On March 8th, The Murphy Institute hosted “What’s Next?”, a career networking event for students and alumni.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the majority-female networkers from CWA, 32BJ, AFSCME, Retail Action Project, New Guild, NYCHA and NYSNA, along with an SPS Career Services advisor, met with students and alumni. The networkers and students had informal conversations about how to improve their careers within the various fields represented.
Donald LaHuffman, an alum from the class of 2015, summed up his experience of the night:
“I learned the real professions that people are doing from Urban Studies. They are making a difference in the city, the community, the nation.”
Other attendees expressed enthusiasm about talking with people from different employment sectors. Overall, the evening was a smashing success. We look forward to organizing more events like this in the future.
Photo features Union Semester Spring 2016 students
January 25 saw the arrival of a new crop of Union Semester students to the Murphy Institute. Students spent the next four days diving into the labor movement, learning about and from each other, and interviewing with potential organizations.
Some highlights include:
Social Justice Milestones
Students were asked to do a short presentation on an important moment that brought them to seek social justice as a passion and/or career.
Social Justice Milestones
The Panels
The Working in the Movement panelists talked about their current jobs at unions, plus how they got there. Our panel: Organizer Mary Clinton (Union Semester 2011) from CWA District 1 , Communications staff Rachel Van Raan-Welch (Union Semester 2012) from CIR SEIU, and Ed Yoo, the director of the NYSNA Research Department.
Mary, Rachel, Ed
Some tremendous Union Semester alumni came to speak about their semesters! We welcomed Brittany Anderson (Spring ’14) of Retail Action Project, Ryan Richardson (Fall ’07) with Cian, future member of Union Semester class of 2036 (pictured directly below). Hanalei Ramos (Spring ’15) of the Responsible Endowment Coalition and Liam Lynch (Fall ’13) with NYCOSH are pictured below. Thank you to Sam Valente (Fall ’14) for moderating!
Workshops
Eduardo Gonzalez Jr. from the Cornell University Extension led a terrific anti-oppression training.
During an anti-oppression training with Eduardo Gonzalez jr from the Cornell University Extension
Anti Oppression Training with Eduardo Gonzalez jr with the Cornell University Extension
Students participated in a simulation organizing campaign, involving “house calls” with various Murphy staff people.
“House calls” during a practice organizing drive
Professor Josh Bienstock took students through a presentation and discussion of collective bargaining, its pitfalls and potentials.
Interviews with Host Organizations
Interview prep with Labor Studies team member and Public Speaking instructor Laurie Kellogg
Interview with the 1199 SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund mentor
Interviews with TWU Local 100 mentors
Interviews with LiUNA Local 1010 mentors
After a long afternoon of interviews
Interview with the Emerald Cities mentor
Interviews with the CSEA mentors
Thursday evening, students made signs to take to a rally supporting workers at a restaurant downtown.
Union Semester is underway again! 15 students have joined us from 5 states, 2 countries, and 4 New York City boroughs for an intensive semester-long immersion in the world of worker justice. Continue reading New York Union Semester Fall 2014→
A conversation about workers, communities and social justice
Need help with the Commons?
Email us at commonshelpsite@gmail.com so we can respond to your questions and requests. Please email from your CUNY email address if possible. Or visit our help site for more information:
