Seniors at Bonduel High School were dressed for success Friday as part of the school’s 19th annual Senior Career Day.
The event was organized by a group of teachers to improve student opportunities for success in the workforce.
“They decided that we needed to do something to prepare our kids for going out into the work world, so we wanted every student to have a resume and cover letter before they left high school,” English teacher Marcy Siolka said.
The 74 students were encouraged to dress as they would for job interview and were given an opportunity to be critiqued by 10 local professionals representing various career fields during one-on-one interviews.
The professionals also reviewed the students’ resumes and cover letters and offered pointers on how to improve them.
“We want to make sure everything is perfect on it and then we want them to practice interviewing so that they have those skills when they leave here,” Siolka said.
Prior to the interviews, KI senior human resource manager Kristy Hesse delivered a presentation on resumes, interviews and following up on interviews. She also encouraged the seniors to pursue their dreams.
Hesse was part of the inaugural career day at BHS as a student in 1996. She said it is important to pay it forward by helping students pursue endeavors beyond the high school classrooms.
“I live in the community and it is very important for me to give back and to prepare the students of tomorrow for future employment,” Hesse said.
She said the day includes practical, helpful advice.
“I think it better prepares them for when they are applying for their first job, and everyone wants to make an impact,” she said.
Siolka said she is grateful for the time and information the volunteers shared with the students.
“I think it is very wonderful that the people of our community are willing to leave their jobs for a couple of hours and come here and help our kids prepare and give them a lot of good advice,” Siolka said.
The volunteers included Greg Tauchen, part-owner of Tauchen Harmony Valley Farm; Phil Heldt, Kwik Trip store leader; Patti Rosin, office manager of Rosin Woodwork; Mike Rodman, production manager with World Wide Signs; Sarah Heinrichs, insurance agent, Thiel and Associates; Ryan Alexander, branch manager of Co-Vantage Credit Union; Geoff Dowden, assistant vice president, Bonduel State Bank; Tracy Kleist, benefits consultant, Cottingham and Butler in Appleton; and Tom Wonderling, a former school superintendent in the Fond du Lac area.
Categories
