Introduction

As student workers transition out of their roles in academic libraries, the offboarding process becomes a crucial part of their overall experience. Offboarding is more than just wrapping up tasks and returning materials; it’s about providing closure, offering reflection, and ensuring that the time spent working in the library has been meaningful and constructive. At Goldey-Beacom College, we recognize that a thoughtful and empathetic offboarding process can leave a lasting positive impression on our student workers, shaping their views on workplace culture and professional development.

Why Offboarding Matters for Student Workers

Student workers often juggle multiple responsibilities, balancing their academic pursuits with part-time employment. As they prepare to leave their positions, whether due to graduation, study abroad, or the end of a project, it’s essential that their transition is handled with care. Offboarding is an opportunity to acknowledge their contributions, gather valuable feedback, and provide them with tools for their future careers.

Reflective Practices During Offboarding

At Goldey-Beacom College, we integrate reflective practices into the offboarding process for student workers. This involves structured exit interviews where students can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. These conversations are not just about collecting feedback; they are an opportunity for students to reflect on what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and how their work in the library has contributed to their academic and personal development.

We also encourage students to complete a reflective survey, where they can articulate the skills they’ve gained and how these will be applicable in their future endeavors. This reflective practice not only benefits the student but also provides the library with insights that can be used to improve the experience for future workers.

Providing Closure and Celebration

Offboarding is a time to celebrate the achievements of our student workers. Whether they’ve contributed to a major project, helped organize the stacks, or provided excellent customer service, their efforts deserve recognition. At Goldey-Beacom College, we make it a point to celebrate these milestones, hosting small gatherings or presenting certificates of appreciation to acknowledge their hard work.

Providing closure is also essential. We ensure that student workers have the opportunity to formally say goodbye to their colleagues and mentors, fostering a sense of community and gratitude. These gestures help students leave their roles with positive memories and a sense of accomplishment.

Supporting the Next Steps

As student workers transition out, we offer support for their next steps, whether that’s entering the job market, pursuing further education, or taking on new challenges. This support includes providing references, helping them update their resumes, and offering career advice. By doing so, we reinforce our commitment to their long-term success, showing that their time with us was more than just a job—it was an investment in their future.

Gathering Feedback for Continuous Improvement

Offboarding is also an opportunity for us to learn and grow. We actively seek feedback from student workers about their experience, asking them what worked well and where we could improve. This feedback is invaluable as we continuously refine our onboarding, training, and overall work environment to better serve future student workers.

Conclusion

The offboarding process is a vital part of the student worker experience at Goldey-Beacom College. By approaching it with empathy, reflection, and support, we ensure that our student workers leave with a sense of accomplishment, preparedness for the future, and positive memories of their time in the library. Offboarding is not just an end—it’s a bridge to new opportunities and a chance to leave a lasting, positive impact on our students' professional journeys.