“But there was such a nurturing atmosphere, and it seemed like [professors] actually cared about how we came out, and they explained how to make ourselves more marketable. They gave me the professional development I needed.”
Rush also credits the school’s Center for Student Professional Development for advancing his skills.
“From CSPD and from a required business course in professional development strategies, I learned everything from résumé writing to interviewing skills to networking,” Rush said.
Not only did this emphasis on professional development help Rush in his job search, it also helped him improve his public speaking skills, which ultimately landed him the speaking role at this year’s Commencement ceremony.
As president of the Business School’s Society for Human Resource Management, Rush honed another skill — leadership. And as an added benefit, his student professional organization helped him obtain internships in human resource management at Sesame Place, GlaxoSmithKline and the City of Philadelphia.
Now, he wants to help others in the Temple neighborhood, and surrounding community, chart a similar path to success.
Often, Rush’s neighbors stop him when he is walking to school, with his backpack and books, and ask him advice about applying for colleges. It has become second nature for him to encourage and advise them, he said.
Eventually Rush wants to work for a nonprofit, helping inner-city residents develop their professional development skills, such as how to dress for interviews, how to write résumés and cover letters and how best to respond in job interviews.
“I see the potential in people, and those skills aren’t covered in school. Someone needs to help them, and I want to do it,” Rush said.
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