Giving Tuesday, held the week after Thanksgiving, is right around the corner and students who work for the Telephone Outreach Program (TOP) are eagerly preparing. TOP not only gives students an opportunity to build job skills and learn about the off-campus community, but it also allows them to make a difference at their own school. Many of the gifts that support our school come from the efforts of our students themselves!

Eliza writes a thank-you note

For parents, receiving a call from a student is an opportunity for you to help a young person develop their job skills, provide advice that could shape their time in college, and support the growth of the University of Portland. Students like Eliza, a sophomore biology student on the pre-med track, chose to work at TOP specifically to get the opportunity to talk to alumni and parents. She gets study tips and learns more about the interests of her fellow students while she makes a difference for her school.

Giving Back

Like most of their classmates, TOP students love giving back. For upperclassmen like Nick, a senior marketing major, these calls are also a chance to help the parents of younger students by sharing advice from his four years at UP. As Nick prepares for graduation, he advises new students to “be nice to your professors and kind to your fellow classmates. You’re with them for four years, so you better make a good impression.”

Students will benefit from the generosity of the UP family of supporters throughout their time at UP. Giving Tuesday, which will be held on November 27 this year, is a day to celebrate those who give back and to support causes that we value. TOP is just one of the many ways that you can support students on Giving Tuesday. In addition to the conversations they hold, TOP students are also a great resource to learn about special events and opportunities to support the university.

Have a Conversation

Ben chats with a donor

Any TOP caller would tell you that the most important thing you can do to support them is to take the time to have a conversation. For Ben, a junior business major, his favorite part about his job is the interest that parents show in their students’ activities. His friend Leah, a nursing student, is grateful for tips on managing her workload and still finding time to enjoy the college experience. During Giving Tuesday, parents will have the opportunity to support whatever their students are passionate about, ranging from sports to academics to clubs.

As important as fundraising is, it is the connections with parents and other members of the UP community that make TOP calls worthwhile. These students love the chance to learn from parents and to practice their communication skills on the job. During Giving Tuesday, or any other time of the year, you can help a student make the most of their time at UP just by picking up the phone.