Sharply dressed young men and women moved from table to table. They shook hands, sat down and presented their resumes.
It was only practice, but for many, it was the first interview they’ve done.
West Lowndes High School hosted its fourth Interview Day on Friday. The event, which drew participation from approximately 20 local companies, gave students a chance to go over the fundamentals: A firm handshake, eye contact, a clean appearance and preparing a resume.
Jennifer Rollison is the business vocational teacher for the Lowndes County School District. Because LCSD does not have a centralized vo-tech center, her classes are presently only offered at WLHS. So she invites students from the other two campuses to join each year. This year, students from New Hope High School came to WLHS to participate.
The companies present varied from Aurora Flight Sciences to temporary work agencies, to Captain D’s. The interviews varied from hypothetical practice to an actual job opportunity.
“In the past, I’ve had companies offer students jobs right there,” Rollison said.
She focuses on allowing her students the chance to see how many different careers operate by organizing job shadows, touring offices and offering interview experience. On Friday, her pride was easy to see.
“I’m so excited to see the handshakes,” Rollison said while watching students move table to table in the school’s gymnasium.
For WLHS students D’quaylom Brown, 17, and Dedarrious Barr, 16, it was the first time they had put together a resume. They said Rollison taught them how to present themselves and assemble their resumes. Both said they intend to join the military after high school, but that this experience will benefit them later in life.
Charlotte Verdell works for Southern Ionics. She came to the event to help impact local youth and prepare them for the real world. She’s also keeping an eye out for young scientists.
“You want to try to retain the local talent,” Verdell said. “I was encouraged, because almost everyone I have spoken to has wanted to go into science or medicine.”
Verdell said she told students too make college visits and explore the options available to pursue the careers they are interested in.
James Goodman was there Friday representing PACCAR. In his third appearance at Interview Day, Goodman said he tries to encourage students to speak about themselves with confidence.
“My main thing is teaching them how to interview and conduct themselves,” Goodman said. “I remind them to just relax, because the best person to talk about themselves is them.”
He said this year’s group was the most prepared of the three years he has participated. The handshakes, appearance and eye contact were solid, he said. Goodman said PACCAR makes it a priority to come to such events to invest in their potential work force.
“It’s very important to invest,” Goodman said. “It’s not enough to complain about your workforce.”
Although PACCAR is not likely to hire any of these kids this year, the idea is to plant themselves in the mind of young, engineering-inclined talent. Goodman said plenty of students had long-term goals already in mind.
“I was impressed by a sophomore who knew she wanted to be a computer engineer,” Goodman said. “She already knew what courses she would need to take.”
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