From classrooms to careers: GCU students get a head start before graduation

Grand Canyon University is preparing students for their future careers by placing them in the workforce before they graduate from college.

The university has many programs that allow students to step into their future roles as part of their studies, with some students taking on versions of the job itself.

Education students can step into local school districts as substitute teachers, and nursing students can work in local hospitals.

One Grand Canyon University student shares workforce experience

Seth Mason, a GCU student earning a computer numerical control machine certificate, said having the ability to train alongside local manufacturers is helping him narrow down his career path.

“Not only has it been informative, given me skills that I never thought I would have outside of this program … along with that, I’ve been able to apply and interview for a few different companies,” he said during a Tuesday press event.

Steven Sheets, president and CEO of Southwest Behavioral and Human Services, said his company accepts GCU interns to train them in mental health care.

“We brought on bachelor-level and master-level students to work in our housing programs to understand our electronic health records, to understand the individuals we serve better,” Sheets said. “Then, when they graduate, they get a job with us full-time. They can work nights, they can work weekends, they can work odd shifts.”

The partnership helps employees get the hang of the system before officially joining the team, he added.

“Educational settings are great. Getting into actually doing counseling or social work or psychology services with individuals is sometimes a very hard transition to make. And so, the ways that we’ve created pathways have been successful,” Sheets said.

Sherman Elliott, dean of GCU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said the university is helping the workforce expand by thousands each year.

“We have 14,000 students in counseling alone throughout the country. About 1,300 of those are in Arizona in the counseling program,” he said.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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