Carnegie Mellon University is dedicated to providing a culture of inclusion and breaking down barriers that inhibit our students, of all needs and abilities, from reaching their full personal, academic and professional potential.
The goal of The Olitsky Family Foundation Career Readiness Program is to break down the barriers-of-entry for students with emotional and cognitive differences in their career-search process. The program takes a unique, 3-pronged approach by engaging our 1) students, 2) local campus community and 3) employer partners in various events to achieve long-term, sustainable success for our students.
Students
1-on-1 Student Coaching
Receive individualized, on-going coaching from a career-support staff dedicated to helping them achieve their career goals.
Work 1-on-1 with a career coach to:
- Develop your own individualized goal plan.
- Build the skills needed to write a resume.
- Receive support on the career search process.
- Find a job &/or internship.
- Practice your interview skills.
REGISTER HERE today via Handshake
Interface Social Groups
October 17th, 5:30 p.m. and November 9th, 5 p.m.
Every student deserves to feel a sense of belonging in our campus community. Connect more deeply with peers through activities and conversations. Learn and respect each other’s differences while celebrating similarities and building meaningful relationships. Anyone and Everyone is welcome!
Group features:
- On and off campus activities
- Deep discussion dives
- Making connections
- Free food!
REGISTER HERE today via Google Forms.
Contact Miranda Mlincek at mmlincek@andrew.cmu.edu for additional information.
Career Readiness Series
September 8th & 9th
Participate in a 2-day career-readiness workshop that will teach you the basics of the job-search process and allow you to practice professional skills in a safe, risk-free environment.
Attend the Career Readiness Series to:
- Build personal career goals, sharpen your resume, and improve skills for the job-search process.
- Develop effective professional communication strategies to improve networking and interview skills, led by a Think on Your Feet FOUNDATIONS professional speaking and communication coach.
- Engage in mock-interviews with various local recruiters.
REGISTER HERE today via Handshake
Student-Employer Connect Event
September 12th, 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Students and employers will engage in a unique opportunity to connect and network in a structured environment. This event will enable our students to apply the professional skills they have developed through the program, as well as provide our employers with a chance to meet candidates from CMU.
REGISTER HERE today via Handshake
Employers
Employer Training Seminar
September 11th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This is a must attend event for companies and individuals interested in enhancing their diversity and inclusion hiring efforts. Learn from a panel of employers, Pittsburgh’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and executives from SAP, as they share how their organizations have taken steps toward enhancing their hiring and retention strategies, specifically for individuals with diverse needs.
Note: There will be a break from 12:30-1 p.m., food will be provided.
Student-Employer Connect Event
September 12th, 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Engage in a unique opportunity to connect and network with students from Pittsburgh-area universities in a structured environment. This event will enable our students to apply the professional skills they have developed through the program, as well as provide our employers with a chance to meet candidates from CMU.
Campus Partners
Campus Partner Education & Training Sessions
Session 1: Friday, September 28th
Session 2: Friday, October 19th
We invite our campus partners (faculty, staff, counselors and advisors) to attend a two-part series that is designed to educate our campus community on the needs of this unique population of exemplary students and provide hands-on opportunities to learn how to best coach and support our students.
- Session #1: Strategies for coaching and advising students with cognitive and emotional differences
September 28th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in CUC Rangos 3
Develop strategies to implement when coaching our students with cognitive and emotional differences. Work alongside your department to explore how you, as a team, can respond and implement these techniques. Group discussions and practice scenarios, led by Becky Melville (Disability Resources) and Megan MacGillivray (Student Affairs).
- Session #2: Identifying and understanding resources in and around the CMU community
October 19th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in CUC Connan
Hear from a panel of resources found both on and off campus to utilize when supporting our students with cognitive and emotional differences. The session will include a Q&A format to provide attendees the opportunity to learn from our partners in the Office of Disability Resources, Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Evolve Coaching.
If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to participate in any of the above events, please email Kevin Monahan at monahan@andrew.cmu.edu or Megan MacGillivray at mmacgill@andrew.cmu.edu.