NOC pre-engineering and nursing students attended a professional development workshop Sept. 4 at NOC Enid. Students participated in exercises designed to help them develop skills for success in the workplace. (Photo by Mallory Kyler/NOC)
NOC pre-engineering, nursing students attend professional development day
Northern Oklahoma College pre-engineering and nursing students attended a professional development day Sept. 4 on the NOC Enid campus.
The professional day was led by NOC Division Chair for Engineering, Physical Science and Process Technology Dr. Frankie Wood-Black, along with Rachel Kroemer and Lerna Deyirmencian from the NOC Nursing Division.
During the workshop, students learned how to build a success plan and prepare for their future careers. Students participated in interactive sessions focused on how reflection, communication and understanding personal learning styles can help them along their career pathways.
Other topics included lifelong learning, resume writing and opportunities available to students at Northern Oklahoma College, in surrounding communities and through NOC’s community partners.
“Northern Oklahoma College provides this workshop annually at the beginning of the year to help students prioritize extra- and co-curricular activities,” Wood-Black said. “This allows them to identify critical workplace skills that they can obtain by participating in clubs and organizations and taking advantage of opportunities announced by faculty and staff.
“What helps our students stand out is that they take advantage of these types of opportunities to build workplace skills in addition to the knowledge they obtain through their normal coursework.”
NOC Nursing Division Chair Dr. Vickie Crouch said the workshop is part of the nursing program’s commitment to student success and professional development.
“As part of the Northern Oklahoma College nursing program’s commitment to supporting student achievement, professional development and transition to practice, nursing students participated in this professional workshop focused on career readiness and preparation for entry into the health care workforce,” Crouch said.
“Through this hands-on experience, students strengthened their professional identity, increased their confidence and gained valuable skills to effectively market themselves as beginning professional nurses in the competitive health care field.”
Crouch said the workshop also supports several outcomes of NOC’s nursing programs.
“The professional workshop supported the NOC Nursing program’s outcomes related to effective communication, professional role development, leadership and transition to the role of the beginning registered nurse,” Crouch said. “Students developed and refined professional resumes and cover letters that effectively communicated their educational preparation, clinical experiences, competencies and accomplishments.
“Through structured interview preparation and mock interview experiences, students practiced professional communication, responding to behavioral and clinical interview questions, appropriate professional attire and strategies for confidently articulating their strengths and readiness for practice.
“The workshop also provides evidence of the program’s ongoing efforts to promote career readiness, student success and achievement of program outcomes.”
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, branch in Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater. Of these students about 85% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 69% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College or giving to the NOC Foundation, please contact the development office at (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
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