GROW Program
Overview
Lobo GROW®
With the goal of enriching the student employment experience, numerous departments at the University of New Mexico have implemented the Lobo GROW® program. The program aligns with student learning outcomes (UNM 5) as well as the UNM 2040 strategic plan goal two: student experience and educational innovation.
What is GROW®?
GROW® or Guided Reflection on Work was established at The University of Iowa in 2009 with the goal to make student employment a high-impact practice. 150+ institutions have expressed interest in or are actively implementing GROW®. Some departments at UNM first began utilizing GROW® concepts in 2017.
GROW® uses structured reflection to encourage connections and transfer between workplace learning, classroom learning, and future goals. Student employees and their supervisors have conversations each semester guided by the following questions:
- How is this job fitting in with your academics?
- What are you learning here at work that is helping you in school?
- What are you learning in class that you can apply here at work?
- Can you give me a couple examples of things you are learning here at work that you will use in your future career?
GROW® helps students recognize and articulate what they are learning on the job and make connections between different learning contexts. Being able to identify and discuss their skills and experiences is valuable in many current and future contexts including exploring career options, applying for internships and jobs, interviewing for positions, and applying to graduate school.
Lobo GROW Goals
- To strengthen students' transferable skills across various settings such as the classroom, workplace, and future careers.
- To support student employees with the help of supervisors to enhance their professional inquiries.
- To build and connect stronger relationships between student employees and supervisors.
Lobo GROW® Outcomes* at UNM
- 87% of the conversations with students saw skills obtained in the classroom transferred into work settings.
- 96% of the conversations with students saw skills obtained at work transferred into classroom settings.
- 99% of the conversations with students projected to transfer skills between current work experiences and future career goals.
- 100% of students made all connections (class/work/future) in more than one conversation.
*Outcomes from University Libraries pilot program, 2017-2019
Additional Information
Interested in learning more? Contact us.
Supervisors
Those who supervise student employees in departments participating in Lobo GROW® will have the opportunity to attend an orientation/training and will receive written resources about the program as well as ongoing support to help them be successful in implementing GROW® concepts with their student employees.
During each semester supervisors will meet with their student employees several times to discuss connections between their work, academics, and future career paths. Supervisors will also be available and offer support for their student employees’ professional development as appropriate during the course of each semester.
Additionally, supervisors will have opportunities to meet with each other to discuss learning outcomes, challenges, and best practices. This gives supervisors the opportunity to create a network with colleagues across the University.
Students
GROW® Experience
This program aims to enhance the on-campus work experiences of students at the University of New Mexico. The student employment experience helps students to transfer learned skills between different contexts such as the classroom, employment at the university and in their future careers. Participating in Lobo GROW® is expected to help student employees get more out of their on-campus job through expanded growth and learning.
Learning Competencies
Professionalism –
detail oriented, time management, organizational skills
Interpersonal Skills –
communication, empathy & patience, teamwork
Leadership –
seeing the big picture, problem solving, responsibility & oversight
Requirements
- Be eligible for student employment or work-study.
- Work for a department involved in the Lobo GROW® program.
Expectations
- Participate in at least two Lobo GROW® conversations with their supervisor each semester.
- Complete an end of semester survey.
- Participate in workshops, professional development opportunities, career coaching sessions, and other activities.
- Recognize and be able to discuss the competencies/goals reached.
