A Unique Workforce Partnership Forging Change Across the Northeast Since 1995

STUDENT COMMENTS SUMMARY

Next Step Program Benefits

Students and graduates of the Next Step Program (NSP) have described the personal and work place benefits they experienced from participation in the program in a wide variety of ways and contexts. Workplace benefits normally center about several program elements:

• Increased knowledge of telecommunications operations gives the student gains a better overall understanding of the entire telecommunications field.
• Improved communications skills create better relationships with customers, peers, and management.
• Program success creates self-confidence that affects every aspect of daily life.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills have improved resulting in better solutions in the work place.
  Better computer skills have impacted how many approach their jobs.
• Team building, leadership, and networking skills make no job too difficult.
• Graduates can learn what they need to know when they need to know it on their own. They have become independent life-long learners.

Beyond the workplace, the knowledge and skills gained through NSP have equally important, and in many cases moving, consequences. Lifelong educational dreams have been realized for many. To be the best we can be is a universal ambition. Demonstrating the importance of education to their children by "walking the walk" is a tale repeated many times. A child returning to college because mom or dad did it and then graduating on the same stage at the same time is as good as it gets. The camaraderie and team spirit evident at graduation events is known only to those who have overcome serious challenges in their quest for success. And finally, the value added to community activities has seen significant improvement.

No summary of this type can capture the pride and spirit of accomplishment inherent in the students' own description of their experiences. Read our student comments, in their own unedited words.

* Students comment about Work and Life
* Students comment about the Next Step Program