January 25, 2022
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) has been selected to participate in the Grow with Google Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Career Readiness Program to help Latinx students prepare for the workforce through digital skills and career workshops.
BMCC is one of four HSI CUNY community colleges selected to join the program and one of just 20 colleges nationwide.
The partnership with Google and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) further strengthens BMCC’s commitment to provide students with the necessary skills to thrive in the New York City workforce and beyond. BMCC’s Center for Career Development will pilot the program in the Spring 2022 semester and plans to engage 750 students.
“Grow with Google enhances our ongoing efforts to improve equity and socioeconomic mobility for our students through career development,” said BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe. “Our Center for Career Development will help lead this wonderful partnership with Google and HACU which will open doors for our students on their career paths. BMCC is proud to be part of this amazing endeavor.”
More than 70% of U.S. occupations require medium-to high-level digital skills according to data from the Brookings Institute. Digital skills are also critical to higher wages. Yet, 55% of Latinos have little to no digital skills training. The Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program seeks to change that.
Specifically, the Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program offers a semester-long, in-person and online digital skills program to help students prepare for critical steps in their career journey. Whether preparing for an internship or first job, students will have an opportunity to join interactive video and in-person lessons, participate in activities that help them master key digital and real-world skills, and meet with peers or career counselors for follow-up discussions. There are no out-of- pocket costs to students participating in the program.
Students will be invited to register on Grow with Google’s learning management platform using their BMCC student email account, and from there, they will be able to browse all of the lessons and pursue the ones that are of interest to them, according to Christopher Thunberg, Director of BMCC’s Center for Career Development.
“Google’s Career Readiness lessons will be a terrific complement to the training that the Center for Career Development provides through our workshops and programs,” said Thunberg. “ Students will learn fundamental skills for key career activities such as resume building, job search, career exploration, and more, all using key Google tools and platforms.”
Students who complete their learning pathways will receive a certificate of completion which they will be able to share out on their social media profiles to demonstrate their commitment to career growth and success, Thunberg added.
For BMCC students who are often balancing busy work and family obligations with schoolwork, the flexibility of the program’s self-paced lessons is especially beneficial.
“Given that many of our students are already familiar with fundamental google tools and apps, this program will take their skills to a new level in a very applied way which can positively impact their career success,” said Thunberg.
This partnership with Google and HACU aligns with BMCC strategic goals including goal #3, to integrate career development throughout the student experience.
- BMCC one of four CUNY community colleges selected
- Center for Career Development will begin pilot the program in Spring 2022
- BMCC President Munroe says Grow with Google enhances BMCC’s efforts to improve equity and socio-economic equit
