CWA 1180 - Press

Grad Degree in Mind? City Can Help
September 14, 2005
The Daily News

By LISA COLANGELO

CITY WORKERS interested in earning graduate degrees are eligible for partial or total tuition help through the Mayor's Graduate Scholarship Program.

The program covers a range of specialities, including public affairs, urban affairs and planning, social work, nursing and law.

All full-time city employees who have bachelor's degrees are eligible for the scholarships.

There are 38 schools participating in the program, including City University of New York, Fordham University, Cornell University, Pace University and New York University.

But the scholarships only cover certain programs at these schools, starting in September 2006.

According to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), employees should apply to their agency personnel office by Nov. 21.

If you are interested, get ready to do some writing. There are three essays to be submitted with the application.

Applicants must describe their present job responsibilities, why attending graduate school is important and what the experience will bring to their jobs in city government.

Last year almost 500 people applied and about 60 scholarships were awarded. Scholarship winners must remain full-time city employees while attending graduate school.

According to DCAS spokesman Mark Daly, award decisions are made by the participating colleges based on scholastic ability, leadership potential and range of knowledge and experience, and applicable test scores.

For applications and more details, check the Web site: www.nyc.gov/mgsp, or call (212) 669-4163.

That computes

City Controller William Thompson Jr. has created a joint computer training program with the Communications Workers of American Local 1180.

As part of the program, staff members from Thompson's office - who are members of Local 1180 - will be allowed to get training during work hours.

A series of half-day sessions will be held at union headquarters this month and continuing through November. The training includes use of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel.

"This is an important and unique program," Thompson said.

"Employees will be learning computer skills crucial to the increasingly technical demands of today's workplace during work hours."

lcolangelo@nydailynews.com

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