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CWS Partner Feature: Ideastream Public Media

Outside of payroll, benefits, and recruiting new hires, Human Resource departments across the country have worked hard to engage their employees while working from home. Thanks to her remote Corporate Work Study job at Ideastream Public Media, McKayla ‘24 is learning the ins and outs of HR+, as her company calls it, with the help of Director of Employee Experience, Sara Hodgson.

Ideastream Public Media joined Saint Martin’s Corproate Work Study Program in 2020 after hearing boasting recommendations from current employees who previously worked with Saint Martin students at other organizations. Focused on building relationships, Ideastream thought it was the perfect opportunity to connect with local, younger audiences. Sara shares, “This program is a great avenue to get the younger generation involved and expose them to what public media is. We want to create buzz about our organizaton! Students will be looking for jobs someday and we want them to remember us and tell their friends and families about their experience.”

Working remotely from Saint Martin’s campus on her work day, McKayla has been instrumental in helping to maintain Ideastream’s culture. Through her research project on how to engage staff virtually, Sara was able to pull several of McKayla’s ideas and use them in her plans. McKayla’s current project involves interviewing staff members and asking them questions related to work and personal life. Eventually, her findings will be compiled into an interactive database for employees to learn more about one another. Not only will McKayla provide real work for the company, but will she will also gain exposure to various careers by hearing from employees across Ideastream.

Although both McKayla and Sara wish they could work together in person, the experience has proven valuable to both sides. They are exposing one another to new viewpoints and perspectives which enriches the work environment. Sara shares, “This program is rewarding all the way around. You are giving back to students while also giving them insight into what the current workplace looks like. While being remote stinks at times, it is our reality. What better way to expose students to that than through the work study program!”