For one recent Chicago grad, going back for a high school diploma resulted in much more than she’d expected. Not only did 20-year-old Destiny Wright graduate from Ombudsman Chicago last month, but she also landed a job with the school as an outreach specialist. She was among a few of her peers who were offered employment opportunities immediately after graduation.
In their roles on the summer outreach team, the recent graduate hires worked closely with Ombudsman outreach specialists, fielding inbound student inquiries and conducting proactive outreach. The graduate hires have enhanced their professional phone etiquette skills as they learn how to make calls to parents and students, and they are gaining grassroots marketing experience as they work with the teams to conduct neighborhood outreach. With the addition of the recent graduates, the outreach team has seen a significant increase in both the number of returning students and new student inquiries.
“We are extremely proud of our graduates, and we felt that it was important to give them the opportunity to gain professional experience while connecting with potential students and sharing their success stories,” said Tammie Samuels, administrative recruitment and retention assistant. “It’s a great fit for our graduates and for our program because potential students identify best with our recent graduates, and graduates feel empowered by helping other students get back on track.”
A Chicago Public Schools Options School Program, Ombudsman Chicago offers out-of-school and at-risk teens a second chance at achieving academic success while preparing them for continuing education and a career. With a core goal to help each student form a foundation of success that they can build upon and prepare for the future, Ombudsman provides an environment where students are empowered and encouraged.
“We’ve made nearly 1,000 phone calls to parents and students, and with each call, I always say that the challenges you go through in life are going to either push you forward or drag you deeper into a hole — the choice can be yours,” said Destiny Wright. “It feels good to actually see the difference and impact that we are making by showing people where we’ve been and where we are now.”
Ombudsman offers open enrollment throughout the school year at its three convenient Chicago locations on the Northwest, West and South Sides. Learn more at www.chicagodiploma.com
