The power of this program has always been that it's a win-win, for the community and for campus. For a long time the Jewish community, nationally, has worried about Jewish students getting lost to Jewish life and institutions once they graduate from college. We don't pick up on these young people again until they marry and have children. Of course, by then we invariably lose a significant portion of them and have lost valuable years that could have been spent in fostering their connection to the Jewish community.
This program finally builds a bridge between college and post-college life. If we can help our young people find jobs we know where to find them when they leave college and, most importantly, along with the job we can, from the get go, connect them to a synagogue, federation, JCC, etc. To say nothing of the reservoir of appreciation for the Jewish community that we will have engendered through the act of helping in the next critical phase of their life
Proposal
A previously funded test study, focusing on the different needs of OSU Juniors and Seniors, showed that an in-depth pre-employment project that offered direct guidance for getting a job would both meet the primary needs of this group and help keep OSU Hillel relevant in their lives.
At the same time, in numerous discussions with Columbus Jewish business leaders about the role that Hillel and the University can play in the larger community, a consensus emerged among the leaders that by growing the Jewish population of Columbus, our Jewish community as a whole would strengthen and becomes more dynamic. Business leaders with a strong interest in a thriving Jewish community felt that it would be a great opportunity also for their businesses to actively find and recruit the best that OSU has to offer to help strengthen Jewish Columbus.
OSU Hillel applied to the Columbus Jewish Foundation for matching start-up costs to create an employment initiative which targets Jewish Juniors and Seniors with the ultimate goal of finding these students local employment and thereby combating the "brain drain" and help grow Jewish Columbus.
This initiative, directed by OSU Hillel staff and with the help of a Human Resources expert, addresses the primary employment concerns of our Jewish Junior and Senior students by combining three critical components. Using the expertise of an HR professional, we will in phase one of the program develop a series of workshops to help students develop job-seeking skills, from drafting a proper resume to answering standard questions at an interview. A curriculum that enhances their skills will provide our students a broad range of expertise to do their best.
The second phase will be direct exposure to job possibilities. OSU Hillel has been outreaching to Jewish business leaders in Columbus. On a small trial basis, OSU Hillel has started a mentor/shadowing program. This program, which has met with some success, clearly indicates the huge need and willingness of our students to be exposed to all types of work from entrepreneurs to corporations to non-profits and of course Jewish communal work. With additional resources, OSU Hillel can significantly expand the number of students involved in the program while simultaneously recruiting even more business leaders to lend their time and expertise.
The third and main phase deals specifically with jobs. Working with HR experts, OSU Hillel will plan job fairs, on-site tours of local businesses, and individual career counseling sessions. Through these specialized programs, OSU Hillel expects to find numerous local job openings available to our students. Although OSU does offer career services, they are rarely helpful and never personalized.
One other important piece looks beyond the issue of employment and focuses on how the newly hired graduate can better integrate into the Jewish community. Therefore, we are exploring a Package of Jewish Premiums which would help build social connections. The package would include discounted memberships for: synagogues, the JCC, Young Adult Division events, and other programs in town.
This program is a win-win. It pairs the number one concern of Juniors and Seniors at OSU (finding a job upon graduation) with the Jewish community's interest in using the resources of the University to grow and retain talented graduates. This project represents a new way - one that can be replicated - to take advantage of our deep connection to the University. OSU Hillel will be piloting a program that can potentially open a significant new avenue of outreach and engagement to Jewish students nationwide.
The Columbus Jewish Foundation awarded Hillel a $20,000 matching grant toward a $75,000 program. Hillel is seeking the rest from donors for this year and three additional years to fund this amazing program beyond the term of the Jewish Foundation's support.
