Berkeley College Summer Workshops give Rennert Students a Unique Career Skills Boost

This week marked the finale of Rennert International's exclusive three-part Career Development Workshop series, a collaboration with Berkeley College aimed at equipping international students with crucial career and academic skills. The hands-on workshops, led by Senior Leaders and Career experts at Berkeley, focused on U.S.-style resume building, LinkedIn strategies, and dynamic public speaking, all integral to the Rennert Experiential Approach to Language Learning (R.E.A.L. method).

“Navigating the competitive job market requires more than just listing your skills—it’s about making your resume stand out in a way that gets noticed by both human recruiters and automated systems”.

Jasmine Briggs Rogers, Senior Director of Career Services at Berkeley College, led the session, guiding students on how to create clean, concise resumes. Participants learned how to tailor sections like the Summary, Skills, and Experience, and how to optimize for keywords that improve visibility on career platforms. Jasmine also highlighted how a strong resume can support academic goals like securing internships, research positions, or graduate programs.

Amy Soricelli, Vice President of Career Services at Berkeley College, led a LinkedIn masterclass that emphasized building a powerful online presence. She showed students how to optimize their profiles—from crafting compelling headlines to showcasing projects in the “Featured” section. Amy also provided key insights on using LinkedIn for networking, encouraging students to connect with professors, alumni, and industry leaders to open doors to academic and career opportunities. She emphasized that starting conversations on LinkedIn is one of the easiest and most effective ways to network regardless of geography and build a 360 degree career boosting profile.

Maria T. Rivera, Director of Continuing Education at Berkeley College, delivered an energizing workshop on public speaking, teaching students seven proven techniques to master the art of dynamic presentations. From managing nerves and reducing filler words to using visual aids effectively, Maria equipped students with the tools to captivate audiences—whether in job interviews, research conferences, or classroom settings. Her high-energy session demonstrated how to engage and maintain an audience’s attention, helping students transform their speaking abilities into a powerful career asset.

Key Takeaways:

• Manage nerves and exude confidence
• Create instant connections with your audience
• Use your energy to captivate attention
• Reduce filler words and speak naturally
• Effectively incorporate visual aids
• Deliver memorable, impactful presentations

Together, the Berkeley Career Series workshops armed students with the skills needed to excel in both academic environments and competitive job markets in the US and at home. By enhancing communication, building a professional online presence, and boosting presentation skills, Rennert participants are now better prepared for success in their careers and future academic pursuits.

Students left the workshops with a sense of excitement, recognizing the unique advantage they gained as Rennert English language students. Experiential learning at Rennert and Berkeley College, located in the beating heart of New York City, has proven to be a game-changer for those seeking to accelerate their academic and career success.