Panther GROW
Launch Careers with Panther GROW
Panther GROW® (Guided Reflection on Work) uses brief, structured conversations between student employees and supervisors to help students connect the skills and knowledge they are gaining in the classroom with the work they are doing, and vice versa.
2025 Panther GROW outcomes at UWM
- 24.4% increase in perceived job-to-classes connections: 91.4% of Panther GROW participants agreed that they could see connections between their job and their academics, compared to only 67% of non-GROW participants.
- Panther GROW gives students a 21.1% advantage in their self-perceived capacity for self-reflective, lifelong learning.
- Panther GROW students report increased confidence in all Panther Edge skills including professionalism (+15.1%) and community engagement (+16.9%) compared to non-participants.
GROW® is used with permission from ©University of Iowa
Panther Grow Questions
Example questions to ask your students during a Panther GROW conversation.
- How is this job fitting in with your academics?
- What are you learning here at work that is 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 are learning here at work that you will use in your chosen profession?
- How do the things that you are learning at work and in the classroom connect to your personal values/make the world a better place?
Panther GROW Success Stories
Chris Hoffman, University Housing
“GROW stands out because it makes me reflect upon how I address communication of my job duties to those who have not been performing the same type of work for almost 30 years. I tend to assume that others know what I know, and this program grants time to pause and find ways to communicate efficiently, which allows for better assistance from my helpers and aids the student’s growth/understanding.”
Hannah Murphy, UREC
“The GROW conversations offer a guided reflection that goes beyond the classic ‘How are your classes going this semester?’ As a supervisor, it’s neat to watch a student employee use critical thinking to draw parallels between their part time job and their academics.”
Kira Hartley, Children’s Learning Center
“Utilizing GROW conversations has reframed how I approach ongoing training with my staff. Rather than assume they know certain skills or concepts, using GROW provides a window into what they are actually thinking about related to their work. I would recommend using GROW conversations to all supervisors as it leads to more focused, individualized training and coaching. Students also seem to enjoy talking about H work-school connection more than I anticipated!”