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STAMP GROW

Employment during college helps contribute to student success when meaningful connections between learning in the classroom and learning on the job are made evident.

STAMP GROW (Guided Reflection on Work) uses brief, structured conversations between student employees and their supervisors to help students connect the skills and knowledge they are gaining in the classroom with the work they are doing, and vice versa. STAMP GROW is focused on making student employment a "high-impact activity" - one that requires students to reflect on their learning and connect their learning within and beyond the classroom.

My supervisors always made sure I work on things that will help me career-wise in the future. Everyone is so supportive.

Jochebed Caded, HR Student Assistant

Four Guiding Questions

STAMP GROW conversations are guided by four quick questions:

How is this job fitting in with your academics?
What are you learning here that’s helping you in school?
What are you learning in class that you can apply here at work?
Can you give me a couple of examples of things you’ve learned here that you think you’ll use in your chosen profession?

Ask the questions in your own way and weave them into your conversation naturally. We have created a list of additional questions that can be used. It can also be helpful to take notes during your conversations so that you can revisit those topics during later conversations.

Student Employment Learning Outcomes

By being employed in STAMP, 85% of student employees will be able to:

Routinely provide service that is positive, interpersonal, informative, professional, and solution-orientated.
Articulate their strengths and opportunities related to personal and professional development.
Think critically by identifying problems, considering a variety of solutions, and determining the best course of action.
Show an appreciation for diversity by displaying mutual respect and considering the experiences of others.
Identify how their work within STAMP is transferable to potential career paths in which they are interested.

STAMP Student Employee Learning Outcomes Report(s)

The End of Year survey examines the student employee learning outcomes expected of all STAMP student employees: Customer Service, Self-Awareness, Career Exploration, Critical Thinking, and Diversity, and Global Citizenship.

End of Year Survey (coming May)

STAMP GROW Employment Philosophy

My supervisors constantly encourage my growth as an employee. They are always willing to teach me new skills, answer questions, and offer advice.

Paola Sorto, Stamp Marketing Student Graphic Designer

STAMP Guided Reflection on Work (GROW®) is dedicated to enhancing the experience of our student employees as leaders within Stamp and our University of Maryland community through reflection and learning. Research shows that on-campus student employment contributes to student retention when meaningful connections between learning in the classroom and learning on the job are made evident.*

STAMP GROW uses brief, structured conversations between student employees and their supervisors to help students connect the skills and knowledge they are gaining in the classroom with their on-campus employment, and co-curricular experiences. Through GROW, STAMP also provides student employees with leadership and skill development , financial assistance, work experience, recognition, and service opportunities. STAMP GROW is focused on making student employment a "high-impact activity" - one that requires students to reflect on and connect their learning within and beyond the classroom. We hope to accomplish this with GROW conversations, continued development series, alumni networking event, reflection in staff meetings as well as self-guided development plans.

* Pike, G. R., Kuh, G. D., & Massa-McKinley, R. (2009). First-Year Students’ Employment, Engagement, and Academic Achievement: Untangling the Relationship Between Work and Grades. NASPA Journal 45(4), pp. 560–582.

Cermak, K. & Filkins, J. (2007), On-Campus Employment as a Factor of Student Retention and Graduation, The Journal of Student Employment 11(1), pp. 10-14

GROW used with permission of ®The University of Iowa

GROW Supervisors

The Stamp is committed to multiculturalism, excellence, and a positive work environment. It is our goal to make student employment a high-impact activity that allows students to reflect and integrate learning through STAMP GROW. GROW supervisors use the below resources in order to assist in the development of student employees.

Instructions at a Glance (3.28 MB)
Meeting Notes Template (1.13 MB)
Additional GROW Follow-Up Questions (1.15 MB)
Staff Meeting GROW Resources (19.25 MB)
E-mail or memo templates (1.05 MB)
Supervisor Reflection Guide (1.13 MB)
Resources on Campus (12.08 MB)
Guide to Self-Exploration (1.15 MB)
End of semester evaluation (82.83 KB)
STAMP GROW Timeline 2024-25 (1.02 MB)

We know that supervisors are doing great work with students, and we want to support you in your efforts. Please contact Stamp Human Resources (stamp-hr@umd.edu) if you have any questions or concerns about STAMP GROW.