Chi Omega’s Tools for Success
Author: Morgan G. / Editor: Ariana W. / Photographer: Elizabeth C.
In late October of this year, the Gamma chapter of Chi Omega (Chi O) hosted its very first Career Prep Party. As a chapter, Chi O values, “Scholarship, involvement on campus, community service, striving in our careers, personal development, and sisterhood above all else;” values are proven in the organization and proceedings of the chapter’s Career Prep Party.
The event kicked off with a resume workshop given by Sarah Pearson, a guest speaker from the FSU Career Center faculty. Sarah advised the women on how to improve their resumes to demonstrate their professionality and best represent their individual achievements. While this may have been Chi O’s first Career Prep Party, the chapter has held many professional workshops in the past, showing its long-held values in scholarship and success. These workshops proved beneficial in themselves, but the Chi O women sought to take this a step further, engaging these workshops in a hands-on way.
Kylie K., a junior at Florida State University and Chi O’s current Director of Career and Personal Development originally developed her idea for the Career Prep Party this spring when reflecting on past workshops offered by the chapter. “These workshops were always so helpful, but I felt like I was never able to apply the content learned in the workshops.” What sets the Career Prep Party apart from its workshop predecessor is a period of allotted time directly after the workshop for each sister to apply the skills they just learned to their resumes. The women are encouraged to seek, provide and take advantage of the resources for academic and professional success alike. Resources like the FSU Career Center provide insight as well as job opportunities, but it is not the only resource the chapter draws on.
Chi O women with excellent resumes and experience in the application process volunteer to be designated “Resume Reviewers.” These sisters are tasked with assisting the sisters after the workshop to create and shape an impactful resume designed for success.
Through the design and organization of the Career Prep Party, it is evident that the sisters of Chi O are a group of driven women who value sisterhood as a means to push and encourage each other to surpass their goals and give them the right skills to do so. As Kylie says, “ By hosting this event, I am able to strengthen my sisters’ resumes to make sure when they are applying for jobs or internships, they are putting their best foot forward.” The Career Prep Party focused on the construction of a strong and comprehensive resume that goes beyond exemplifying Chi O’s mission for career success but comes to show their dedication to the personal development of character. Through educating the sisters on forming a resume and working with each other to follow through, the Career Prep Party also gives the sisters confidence in their achievements and allows them to show the best version of themselves to any position they set their mind to. It is without a doubt that Chi O’s first Career Prep Party was a success sending the sisters of the Gamma chapter off into the competitive world of employers with the tools to succeed and the endless support and encouragement of their sisters.