Q&A with Rick Yaconis, Chief Operating Officer
The following conversation covers a number of issues related to the Westwood Employment Pledge:
What is the Employment Pledge?
How do I quality for the Employment Pledge?
What is Westwood’s commitment as part of the Employment Pledge?
What are some of the important details I need to know about qualifying for the Employment Pledge?
I enrolled before the eligible time period. Can I still qualify for the Employment Pledge?
What is the Employment Pledge?
Rick: Westwood is so confident that you will get the right skills to launch your career, if you haven’t found a job within six months of graduation, we will help pay your bills. We’re so sure that an education at Westwood will prepare you for a brighter future, we’re putting our money where our commitment is – on your success.
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How do I quality for the Employment Pledge?
Rick: Your commitment is straightforward. We want you to be focused on academic success and actively work with our career services team to start your career. Your commitment to complete the program includes:
- Achieve cumulative 3.0 GPA or better at graduation
- Actively pursue employment with career services and be employment-eligible per Westwood’s accrediting standards.
- Successfully complete the following:
- work with career services to perfect your résumé prior to graduation
- complete your portfolio prior to graduation (design and gaming students only)
- participate in our mock interview process prior to graduation
- professionally participate in scheduled interviews
- consistently and actively engage with career services until employment
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What is Westwood’s commitment as part of the Employment Pledge?
Rick: If you do not find employment within six months of graduation, we’ll stand by you and help pay your bills for up to six months or when you become employed, whichever comes first.
Westwood will provide qualifying graduates $500 per month for up to six months (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) $250 per month for up to six months (diploma and associate degrees). If you qualify for the program, you will be given a monthly check to use as you see fit.
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What are some of the important details I need to know about qualifying for the Employment Pledge?
Rick: The Employment Pledge program is available to new students starting at Westwood College, beginning May 2011 term for California and Illinois students and August 2011 term for Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Virginia and online students.
To participate, the student must sign the Employment Pledge commitment document during the first meeting with their career services representative prior to the end of the term.
Employment is defined as employed in-field or related field. Employment in field shows that the graduate’s primary job duties closely match the core skills taught in his/her program of study.
Further details can be found here.
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I enrolled before the eligible time period. Can I still qualify for the Employment Pledge?
Rick: Initially, this is a pilot program only for new students. While current students are not eligible, we encourage you to fulfill these same commitments to achieve a 3.0 GPA and to work actively with career services. We are confident that if you use Westwood’s Career Success Plan fully, you will find a job.
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