"I appeal to teachers...to remember that they above all others are the consecrated servants of the democratic ideas in which alone this country is truly a distinctive nation—ideas of friendly and helpful intercourse between all and the equipment of every individual to serve the community by his own best powers in his own best way."
-John Dewey
Public Sphere Pedagogy (PSP) embeds a "public sphere" in first-year courses, moving students from a typical classroom setting to a dialogue-rich environment. It focuses students' course reading, class discussion, and research efforts on contemporary public issues and places students in dialogue with diverse campus and community members. These public events provide students with opportunities to behave as adult participants in processes of dialogue and debate vital to the health of a democracy. PSP aims to increase students' sense of civic efficacy and personal responsibility. PSP students are more likely to persist to graduation than non-PSP students.
First-Year Experience collaborates with others in the development of civic engagement education. We work to contribute to students’ development and address the needs of our campus and community by taking John Dewey’s vision of public education to heart. This is accomplished through the use of Public Sphere Pedagogy and public events in first-year courses.
* includes ‘Strongly Agree’ and ‘Agree’ statements
I’m ready to apply! Where’s the link?
- Check Handshake in mid-March for FYE job postings! FYE hires in spring semesters (after Spring Break) for the following fall semester, and contracts are given on a semester-to-semester basis; however, many staff are rehired for further semesters, and it is common for staff to stay with FYE until graduation.
I’ve applied! Now what?
- Keep an eye on your csuchico email for an email from fye@csuchico.edu with a link to a Bookings page to schedule your in-person interview! FYE conducts in-person interviews for *all prospective employees, because the work we do is entirely in-person. No remote work will be assigned or authorized for student staff at any point, so we like to start in-person from the very beginning of a staff member’s employment.
* Zoom interviews are available for incoming transfer students who are not yet on campus and looking for work for the upcoming fall semester. If you are eligible for a Zoom interview, further details will be provided when the interview is scheduled.
I got an interview!! How do I prepare?
- Follow the instructions in your email! Each role has a different focus for the interview, based on the expectations for the role. Prospective Event Coordinators are asked to complete an assigned task (details are provided in the email with the Bookings page) and walk the interviewers through their process in completing the task, including:
- tools used (Canva, Google Drive, etc.)
- skills required (creativity, time management, feedback, etc.)
- total time spent
- FYE Tip: If the assigned task feels challenging, that’s okay! Bring your best effort at completing the task and your questions about how to improve the final product. FYE is a learning community, and we don’t expect incoming staff to come with all of the skills they need to do the job. We provide a lot of on the job training and asking for feedback is highly encouraged.
