caps 600 pblp gray
TRANSCRIPT
Personal Best Leadership Project
Table of Contents
PePerPP
Personal Best Leadership Project
Marisa Crawford Gray
CAPS 600 PC – Graduate Project
Fall Session Three, 2011
December 16, 2011
Southwestern College Professional Studies
Personal Best Leadership Project
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract 3
Introduction/Background 4
Overview Of Organization 4
Project Description 6
Internship Program Details 7
Organization Of Team 8
Project Timeline 10
Business And Industry Project Timeline 11
Project Measurement 11
Model The Way 13
Inspire A Shared Vision 14
Challenge The Process 15
Enable Others To Act 18
Encourage From The Heart 19
Conclusion 20
Reference 21
2
Personal Best Leadership Project
Abstract
In today’s challenging economic times, employability readiness is a significant and
critical issue for individuals hoping to enter into the world of work. This project focuses
on the idea, structural design and implementation of an internship program that will be a
collaborative effort in partnership with the Workforce Development Department and the
Career Center of Kansas City Kansas Community College. This paper will highlight the
leadership skills applications to model the way, the motivational discussions to inspire a
shared vision, the historical data to challenge processes that enable others to act, and
support to encourage the hearts of my teammates on this project.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
3
Personal Best Leadership Project
In today’s challenging economic times both the employer and the job seeker
experience frustrations with the process of finding each other. The inability to get a job
without experience coupled with the impossibility of acquiring experience without a job,
is the common theme and vicious circle today’s students are learning to hate. “We can’t
find qualified employees with experience” is a mantra often stated by local business
leaders.
I have taken the initial steps to lead a team in creating the structural design for
implementing an internship program for the Kansas City Kansas Community College.
This program will address the needs of both the student and our business and industry
partners. The intrinsic value of participating in an internship program for both the
student and the business and industry partners will understandably be the program’s
focus.
Overview of Organization
Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) is a public, urban, open door,
and comprehensive community college committed to excellence in higher education.
Serving over 7,000 students, we provide associate degrees in six academic areas and over
fifty certificates and certification opportunities for life long learning.
The KCKCC is located in Wyandotte County of Kansas City, Kansas. A city,
population 155,085 of which 95% is urban and 5% rural, that celebrates itself to be one of
the most ethnically diverse communities in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. With a
resident median age of 32.5 and 74% educated at the high school level or above, we have
the foundation of a strong workforce.
4
Personal Best Leadership Project
This community boasts a long tradition of industrial and manufacturing
businesses. The current economic growth in Wyandotte County is concentrated in three
primary areas:
1. Retail and Entertainment: driven by – Village West, Kansas Speedway, Nebraska
Furniture Mart, Cabela's, The Legends at Village West, and the highly anticipated
Schliterbahn Vacation Village;
2. Industrial and Manufacturing: current corporations include Sara Lee, General
Motors, Procter & Gamble, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Owens Corning, and
Kellogg’s;
3. Bio Science/Animal Health: key partnerships with the Kansas Bioscience
Authority and the Kansas City Area Development Council's Animal Health
Corridor, home to the University of Kansas Medical Center and Hospital.
Wyandotte County is poised to land even more bio- and animal health science
companies.
It is important that KCKCC continue to build its programs, services, and training
on the traditions in Wyandotte County, and concurrently seek new innovations and
emerging industries as the future workforce develops. As businesses relocate into the
area their primary concern is whether or not there exists a workforce that is skilled,
trained, educated, and available to staff and move their businesses to the next higher
level.
5
Personal Best Leadership Project
Project Description
The goal of this project is to develop an internship program within KCKCC’s
Workforce Development Center that focuses on providing opportunities for students to
gain workplace experience with local companies. The program design will specifically
address skill sets development required for specific work environments. We have an
acute awareness of those skill sets because of our constant communication and strong
relationships with business and industry. The three areas mentioned earlier which are:
Retail and entertainment, industrial and manufacturing, and bioscience and animal health,
will be the areas of focus for the internship program. Students who complete the training
program must be skilled, trained and educated as they enter the workplace.
An internship is a pre-professional work experience that provides students, recent
graduates and career changers with opportunities to explore various career fields and
interest. It is an integral piece of the career ladder and can serve as a powerful first rung
in building success in the workplace (Klein, 2011). The concept of internships has long
been a part of the powerful and often-lucrative tool used by larger four-year colleges,
universities and businesses. It is a relatively new venture for many community colleges.
However, having a vital internship program will afford opportunities and access for
students to stand out and be hired by organizations with a vested interest in the workforce
of tomorrow.
