JobsPLUS to host series of online workshops and presentations for students

Throughout the year hundreds of students participate in JobsPLUS through the program’s network of academic, employer, and extracurricular partners. Since our definition of “in school” has shifted to mean remote learning for the remainder of the semester, JobsPLUS has responded by making a series of important events available online.

“Though we have offered online content before, like many staff members across campus we are learning more each day and getting acclimated with a variety of tools to help us support students remotely,” said Chad Glover, director of JobsPLUS. “We are very fortunate that our program has an extensive network of on-campus and off-campus partners and collaborators who have rallied to help us put together the online events we are offering.”

Workshops and presentations on topics covering career growth, conflict management, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and others will be part of the online JobsPLUS programming available to all students.

“Many students participate in JobsPLUS on paid work time with permission of their employer, through a class they are taking, or to help fulfill a graduation requirement,” Glover said. “We wanted to try to offer as much online programming as we could to help offset the loss of in-person programs and events that would have occurred the rest of the semester.”

Similar to a JobsPLUS in-person event, Glover said students will gain knowledge and build skills that will help them now and as they move into their career.

“Many of the events will also double as a way for them to connect with other students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and employer partners,” Glover said. “We have over 300 registrants since we posted the online events a little over a week ago and the list grows each day.”

Stay connected with the latest JobsPLUS events and register to participate online at go.niu.edu/jobsplusevents.

Here are some exciting JobsPLUS online offerings for spring semester. Content is available in Blackboard Collaborate. Additional events will be added as they are finalized.

March 31 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Aspiration to Entrepreneurship – Open Door Coffee.

April 1 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Conflict Management: Creating Strategies to Maintaining Professional and Personal Relationships – Facilitated by Sarah Klaper, Office of the Ombudsperson. In partnership with the NIU Graduate School.

April 2 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Experiencing Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace – Facilitated by Alecia Santuzzi, Ruth Imose, and Robert Keating, Department of Psychology. Hosted by Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

April 7 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Joint Diversity Dialogue Series/JobsPLUS Series – Diversity & Inclusion: Featuring content from PwC as part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion: Understanding Blind Spots.

April 8 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Be Your Own Boss Alumni Entrepreneurs Series: Alumni entrepreneur Dennis Barsema.

April 14 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Growth Mindset – Facilitated by Kim Luman, Northwestern Mutual.

April 15 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
What’s My Style? Learning to Communicate with Others – Facilitated by NIU Alumna Audrey Southard, Southard Consulting LLC.

April 16 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Joint Diversity Dialogue Series/JobsPLUS Series – Diversity & Inclusion: Featuring content from PwC as part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion: Moving From Color Blind to Color Brave.

April 16 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Be Your Own Boss Alumni Entrepreneurs Series: Alumni entrepreneurs Ralph Strozza and Nick Strozza.

April 21 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Joint Diversity Dialogue Series/JobsPLUS Series – Diversity & Inclusion: Featuring content from PwC as part of the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion: Aspire to Lead: Women in Leadership.

April 21 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
What’s Next? – Facilitated by Melissa Fickling, Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Hosted by Dale Brown and Daron Brown, NIU graduate students.