Shahla Bahavar, a public services director at the libraries, has been working closely with the Career Planning and Placement Center to provide assistance with its First Generation College Student Mentor Program. Most recently, she gave students an overview of the USC Libraries' resources for career development at a panel presentation on Feb. 18.
Bahavar joined panelists from the USC Graduate School and the USC Rossier School of Education for a discussion about career development and exploration through internships, fellowships, graduate school, and research. USC's Career Center invited Bahavar to present information about the research process and library resources and services, including LibGuides and subject guides, research help (in-person and 24/7 through virtual reference), and instruction services such as consultations and one-on-one instruction. The audience included undergraduate and graduate students, as well as USC alumni and members of the USC community from numerous academic departments.
Through its programs and events, the Career Planning and Placement Center exposes students to departments and resources at USC that can help with their career development. The program for first generation college students pairs students with USC alums who also were first-generation college students. The mentors guide students as they navigate the unique issues and challenges they may confront. In addition, the program gives them real-world experience in the working world through mentorships that are focused on their future professional and career development.
The program coordinator Llisa Williams invited Bahavar to participate in this year's panel discussion. The two met last May at the Diversity in Academic Libraries annual conference at Leavey Library, where Bahavar gave a presentation about the USC's Neighborhood Academic Initiative Program and Williams gave a presentation about the mentoring program for first-generation college students. The two kept in touch and continued exploring the possibilities for collaboration between the libraries and the Career Center on the program for first-generation students and other career-development programs.