From sophomores to seniors, students at
Windham High School were given the opportunity to speak to representatives from
more than 50 colleges, do mock interviews, listen to presentations on financial
aid and one from Sterling Rope CEO and president Carolyn Brodsy. They also were
able to talk to industry professionals last Monday at a college and career fair.
This was the third year for the annual event put on by JMG career counselor
Nicole Sturgis. Each year the event grows a little bigger with more to offer.
“This event is important because in the
past things like this were not offered. We need as much information going into
the world. A large scale event like this is inclusive to everyone in the school
no matter their aptitude,” said sophomore Caleb Schrock.
This year the sophomores were given
coaching before the event on items like handshaking and eye contact. They were
able to participate in mock interviews with community business leaders and were
asked to fill out a job application for the experience. Most of the students
said the interviews were not nerve wracking, but some were so nervous that they
couldn’t walk into the room, said one staff member.
“All students who participated in the
interviews received written feedback about their strengths and some things they
could work on. Our juniors will be working on a project in their English
classes regarding career and college exploration so this fair provided them
with opportunities to gather information to use in their projects,” said
Sturgis. “The seniors, who are in the midst of college applications, heard from
FAME about how to find scholarships and from USM about the difference between
high school and college and how to be a more successful college student. Also,
we had some seniors add some of the schools they talked with to their college
application lists.”
The event was two hours long and gave
students the opportunity to talk to as many colleges, universities and vocations
as they wanted. Students were given stickers when they spoke to the adults,
which once filled were put in for drawings for gift cards and prizes.
“I’m looking at all my options,” said student
Ben MacDonald.
Local business professionals from the area
were put into career categories and asked to talk about what they do for work.
Social media guru David Pride from Social Impressions spoke to students about
his job connecting people with Facebook, Twitter and all the other media
platforms.
Dustin Roma, of DM Roma Consulting
Engineers in Windham, was back for his third year. As a civil engineer, he
hoped to show students a “hands on trade”. “I want to connect with those few
kids,” he said. He also went to Windham High School and wanted to give back.
The businesses were interested in
sharing the opportunities that students might not have thought about like
computer technology and security at Gorham Savings Bank or architecture and
construction. There was a heavy equipment simulator that had a continuous line.
AAA passed out safe driving pamphlets and had a wheel that students could spin
to win prizes.
“This is important. A lot walk up and
don’t know what IT is,” said Kevin Heatley of Gorham Savings Bank. “They ask ‘What
do you do? What do I need for classes?’ I give them some ideas. I think it’s
very helpful.”
Carolyn Brodsky spoke to the jobs
available in manufacturing from jobs that require a four year degree and those
that don’t require college.
“There are 900 companies in Maine
considered manufacturers,” she said. Manufacturing is making something, making
brands, she told the students.
Sturgis thought Brodsky was a logical
choice as a speaker. “I was hoping that they would learn more from a local
manufacturer that hires both college grads and high school grads. That
manufacturing can be a valid choice for students with good wages. With the rock
climbing gym at the school and a lot of students into rock climbing - it was a
nice tie in to have a manufacturer of rock climbing gear. She also touched on
habits of work, for example, showing up on time, etc. that employers are
looking for.”
The event will happen again, said
Sturgis.
 |
| The difference between a creative brain and an analytical brain. |
Sophomore Dani Meader and junior Sam
Martin use the heavy equipment simulator.
Corrections officer Ladd Post van de Burg
talks to interested students at the career and college fair on Monday.
Junior Jewel Cummings uses a medical
device from Enercon Technology in Gorham, while Marjie Collins and Fred Howard
look on.
David Pride speaks with Maya Jorgensen
about social media at the career and college fair at Windham High School.
Carolyn Brodsy explained how businesses
work in the manufacturing industry to students at Windham High School.
Town manager Tony Plante and Windham
Economic Development director Tom Bartell speak to a group of students about
government.