Our program will be directed and influenced by industry representatives. The
individuals who enter the program will develop a realistic sense of the learning
requirements that will directly lead to employment. For some, it might be learning a
6
Personal Best Leadership Project
completely new trade. For others it might be building on existing skills, and for the more
advanced, it might be adding new dimensions and then repackaging themselves to re-
enter the market. Whatever their background when entering the program, the process
leading to success will be the same – allow an individual to enroll, take them through the
assignments, place them in a company as an intern, review lessons learned. The desired
outcome is that the student will begin to feel empowered and energetically move to
achieve their professional dream with dignity and respect for self.
The program assignments, exercises, and internship placements will be
motivational and specifically designed to assist students to explore career options, narrow
career choices and focus on career goals. Students will research geographic locations or
gain insight about a specific industry or career goals. In class learning experiences will
correlate with real-world work experiences and relationships, which will serve them well
for the rest of their career. Internships will also provide students an opportunity to get
their foot in the door and land a job in an extremely challenging employment market.
A successful student in the program can enhance their resume and gain the skills
necessary to set themselves apart from the competition. Students will not have to choose
between work and college, but with the right internship, they can have both.
Internship Program Details
The internship program within the Workforce Development Center will focus on
two components:
1) Student interns: recruitment, training, support and retention of participants
with 30 credit hours and a 3.0 grade point average.
7
Personal Best Leadership Project
2) Business and industry: participation, support and retention.
The first component working with the student interns will be based in the current
Career Center on the campus. The center currently provides internship opportunities for
students in certain career programs. They have the capacity for growth, and this project
will provide enhancement components to strengthen their program. The Business and
Industry component will be based in the Workforce Development Center. They currently
work with companies and have relationships with representatives that understand and are
willing to meet the needs of future workplace employees.
This program provides an excellent opportunity for the college to be a leader in
this industry, providing guidance, support and collaboration towards addressing the
challenges of our existing and future workforce. It is our goal for our business
community to view the college as vital and progressive resource for prospective
employees.
Organization of Team
The core team selected to work on this project would include the following
members:
Marisa Gray, Business Development Liaison
Jay Matlack, Workforce Development Coordinator
Eric Kirkwood, Career Center, Career Planning and Placement
I have worked with these individuals on other projects and they both bring
important skills and personal experiences to the table. After conducting personal
8
Personal Best Leadership Project
interviews with each of them, I have developed a better understanding of what I need to
focus on to keep our team cohesive, productive and successful.
It will be important for us to keep the communication lines open at all times. Our
meetings need to be productive and agenda driven. It will also be important for me to
provide our team with the resources needed for this project. As a leader, I will also need
to be very flexible in order to allow new ideas and creative thinking take its course. It is
very important that we think outside the box and try new approaches.
Other actual or virtual team members or organizations involved with this project
would include:
College President
College Provost of Academic Programs
Business and Continuing Education Dean
Deans of Academic Programs
Advising and Counseling Center
Tech Center Placement Advisor
Phi Theta Kappa
Student Services Director
Community and other stakeholders that would have a vested interest in the success of this
project would include:
Wyandotte Economic Development Council
Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce
9
Personal Best Leadership Project
Workforce Partnership
Business West
Downtown Stakeholders
Legends Outlet
Fair Fax Industrial Association
The budget for this project would include the following cost items:
Personnel Cost
Intern wages (matching funds)
Marketing and promotional Material
o Internal student campaign
o External business community campaign
Orientation and Bi-monthly meetings
Internship Participant Manual
Business and Industry Participant Manual
Recognition Awards and Certificates
Project Timeline
The goal is to start this internship project at the pilot level in January 2012 with
the orientation and placement of students during the spring and summer semester.
Student Internship Timeline:
10
Personal Best Leadership Project
Fall Semester Spring Semester
August - September
Recruitment and Application
Process
Student Orientation
January - February
Recruitment and Application
Process
Student Orientation
September - October
Essential Employability Skills
Kansas Work Keys
Work Readiness Session
February – March
Essential Employability Skills
Kansas Work Keys
Work Readiness Session
October - November
Student Interview and Placement
March – April
Student Interview and Placement
November – December
Roundtable
Evaluation
April – May
Roundtable
Evaluation
Students participating in the program during the spring semester can be placed in the
summer or fall based on their interest and company availability.
Business and Industry Project Timeline
Recruitment for business and industry would be a continuous year round process.
Business participants would attend a scheduled orientation session to confirm
their commitment and receive manual outlining roles and responsibilities.
11
Personal Best Leadership Project
Quarterly Business and Industry Roundtable sessions will be conducted for
participating companies to share best practices.
