When a recently released study showed that Citizen Schools’ volunteers not only make an impact on students, but also gain real workplace skills in the process, we were thrilled. The study by Professor David A. Jones found that one third to half of volunteers reported improvements in 10 specific skills, such as time management, public speaking, teamwork, and mentoring. In essence, it’s a win-win for everyone. We took the time to ask one of our all-star volunteers from PIMCO in New York about her experience to learn more about this phenomenon while teaching the Tools for Tomorrow "apprenticeship" class. Here’s what Melody Rollins, had to say...
Read MoreDr. David Jones is a professor of management in the School of Business at the University of Vermont. My first exposure to Citizen Schools was in Spring 2012 when I agreed to conduct an independent assessment of how serving as a volunteer Citizen Teacher might affect employee volunteers in ways that benefit both them and their employer. Through my work with Citizen Schools, I’ve seen first-hand the dramatic impact that Citizen Teachers can have on young minds, exposing middle school students across the country to new experiences and opportunities in a variety of careers.
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