About the Program
The Professional Skills Development program was created to give college students advice, tools, and guidance to help them apply for scholarships, internships, and jobs. Students are divided into classes of 15. In this interactive program, they learn how to manage their time, write a resume/CV and cover letter, prepare for interviews, write business emails, and other essential skills.
Workshops
In addition to weekly classes, we prepare workshops that are offered by specialists in select subjects. Topics for the workshop include how to search for jobs, what qualifications are required, and how to answer interview questions.
Mentors
Our mentors follow students' progress. Students are invited to share their resume with mentors and instructors for review. Also, students are required to submit a job or college application, which mentors help with.
PSD volunteers
Bela Salazar
Program mentor
Bela is volunteering with Paper Airplanes inthe new mentor program.She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, the famous homeof Elvis Presley and cityof barbeque, where her family still lives today. She studied politicalsciencein Colorado and is now studying international relationsonline with Harvard University. She spends most of her time outsidein the sun with her dog named Ducky,and with family and friends. She loves traveling, especially when she can practice Spanish and Portuguese, and hopes to be a writer. She wanted to volunteer with Paper Airplanes to meet new and interesting people and to tryto provide insight into the professional and academic domains through her teaching and leadership experience.
Courtney Bailey
Program mentor
Courtneyis a respected international educator and businesswoman with a profound commitment to service and humanitarian development. Courtney's work spans across diverse global communities and she is driven by a passion for uplifting communities and fostering cultural understanding. She is pursuing a PhD in education, specializing in English language learning. Her academicpursuits reflect her dedication to empowering individuals through language education, which she firmly believes can break down barriers and open doors to new opportunities. Courtney's expertise and compassionate spirithave led her to collaborate with individuals and organizations across the globe. As an educational and professional consultant, she leverages her deep understanding of language and culture to inspire lasting change, particularly in conflict-affected countries.
Robert Schillinger
Program mentor
I am a recent humannutritionPhD graduate currently living in the UK. I love travelling, meeting new people and learning about different cultures. As a mentor in the Professional Skills Development program, I aim to use my experience in the academic world to provide as much help as I can by giving tailored guidance and advice to each of my mentees. I enjoy being a mentor and have met many great people from around the globe. I am excited to be part of the Paper Airplanes team,which makes a real difference in the lives of so many.
Shilpa Chaudhary
Program mentor
My name is Silpa Chaudhary, and I’m from New Delhi, India. I studied public policy and management at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta. I have seven years of experience in advertising, strategy, and learning and development communication training. I have a keen interest in behavioral science and neuromarketing. Volunteering with Paper Airplanes is a huge privilege and responsibility. Together, we must create a more harmonious world.
