Summer Enrichment Academy Workshop Highlights
During the week of June 3, 2019, CUNY EDGE student Charlexia Rey attended a series of personal/professional development workshops under the Summer Enrichment Academy. "I learned a plethora of things at these workshops," Rey says, and provides these reflections:
Self-Care Workshop
"At the Self-Care Workshop, I learned that in order to not become overwhelmed with life, in general, I need to practice time management. The main highlights of the workshop were:
- Do not procrastinate.
- Identify things that bring you joy and do them.
- Negate things that stress you out.
Professional Development Workshop
"The second workshop that I attended was a Professional Development Workshop hosted by the Magner Career Center. I learned of different Web resources that I can utilize to identify employers in my field. I also learned of several networking platforms that I could connect with Brooklyn College alumni who are working in the industry I desire to be in. The main highlights of the workshop were:
- You land jobs through the connections you make.
- CUNY has a meetup forum.
- Utilize BC Hire.
Academic Advisement Workshop
"The third workshop was hosted by the Center for Academic Advisement and Student Success. It was a workshop informing us of the resources available to help us stay on track to graduating within four years. This workshop was very helpful. I was able to learn the different ways to access my DegreeWorks profile and track my credits. The senior adviser who hosted it also held one-on-one advisement sessions. In my session, I learned that I need to take 18 credits for the next two semesters, in addition to two summer classes, in order to graduate within four years. The main highlights of the workshop were:
- You need to complete 15 credits each semester to stay on track for graduation (four years, 120 credits).
- How degree maps work for keeping track of your classes.
Brooklyn Public Library, Recruitment, and Negotiating a Salary Workshops
"On the last day of workshops, I attended three separate workshops. The first workshop was hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library. I was informed about the various education resources the library provides for free. I was also given some résumé-building tips.
"In the second workshop, we met with a staffing agent recruiter and were informed on how to properly interact with a recruiter and how to dress for an interview, and I received answers to me questions about interviewing for a position.
"In the last workshop of the week, I learned how to appropriately negotiate a salary during a job selection process. I was given wonderful tips on when to bring up salary and benefits as well as red flags to be aware of when considering starting with a company.
"Overall, this week of workshops has been very refreshing and informative. I am very grateful to CUNY EDGE for connecting me to these various professionals."
