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Professional Skills Development Program
About the Program
The Professional Skills Development (PSD) program equips students with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to apply for scholarships, internships, and jobs. Through an interactive approach, students develop essential skills such as time management, resume/CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, professional email communication, and more.
Program Objective
This program is a supplement to other Paper Airplanes programs. In the English program, our students learn English by attending weekly one-on-one lessons with a native speaker. In addition, many students complete multiple courses in the Women in Tech program. Once students develop their English and technical skills, the Professional Skills Development program ensures that they are prepared to reach their educational or career goals.
Workshops
In addition to weekly classes, we prepare workshops that are offered by specialists in select subjects. Topics for the workshops include how to search for jobs, what qualifications may be required, and how to answer interview questions.
Mock Interviews
Students are required to attend mock interviews with professionals in their area of study or interest. The interviewers provide feedback on performance and may ask them to repeat the interview so they can improve.
Our Impact
Spring 2023
35 students joined the program; these are the graduates of the English and Women in Tech programs.
17.1% of them secured either a job opportunity or a scholarship with the help of their mentors.
Fall 2023
42 students enrolled.
11.9% of them are in progress toward their goals.
Another 11.9% of them secured jobs or scholarships!
Spring 202437 new students have joined and are just starting their journey this semester!
If you’re interested in enrolling in the program, review the available applications HERE.
PSD Volunteers
Bela Salazar
Program mentor
Bela is volunteering with Paper Airplanes in the PSD mentor program. She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, the famous home of Elvis Presley and city of barbecue, where her family still lives today. She studied political science in Colorado and is now studying international relations online with Harvard University. She spends most of her time outside in 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 try to provide insight into the professional and academic domains through her teaching and leadership experience.
Courtney Bailey
Program mentor
Courtney is 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 academic pursuits 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 spirit have 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
Robert is a recent human nutrition PhD graduate currently living in the UK. He loves traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. As a mentor in the PSD program, he aims to use his experience in the academic world to provide as much help as he can by giving tailored guidance and advice to each of his mentees. He enjoys being a mentor and has met many great people from around the globe. Robert is excited to be part of the Paper Airplanes team, which makes a real difference in the lives of so many.
Shilpa Chaudhary
Program mentor
Shilpa is from New Delhi, India and studied public policy and management at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Shilpa has seven years of experience in advertising, strategy, and learning and development communication training and has 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.”
What Our Students Say
"I'm thrilled to express my gratitude for the Professional Skills Development Program.
As I dive into applying for scholarships and jobs, I've realized your program has been a game-changer for me. Now I see the naive mistakes I used to make before, and I owe this newfound clarity to the Professional Skills Development Program.
I cannot thank you guys enough for your tremendous effort and dedication."
Mohammad Yahia FallahaWhat Our Students Say
"I would like to thank my mentor, We met weekly.
She helped me in applying for job opportunities and also for scholarships. She supported me always and I am really grateful for her help. I would like to encourage everyone to apply for this program when it opens again because it won't only let you apply for job opportunities but also help you to apply with great confidence.
Finally, I would like to thank Paper Airplanes for this very helpful opportunity."
Sara ZinoWhat Our Students Say
"This program guided me to craft an effective CV and resume, structure and deliver impactful business presentations, write a professional business email, and cover all time management strategies.
Moreover, one of the most important aspects covered in this program is to provide an environment to do a mock interview with a monitor who provided constructive feedback to enhance my performance in interviews."
Ahmad AlkhalilWhat Our Students Say
"One of the best decisions I made in 2023 was participating in the Professional Skills Development program. The mentorship program has been very helpful and instrumental in advancing my professional career. I am immensely grateful to Mr. Sinan and my mentor Ms. Samara, for sharing their real-life experiences and skill sets that can be applied not only to my professional career but also to my personal life. They helped me with my resume, prepared me for interviews, and everything else in between. As a result of the program, I feel more comfortable and ready for the next chapter of my career."
Mohammad Ikbal Alboushi
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