Bridging the Skills Gap: Enhancing the Student Employee Experience

Academic libraries have a unique opportunity to contribute to the success of their student employees by teaching and developing skill sets necessary for students to be successful throughout their academic careers. A co-curricular workshop program was developed and implemented to prepare student employees for the real world challenges they will face during their academic careers as well as after graduation. Through participation in a series of one-hour workshops, students acquire skills that aid them in accomplishing academic, personal and professional goals. This workshop series also provides opportunities for the library to engage in the development of their employees in a culture of mentorship, and student participants gain intellectual and practical skills including teamwork, problem solving, and critical/creative thinking