Project Measurement
The success of this project would be measured by the following elements:
Number of students recruited and retained into the program
o Goal: 25% new qualified over existing level
o Goal: 80% retention of all participants
Number of students placed in workplace sites
o Goal: 15 new students placed each semester
Number of academic areas participating
o Goal: Increase by 20% the existing base
Number of students that successfully complete the program with a
favorable placement evaluation
o Goal: 90% of existing participants
Number of businesses enrolled and participating in the program
o Goal: 20% increase of existing base
Income generated for program operation
o Goal: matching placement cost of five (5) students for operational
expenses
12
Personal Best Leadership Project
MODEL THE WAY
“It is important for a leader to find their voice and be willing to stand up for their
beliefs” (Kouzes, Posner, 2007).
My desire to lead this project is grounded in my passion for empowering people
and facilitating change. I believe it is the responsibility and obligation of our institution
to be a viable resource in this community. Within our organization, we have the
necessary tools to meet the needs and make a difference for the citizens of our area. I
believe in the people of Wyandotte County, and our college can help make a difference in
the economic outcome for this community. We have the capacity to equip our students
with the skills required to make a difference in their ability to gain employment at a
higher level. Based on our relationships with business and industry, we can facilitate the
coming together of the two entities, the job seeker and the employer, which will enhance
our economic growth in this community. With the implementation of this program, we
can provide a second chance for some individuals that are indecisive in a career choice,
or lack the necessary skill sets needed to find employment in order to provide for
themselves and their families. The results of this program might not be seen
immediately, but over time we can help to make a difference in the unemployment rate of
our community.
13
Personal Best Leadership Project
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION
A leader envisions the future by using the end result as their beginning.
Exemplary leaders are forward-looking. They are able to envision the future, to gaze
across the horizon of time and imagine the greater opportunities to come. While we all
think about the future; we all want tomorrow to be better than today (Kouzes & Posner,
2007). It is the role of a good leader to make sure that what they see is also something
that others can see. As the leader of this team, I will listen to my team members as we
define the possibilities. We will have sessions to just brainstorm and to determine
solutions to challenges. During this process, as a leader, I will work to find a common
purpose in our thoughts and move them to concrete action. It will be important for me to
research various practices and models as I plan ahead while working in the present
moment. As a team we need to constantly be thinking about what is next? We must
continue to ask if the present process is meeting our future needs and goals.
As a leader of this team, I am committed to listening to my team; providing
support and feedback; accepting responsibility for our actions and celebrating our success
as we build this program. As I listen, it will be with sensitivity for the aspirations of
others and discovering the common values that link us together. I am listening and
looking to find meaning. Finding the commonalities will help our team to share the
vision and produce outstanding results.
14
Personal Best Leadership Project
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS
The Workforce Development Center’s internship program provides an
opportunity for individuals to have a choice in what they learn and how to utilize their
skills and be empowered to excel and achieve. Not every individual that seeks out the
services of a community college is looking to obtain credit hours or a degree. Some
individuals want to obtain the skill sets and knowledge that will help them get a job, keep
a job, or start a new career.
The Workforce Development Center will provide the "bridge" of information;
skill sets and training based on current industry needs. With the rapid changes in our
community today, business and industry require individuals to be proactive, critical
thinkers and lifelong learners in order to stay competitive.
This project will also allow business and industry to share with the educational
system (K-college) what the current trends are and the need for quickly changing
workforce base. Our internship program will help individuals to train specifically in
these areas. Whether an individual is preparing to enter the workplace for the first time
or re-entering due to life's circumstances they will be able to gain the foundation needed
at our institution.
The proposed internship program is a partnership of several areas within our
college. There will be some changes required as we integrate the areas and explore
various working models. Some of the traditional programs will need to be enhanced
based on our new findings. This will also provide us an opportunity to explore new
territory and create new pathways.
15
Personal Best Leadership Project
Our team for this project has held preliminary pre-conversations about the
challenges of this project and identified them as the following:
Challenge Limitation Opportunity
Lack of funding Student not willing or
able to take an internship
without compensation
Establish endowment
fund or Corporate
Sponsorship
Student Participation Students lack
understanding of
internship value
Develop a new internal
campaign for internship
Quality student level Students with appropriate
GPA and/or skill set
Develop an orientation
program; mentorship
Advisor Participation Advisor’s lack of
knowledge and
understanding of program
Advisor Orientation and
model resources of
opportunities
Company Participation Companies that can meet
curriculum requirements
Make internship an ask
from all levels; Develop a
company support
program; request job
descriptions
Internal department
participation
Each area has their own
process or opt out of
participation; Not every
department has a general
Develop a campus wide
process that all
departments can support
and participate in;
16
Personal Best Leadership Project
Internal department
participation (cont.)
internship course for
credit
Develop a general course
description that can be
utilized with minor
changes in each academic
area.
