Office: Center for Civic and Community Engagement
Position: Education Fellow
Major: Undecided (Prospective Art History Major)
What do you do in this position?
As an education fellow, I coordinate a volunteer tutoring program that sends Carls to the TORCH (Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes) office at the Northfield High School. This program is is responsible for ~350 hours of tutoring each term. I also participate in an Education Cohort to with the other 10 education fellows to problem-solve, plan events, and discuss current issues in the world of education.
How did you get your position?
I was hired at the end of Fall Term my first year here at Carleton because of my previous education experience and the time I had put in volunteering at the TORCH office as a tutor. The great thing about Carleton is that your work never goes unnoticed, so I was lucky enough to have been considered as the replacement coordinator for this TORCH program even though I was only a second term student. Because of Carleton’s size and the inclusivity of the CCCE, I have been able to be a peer leader in education very early on in my Carleton career.
What new skills have you acquired?
A lot of my job consists of sending emails, either to my program or to one of the 100+ member listservs that I manage. With practice, I have learned how to compose concise and readable emails that are accessible to as many people as possible (I know it sounds boring, but it’s actually a really useful skill). I’ve also learned how to work in a office setting, in groups, and how to manage the logistics of large events. I am most thankful for how my experience has allowed me to understand the inner-workings of Carleton; I now know how to do room reservations, who to talk to about transportation, and a whole host of other little things that you can really only learn from experience.
How will your student employment experience help you in your future?
The benefits from my position are tangible even now. Being a fellow has been a pathway onto the Carleton Student Association Senate, where I have built amazing relationships with both administrative and student leaders. What’s more is that the CCCE office constantly provides resources, be it through trainings or workshops, to teach me how to leverage my engagement experience to apply for and win other competitive positions. I am gaining invaluable work experience that many college students do not have access to, and this will put me miles ahead of my competitors in whatever field I choose to enter.
What type of person do you feel is best suited for this position?
There is a real social element to my position. I am constantly greeting people who come into the office, answering questions about the CCCE, and talking to volunteers about their roles with various programs. CCCE Fellows should feel comfortable initiating conversations, whether they be through email or in person, to help build relationships, promote reflection, or provide guidance and support.
What do you like best about your student employment position?
I love the people I get to work with! The other fellows are all really awesome people, and my work in the high school also allows me to meet a bunch of students from the high school. The high school students have such a different perspective than I do for everything, so it’s really wonderful to talk to them and take a bit of a break from the typical Carleton conversations.