New York, NY (February 8, 2010) -- Grace Institute graduates were able to network with representatives from over 30 companies and community partners at the school’s Career Day. During the two-hour event on Tuesday, 100 Grace students gave out resumes and sat down with an average of 10 employers each: that’s 1,000 interviews in one day. 

The turnout of so many companies and community partners attending Grace’s Career Day is a testament to the strong belief employers have in the school’s tuition-free business skills program for women and as they continue to support Grace during the recession. “In an increasingly technology driven world, the power of personal relationships still counts,” said Mary Mulvihill, Executive Director of Grace Institute.  “Our employers feel they are part of our mission, and they are.  They have stayed in touch through this tough, tough time.”

Getting a full-time job is now often a two- and three-step process.  While Grace Institute remains committed to helping its graduates find full-time work with benefits, the school is also actively working with employers who have well-paid temporary or part-time positions for graduates as well.  These types of jobs not only may lead to full-time positions, they also help graduates sustain their families and keep hope alive during this period of record unemployment numbers.

Employers from the healthcare, education, and government sectors continue to look to Grace for qualified job candidates. Even those who may not have any positions open are still partnering with Grace Institute. “Our firm has gained a lot from our relationship with Grace over the past 21 years, and we look forward to continuing to work together as things improve,” says one long-time Grace employment partner.

As a result of the Career Day, Grace now has dozens of job orders from employers which has generated many follow-up interviews for its graduates. ““In exchange for our commitment to providing top notch candidates, they keep our program and students in mind when they have open positions,” said Mary Mulvihill.

Grace Institute’s Business Skills Program trains over 300 underserved NYC-area women each year in computer and office skills for jobs in administrative, clerical, secretarial, and other office support positions. Courses include the Microsoft Office Suite, business writing and math, and office procedures. As a tuition-free program, Grace Institute makes it financially possible for women to obtain concrete skills they can take to any office setting and helps them find jobs that give them continued economic security.

“Going through the program and being able to learn Microsoft OfficeSuite, how to write a memo, putting together a resume, was amazing and it’s incredible that there is a school like this for women,” says Jennifer Ward, a recent Grace graduate. “Never having had an office background before, I was able to learn so much and I feel extremely prepared. I can compete now.”

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