Recognition of
completers
Tracking students Establish an
evaluation/exit process;
Create a database of
completers and graduates;
Compare actual
completers with
graduates; Set up an
alumni base for
mentorship
As a leader of this project, it is important that I be prepared to seize the initiative.
There might be a point with this project that as a leader I will have to lead my team
through the adversity of the established order and keep them strong during the resistance
we might face. My task is to help the team bring new ideas, methods and solutions to this
program. As I do this, my constant thought is to challenge with a purpose.
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT
17
Personal Best Leadership Project
In order for this project to be successful I need to develop a cohesive and
collaborative team, beginning with trust as the foundational framework. As a leader, I
must give the power to others to have creativity and freedom to explore new ideas and
ways of thinking. This means relinquishing control and letting my team be responsible
for their jobs. After conducting the individual interviews, I have a better idea of each
person’s strengths, areas of expertise and their passion for this project. It will be my
responsibility to create a climate of collaboration. Our team must be built around
common purpose and mutual respect. These are all important elements that I have to
work at and cannot leave to chance.
Our project will require us to interact and exchange information at many levels,
internally with faculty, staff and students and externally with business and industry
leaders and community organizations. I have to lead the way and show my trust for our
team by listening more attentively, and sharing information and resources freely. There
will be opportunities for me to facilitate relationships between my team members and the
businesses I have interacted with over a period of time. This will also allow my team to
understand the value of reciprocity. As a leader, my foundation is based on the concept
that for cooperation to succeed, individuals need to understand that by working together
they will be able to accomplish something that no one can accomplish on their own
(Kouzes and Posner, 2003).
ENCOURAGE THE HEART
18
Personal Best Leadership Project
To me, “encourage the heart” means to recognize and acknowledge the
accomplishments of my team. We will work hard and we will enjoy the journey. I have
to have faith in my team that they are willing to do their best. If I expect great things
from my team, they will give me their best. If I set clear expectations and goals for my
team, then our focus on the end result will keep us on track. This means that I must
provide feedback consistently. There will ideas that might not work. Together we will
acknowledge our efforts, revaluate what went wrong and then quickly work through it
and try again. My encouragement will allow my team to reach inside and do their best.
They must know that I believe in them and will recognize their contributions to this
project.
Acknowledging the contributions of others is important to me. This can be shown
in a variety ways. It can be a note, email, or stopping by and saying “thank you”. There
will be times when I might do something really small and crazy to say thank you like
bring them treats from my favorite bakery. Then there might be other times when I will
suggest they make the presentation during one of our meetings. I would also encourage
them to present our project as a paper for a professional conference. This says to my
team that I am willing to share the spotlight and I have faith in them as a member of our
team that is focused on our ultimate goal.
CONCLUSION
19
Personal Best Leadership Project
I have enough passion for the project to believe that it will work and can bring
great value to our institution and our community. I have the ability and experience to
lead my team and create a climate that enhances learning, cultivates resiliency and make
something extraordinary happen.
Our team will have the ability to meet individuals that enter our program where
they are, and help them transition throughout their journey. We will treat each person
with dignity, respect and compassion while challenging them to be and do their best.
When individuals leave this experience, they will have the skill sets needed to
find employment and the confidence to be successful. The business and industry
community will look to us as a positive resource, and be confident that if they receive a
student from our program they are ready to enter the workplace.
As a result of the project I will gain personal growth and enhance my skills as a
leader as I execute action for change. My team members will also gain exposure,
confidence and personal growth while making a difference and creating change. My
involvement with others on this project will provide me with the prospect to share my
vision and passion for empowering others to act and excel. I will continue to bridge the
gap that challenges the process of information that dispels the myths about our abilities as
an institution and a community. Throughout this journey, I will apply my leadership
skills to model the way. I will seek out opportunities to have motivational discussions
and always find opportunities to encourage others from my heart. I value my team and
their contributions and will find moments often to celebrate our efforts as we create
change.
References
20
Personal Best Leadership Project
Klein, Aaron. "Levels the Playing Field for Community Colleges." Aaron Klein. Web. 12
Dec. 2011. http://www.aaronklein.com
Kouzes J. and Posner, B (2007). The leadership challenge, 4th Edition. Jossey-Bass, San
Francisco, CA
Kouzes, J. and Posner, B. (2003) The leadership challenge workbook. Hobken, NJ:
Wiley
21