FORT Sill, Okla. -- As the saying goes, two heads are better than one and the Army knows that well. They put that phrase into use by partnering with Cameron University and tapping its best resource: their students.
Through the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) students gain knowledge in a career field on post and Fort Sill gains a helping hand and fresh perspective.
"It's twofold, you know, you give a college student a job so they can earn income while they're going to school and if they like working for the government they may decide to continue on," said Fort Sill Director of Contracting Bernard Valdez.
SCEP allows the student to gain experience working for the government in a job related to their field of study. Most positions are paid and some also provide academic credit toward a degree. If the student successfully completes 640 hours of work within the SCEP program, they are eligible to be hired for a permanent position without going through the traditional hiring process.
Directorate of Contracting is one of the offices on post that uses the program. They have seen Cameron University students join their ranks and help develop their future work force.
"They're doing tasks for the contract specialist, tasks that help the specialist do other things. It really helps with manpower," said Valdez.
Other than attacking the workload, Valdez said, they're also very tech-savvy which adds to their utility.
"You know the SCEP employees are so used to dealing with the Internet and computers because of their college education. They come in and see the software and say 'I understand Windows, I know how this operates,' so they progress very quickly in the contracting field."
While their work is greatly appreciated, the agreement between Fort Sill and Cameron University ensures education is still the number one priority.
"This is secondary, this is experience. We're not looking for someone who is strictly in production mode. We want the student to realize their college education comes first. I keep stressing that because we want them to finish school and if they have a good experience here in contracting and this is what they would like to do, we want them to come work here.
Deidra Zerzavy is one such former student and recent graduate. She officially become a civil service employee in January and said she had a helping hand from the Internship Office at CU.
"She (Bernadette Lonzanida, CU internship director) really went to bat for me to get this position and I think she does that for everyone. I just happened to be there at the right time when there were positions available. It just kind of fell into place from there and I was one of the lucky ones who got my foot in the door."
Newly married and going to school full-time, Zerzavy said the workers in contracting were very understanding and patient as she tried to comprehend all of the regulations and jargon.
"My first day here it was like, what in the world they're speaking a different language. That was probably the hardest part for me because I don't have a military background," said Zerzavy.
The offices who participate in SCEP also work around the students school schedule. The student then has to do their part in maintaining their grades but Zerzavy said the opportunity is well worth the hard work.
"They have great benefits and you know the pay is really good compared to what you're going to get in the private sector. I think it's great. I can't imagine what I'd be doing right now if I didn't have this opportunity," said Zerzavy.
While Valdez is grateful to have extra workers he believes the students are also enjoying themselves as each one has wanted to continue on with their civil service career. As they progress with their studies and eventually earn their degree, they are able to fill open positions and smoothly transition from college into civil service.
"We work right alongside people that have been here 25 and 30 years so you get the richness of their knowledge along with the willingness to learn from the students," said Zerzavy.
Social Sharing