Steve: Learning About the Global Community

Steve Bakken wanted to put his undergraduate teaching degree to the test by volunteering. But, could he weave his professional expertise in human resources into the same effort and make it an even more meaningful experience? Could that opportunity also bring him in closer touch with the global community and help him develop professionally? According to Steve, performing volunteer work for an ESL (English as a Second Language) program seemed the perfect fit to accomplish his objectives.

“I found Volunteers of America-Minnesota and a few other organizations through a Google search,” Steve reports. “I had heard of Volunteers of America, contacted them, and started volunteering as an ESL tutor in the Level 1/Foundations class for their Adult High School Diploma program. Then, after noticing the students were struggling to find employment, I had the idea of conducting a career skills class. The school agreed it would benefit the students. The rest is history.”

Now, several times a month for the past year, Steve has stepped away from his job as a talent recruiter for Cargill to teach career skills to students of the Volunteers of America-Minnesota Adult High School Diploma program. Each week, his students, who are mainly immigrants from East African countries, anxiously wait to meet with Steve who teaches them how to complete job applications, helps them improve their resumes, and coaches them on effective interviewing techniques.

“The students need a lot of guidance,” Steve says. “They are easily confused by the legal questions on job applications and need to know little things, like that neatness is important. I help them understand what to expect in an interview, what’s appropriate to discuss, how to dress, and that punctuality is critical.” While Steve doesn’t actually place students in jobs, he hopes what they learn will help them improve their chances of securing meaningful employment. Steve points out that the students’ lack of a high school diploma is a huge obstacle. Steve reports, “These students need jobs for a good, hardworking adult without a high school diploma – and the job market is tough.”
 
Steve says his volunteer experience at Volunteers of America has been a rich cultural and professional development experience. He explains that because he works for an international
company, it’s especially important for him to be able to communicate effectively with the global community and understand people of different cultures at a deeper level. “I learn something new each day I volunteer. The students are very friendly and appreciative to be at the Volunteers of America school. They came to this country with nothing and are trying hard to make it,” Steve points out. “I want to help them succeed.”

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