Make work part of the learning
Approximately one in five Pratt students works on campus, making student employment an important opportunity to support learning and professional growth. Pratt GROW is a guided reflection program that helps student employees connect their workplace experiences with their academic learning, professional development, and future goals.
What is Pratt GROW?
Adapted from Iowa GROW®, Pratt GROW uses brief, structured conversations between student employees and their supervisors to make the learning happening through campus work more visible.
These conversations help students recognize the skills they are developing, connect their work with their studies and interests, and prepare to describe their experience in future opportunities.
Pratt GROW is not an additional evaluation or course. The conversation itself is the intervention – an intentional reflection that strengthens the learning already happening through work.
How Pratt GROW Works
- Supervisors participate in practical training led by CCPD.
- CCPD provides ready-to-use conversation cards, facilitation guidance, and tools for connecting student work with NACE competencies.
- Supervisors incorporate brief, structured conversations into regular check-ins, team meetings, or other existing workflows.
- Students reflect on their work, recognize the skills they are developing, and connect their experiences with their academics, interests, and future goals.
A Pratt GROW conversation may explore
- How is your job fitting in with your academic work?
- Can you share an example of something you’ve learned here that you’ll use in your future career?
- Can you share a time when you encouraged a coworker or helped keep a team motivated?
Why Pratt GROW matters
| For student employees | For supervisors |
|---|---|
| Recognize work as a meaningful learning experience Connect academic learning with workplace practice Build confidence in naming transferable skills Prepare stronger examples for résumés and interviews Develop a clearer sense of goals and next steps | Build stronger relationships with student employees Make feedback and mentoring more intentional Support career readiness without redesigning the job Use a shared language for discussing development Learn more about students’ strengths and aspirations |
Career Readiness Competencies
Pratt GROW uses the NACE Career Readiness Competencies to help students and supervisors recognize the skills developed through student employment.
These competencies, developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), describe the skills and behaviors that prepare students for success in the workplace and provide a shared language for discussing professional growth.
Learn more about the competencies
Career + Self-Development
- Asking for and applying feedback from a supervisor
- Identifying strengths and areas for growth
- Setting goals and taking on new responsibilities
- Connecting skills developed at work with academic and career interests
Communication
- Responding clearly and professionally to emails and questions
- Listening carefully and asking clarifying questions
- Adjusting communication for different audiences
- Sharing updates, concerns, or ideas with a supervisor or team
Critical Thinking
- Identifying a problem and considering possible solutions
- Prioritizing tasks when several requests arise at once
- Recognizing when additional guidance is needed
- Suggesting ways to improve a process or service
Equity + Inclusion
- Treating students, visitors, and colleagues with respect
- Considering different perspectives and experiences
- Using inclusive and accessible communication
- Recognizing and addressing barriers that may affect participation or access
Leadership
- Helping orient or support a new student employee
- Coordinating a task, project, program, or event
- Encouraging others and contributing to team motivation
- Taking responsibility for shared goals and outcomes
Professionalism
- Arriving on time and following through on responsibilities
- Communicating in advance about scheduling changes
- Handling sensitive or confidential information appropriately
- Responding constructively to feedback and workplace challenges
Teamwork
- Collaborating with colleagues on a project or event
- Contributing ideas during meetings
- Sharing responsibilities and helping when priorities change
- Keeping team members informed about progress and challenges
Technology
- Learning a new system or digital tool
- Organizing and maintaining accurate digital information
- Selecting appropriate technology for a task
- Using technology responsibly, securely, and ethically
Bring Pratt GROW to your team
Pratt GROW is designed to be flexible and practical for supervisors across campus. If you are interested in using Pratt GROW with your student employees, CCPD will help you get started.