Business and industry leaders from the Lakelands conducted mock job interviews with high school students during Lander’s recent Workforce Development Day. Photo by Laura Wood
Getting that first job and planning for a future career were on the minds of nearly 300 high school students who attended Lander University’s Workforce Development Day.
From a fashion show on how to dress for a job interview to learning skills for writing resumes and participating in mock interviews for jobs, students had the opportunity to learn from business professionals on what is expected when they head to the workforce.
Dr. Lloyd Willis, interim dean of the College of Business and dean of the College of Graduate and Online Studies, said the event for high school students -- a first for the University -- was signed to help high students feel confident in themselves and have a better understanding “of how to present themselves in early-career job search processes. We also want these students to know that Lander is invested in their success, whether that means simply adding value in this one event or providing them educational opportunities in the future.”
Discovering educational pathways is valuable to young people planning for their careers, said Laura Cox, of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW).
“Exposure and awareness to the educational opportunities available beyond high school are important for students,” said Cox, director of regional workforce advisers at DEW.
“By being at Lander, students can discover educational opportunities in their backyard. They can see that they don’t have to go far to get a college degree. We are truly in a lifelong learning world,” Cox said. “No matter where we start, we are constantly learning on the job.”
Partnering with high schools gave students a chance to experience a college campus and learn about the possibilities of attending college said Casey Cline, Lander’s director of workforce and career development. “An added bonus was also providing students with financial literacy on what to expect when they start bringing home a paycheck, such as how to create a bank account and how much to put away in a savings account.”
Pamela Martin, school counselor for Greenwood District 50’s G. Frank Russell Technology Center, described the day as a “first step for our students’ future.”
She said, “This is preparing them for the next step – being part of our state’s workforce. Not everyone will go to college, but for Lander to do this is awesome. It’s helping students move forward in their lives.”