Page 8 - April Newsletter for web

IN THE

APRIL 2018

MASON CITY HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES

PARTICIPATE IN MOCK INTERVIEW PROJECT

LOCAL BUSINESSES & MASON CITY Dan McGuire, Sr. Vice President, Volunteer interviewers like McGuire
High School teamed up recently Human Resources, First Citizens also spoke with students about what
to give sophomores a chance to Bank in Mason City who also is is important to them and the many
practice job interviews. involved with Mason City CAN, career paths waiting for them right
volunteered part of his day to talk here in their future.
A project of Mason City CAN, with students. “It’s good to help,
the mock interviews connected especially if it’s something in your “Our hope is to show that
approximately 50 business bailiwick, and your experience professionals in the community do
volunteers with over 250 students lends to that application,” he said. value their educational path and also
during one day in March. The “This experience helps students get to showcase the many, many career
volunteers, working in shifts, prepared for the interview process.” opportunities in North Iowa. We
conducted 20-minute interviews want to encourage them to return
with sophomores. McGuire said most students realize some day,” said Boyer. “We want to
they have a responsibility to show the value of education and
“Part of it is real interview questions, prepare for their future and that growth after high school. There are
and the other half is having a grades are tied to it. “I’m impressed so many opportunities available here
conversation about opportunities by those who take it seriously and if they work on soft skills and on their
that exist here in North Iowa,” think about the next step, such as career path.”
said Hunter Callanan, one of volunteering or getting involved in
the organizers, from North Iowa activities.” Boyer was impressed with the
Corridor Economic Development number of volunteers who helped
Corporation. “This is just a huge He stressed to young people that with the mock interviews. “It speaks
project. Teachers put a lot of their interactions with adults volumes in terms of the professionals
time into scheduling students for around them right now may have taking time from their days and
appointment times and getting an impact on their future. “I’m sharing their own pathways,” she
them prepared.” starting to see the same people said. “There are a lot of successful
looking for jobs that I knew from people sitting here today, wanting
Professionals volunteering to sports involvement six years ago,” to support the development of our
conduct the mock interviews McGuire said. youth.”
represented a wide range
of industries, including law Anne Boyer, project coordinator Mason City CAN, a team of local
enforcement, construction, for MC CAN, agreed. “In the past organizations and businesses,
banks, broadcasting, medical, two days of preparation with is collaborating to increase the
social services, and more. Special students, we talked about that first education and skill level of North
education students and English impression. Sometimes the person Iowans. The task force includes
language learners also participated, you meet, you don’t realize will be representatives from education,
with the help of support staff and on your path later on, so you should employment, government,
Spanish-speaking professionals. always put on your best.” workforce development groups, and
social services agencies.

CHAD SCHRECK SHAUN ARNESON KEN BALES HUNTER CALLANAN
PRESIDENT & CEO VP, EXISTING BUSINESS & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST COMMUNICATIONS & WORKFORCE
[email protected] MANAGEMENT [email protected] SPECIALIST
[email protected] [email protected]
North Iowa Corridor EDC 9 North Federal Mason City, Iowa 50401 NorthIowaCorridor.com