School/Business Partnerships - A Recipe for Success

#NAFNext2014

School / Business Partnerships A Recipe For Success

#NAFNext2014

Who we are

#NAFNext2014

Kim Bennett-Internship Coordinator Pathways Academy of Technology & Design, Hartford, CT (860) 695-9495 [email protected](Academy of Information Technology) www.pathwaystotechnology.com

Tara Spain-Community RelationsVice President, Travelers Foundation, Hartford, CT(860) 277-7015 [email protected]

Bernie Sheridan- Advisory Board MemberProgram and Account Management, Travelers Insurance, Hartford, CT(860) 954-2202 [email protected]

Description and Objectives

#NAFNext2014

Highlight the importance of establishing strong collaborative relationships between the school, Industry Advisory Board, and the business community to enhance work-based learning experiences for students

Provide ideas on how to develop ways to bring students and professionals together

Allow time to share thoughts, ideas, and successes to keep dialogue focused on increasing student success within a work-based learning program

Format of Learning Seminar

#NAFNext2014

Discussion versus Lecture

Goal-100% of participants will learn two new strategies to build partnerships between your school and local business partners

Advisory Boards

#NAFNext2014

Who has an Advisory Board?

Why Does NAF Insist on Advisory Boards?

What is the make up of your AB?

Suggestions for Advisory Boards80% Business Partners

20% Community Organizations, Higher Education

Pathways Advisory Board

#NAFNext2014

35 professionals from 21 companies, 2 colleges / universities, the school district, and the school.

Also represent industry groups such as Society for Information Management, Society for Information Management, Black Data Professional Association, and Project Management Institute

IAB Member Roles: Speak on classroom topics Speak at Career Day Host Job Shadows Participate in Resume Workshops and Mock Interviews Review Curriculum Assist in Recruiting New Students Meet with groups of students – Advisory, Lunch n’ Learn Advise Project Teams Mentor Individual students Obtain Scholarships Acquire internships

What other ways does your AB support Your School?

Building the Relationships

#NAFNext2014

Be patient – building relationships takes time Start small – Why? Have a plan

Identify needs of faculty Identify AB members who can assist faculty

Students are your best “marketing tool” Use current relationships to expand network THANK YOU! Celebrate successes

Finding Business Partners

#NAFNext2014

Define the “ask” Identify companies

Companies whose philanthropic mission is education Companies with “Early-Age-Talent” recruitment

Travelers EDGE Program IBM, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft, EA, Apple

NAF Board of Director Companies http://naf.org/board

Identify industry trade associations Google search

Theme specific search (e.g. IT, Finance, Engineering, etc…) Associations targeting ethnic or gender-based groups

Finding Business Partners

#NAFNext2014

Identify non-profit organizations Chamber of Commerce

United Way, Red Cross, Rotary Club

Workforce Development Agencies

Case Study – Travelers, Pathways and High School Inc.

#NAFNext2014

Travelers support for Hartford Schools Travelers support for NAF Four Travelers Employees on Pathways AB

AB Co-Chair and 3 AB members Three Travelers Employees on High School Inc. AB

AB Co-Chair and 2 AB members Classroom Presentations Mock Interviews Career Day Lunch and Learn Job Shadow Day Internships

Career exploration with IT, finance and business managers (14 interns in 2014 between High School, Inc. and Pathways)

Case Study – Travelers, Pathways and High School Inc.

#NAFNext2014

Formal partnerships – Travelers, Pathways and High School Inc. Annual grant Mentoring, tutoring, professional development and field trips Inclusion in the Travelers EDGE (Empowering Dreams for Graduation and

Employment) program

Leverage Travelers support of other organizations (CPEP) Summer math video game program to increase math competencies Personality testing, NYC trip with Travelers CEO

Think, Pair, Share

#NAFNext2014

Take 15 minutes to share in small groups:

Summarize your Work-Based Learning Program Ways you have brought students together with professionals Success stories you have had in your Work Based Learning Program

#NAFNext2014

Questions?

Final Reflections

#NAFNext2014

When I get home, two things I plan to DO with the information I learned are…

The most significant aspect of this presentation for me was…