson Community College (berquistp@tncc.edu)
Lynsey LeMay, Thomas Nelson Community College (lemayl@tncc.edu)

If you would like further information about the workshop, please contact one of conveners listed above.


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