By By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Seniors in Joanna Wisener’s and Tara Kendall’s English classes are getting some real world experience in their final weeks of high school.
Union City High School and Center Point Business Solutions have partnered to put students through the Soft Skills Training program — a complete job-seeking and interview process — as they prepare to enter the next phase of their lives.
Elizabeth Pritchett, Director of Sales and Marketing at CPBS, along with Kim Watts, COO; Jamie Worrell, Client Manager; Natasha Pennington, Client Manager; and Whitney Stover, Controller; conducted mock interviews Thursday at UCHS, putting nearly 100 seniors through a question-and-answer process that will undoubtedly serve them well.
Students were allowed to choose a job from a list of about 20 positions – some of those immediate employment after graduation, others after college.
The seniors were questioned extensively by CPBS staff, much as they will be when they apply for similar positions.
Before that, in another part of the program, students were instructed on how to effectively prepare a résumé and also given tips on proper dress for interviews.
“We wanted the whole program to be realistic,” Mrs. Pritchett said as UCHS seniors were being interviewed individually. “The people who we’ve worked with have told our company that there are things missing from young applicants during the interview process.
“We’re addressing those and making these young people aware of what employers are looking for and what’s important to them. This training is made possible by a Three Star grant award to the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. We appreciate the efforts by Lindsay Frilling to close the skills gaps that employers are seeing.”
Eye contact, a firm handshake, proper posture and communication skills were among the many topics addressed by Mrs. Pritchett when preparing students for the interview itself.
“I really believe they ‘get it,”’ she said, noting the seniors’ attention to detail of what had been earlier addressed.
“It obviously starts at the top and Mrs. Wisener does such a wonderful and thorough job with the students in her class. They get what they need.”
Mrs. Wisener was equally complimentary of Mrs. Pritchett and Center Point.
“Mrs. Pritchett provided valuable information when she spoke to my classes, and the seniors worked diligently to apply her tips when crafting their résumés,” Mrs. Wisener insisted. “The students realize that their entrance into the ‘real’ world is quickly approaching, so they were excited to get feedback from professionals during their mock interviews.
“As they brought their interview scoresheets to me, they were so proud about what they had done well and very reflective about what they could have done better. This opportunity would not have been possible without the time, effort and knowledge of the interviewers from Center Point.
“I am so appreciative that the Center Point staff was willing to take time out of their busy work schedules to collaborate with us at UCHS as we work to ensure that our seniors are ready for the next stage of life.”
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