Paper Example on Working in EOPS: Enhancing Communication Skills

Introduction

Working in the EOPS office in a community college has positioned me to carry out various responsibilities in the institution. One of the responsibilities is arranging the files of the student and making phone calls to remind them of their appointment. In the front desk, I helped in translating calls from Vietnamese students. Doing this, it has helped me to identify my communication skills and I have to consider ways of enhancing it especially working in communications-related job field (Crawford, 2011). While communicating with others, I discovered that I can be able to read body languages and non-verbal cues and this enabled me to assist the facility in overcoming the hostile communication they face. Another responsibility involved reminding students on the next appointment and checked on new application posted online.

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I conducted a meeting with the supervisor so as to carry out a mentor interview that ensured I met all educational requirements and have enough experience for the job. Also, I was involved in canceling appointments for students who did not attend the orientation. As a learner, I was able to learn how to create folders for new students and how to prepare presentations and programs for May classes like Care Program, Guardian scholars program and EOPS. I learned how to print the daily report in the system that pulls out all files in the next appointments. Also, I was able to learn how to do the verification sheet for a new application and putting it in the brand new application box where the supervisor approves it. Additionally, I learned on how to make the EOPS peer review for students before they book an appointment and also collected emails from mails' room especially for those students that had changed their addresses or moved in the different estate.

Working in EOPS office has enabled me to acquire more knowledge in the field like how to log in on SAR and in making appointments on the software. Also, I was able to gain knowledge on how to transfer a phone call in the whole building and how to set up the printer. My value has been explicit and implicit in my contacts with clients through selecting the right information from numerous sources and transforming into useful knowledge. A major conflict that I have encountered in the semester is that of a student who yelled at my co-worker. To reconcile the problem, I stayed in control of the situation and tried to resolve the problem.

The organization is well strategized as through it I have been able to learn on how to carry out various activities. The management is well organized with workers willing to carry out their duties well. For instance, my supervisor played a key role in guiding me throughout the semester. He could assign me new projects and guide me through any challenging situations. Working with the supervisor has enabled me to work very closely hence giving me enough duties and responsibilities of fulfilling my internship requirements. The practicum seminar has assisted me in advancing my skill of communication. Working in the facility has made me realize the importance of active listening. Active listening creates a professional relationship where students can just speak out on their issues and staffs can work to meet their point of need thus helping the facility to grow. My communication skill has advanced while working in the practice course since I find it easy to make an appointment for students with their counselors and be able to carry out new projects for the school.

The practice course has guided my assessment and intervention strategy by carrying out various duties. I have been able to assess the progress of students especially those that perform poorly in their academic through ensuring they make an appointment with a counselor and get tutoring help. Also, I renewed the contract for borrowing Chromebook where students could fill out all their information. I also intervened on student's social security especially on loan files hence protecting their privacy. While working with clients, my strength has been on communication skills whereby I have been able to interpret various body languages and non-verbal cues that are hostile to the institution. I was able to assess new applications in the verification sheet of students. In my practice course, the most challenging thing has been working with rude students and those that had no respect for staffs. Also, I saw it stressful to remember new things that I have been shown. However, I have managed to solve the problem though letting those in charge take control of situations and letting my co-workers help me with where I cannot manage or where I cannot remember thus trying to break things down and explain everything to me in a clear manner. If there is anything that I would like to change about in the practicum seminar is on management. The facility should have enough supervisors and staffs that work towards a common goal of ensuring every student in the facility is served with the best services (Crawford, 2011). Increasing the number of staffs will enable the needs of students to be identified easily and be solved in an easy manner for the benefit of students. Also, I will create an environment that has respect for all individuals irrespective of their status thus ensuring proper work effectively.

Reference

Crawford, L. (2011). Extended Opportunity Programs and Services for Community College Retention.