CCC collaborates with Accenture to help students be successful in job pursuits

The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), the largest community college system in the state of Illinois and one of the largest in the nation has joined forces with Accenture, a global management consulting, technology and outsourcing company, to ensure students are "job ready" when they graduate. As part of an innovative program called "Skills to Succeed," Accenture is working with City Colleges to help students be successful in their job pursuits.

Twenty-eight CCC students took part in an intensive one day pilot workshop on March 24, 2011 called the "Job Readiness Mentoring Program."  Students learned the do's and don'ts of job interviewing, how to build a resume that gets attention and networking skills.  "The workshop was excellent.  I met the future me in the networking portion with Accenture staff," said Edgar Gonzalez, Harold Washington College student, and a member of the CCC Reinvention initiative's Faculty & Staff Development task force. "Ideally, every CCC student should experience a workshop like this."

The next "Job Readiness Mentoring Program" is scheduled for April 7th.  "This program is an excellent experience for students," said Cheryl L. Hyman, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago.  "Our students are exposed to top professionals in corporate settings, and, most importantly, they are exposed to the high expectations the business world has set for them."

Given the current state of the U.S. economy, Accenture has chosen to rally behind a single objective to reach as many students as possible.  As part of its corporate citizenship plan, the company hopes to train 250,000 students across Chicago and around the globe by the year 2015 with the bottom-line being to help people in communities get jobs.  "Accenture sees community colleges as a critical element in continuing education and developing skills for the transformation of the workforce," said Mark Anderson, Chicago Local Markets Director.  "One of our primary focus areas is the community colleges."  

On May 20th, Accenture will be leading a day-long corporate business meeting at McCormick Place in partnership with the City Colleges. The goal is to get one-thousand CCC students to attend, network with and learn from Accenture employees.  The highlight will be an address by Accenture Chairman Bill Green, a big proponent of the City Colleges of Chicago.  

Students will learn the importance of managing online networks and minimizing risks as they pursue a career.  They'll also learn a few tips and tricks about electronic resumes and how to use keywords to get them noticed by job recruiters.  

"Accenture is extremely excited about this relationship," said Mr. Anderson.  "The ability to partner in a positive way is rewarding."