ILHS College and Career Readiness students are learning how to build and maintain connections in the world of work.
Link Construction Safety Director Steve Reid spoke to the students recently. He stressed the importance of being professional in every instance and relationship at work.
"Never burn a bridge, even if you're leaving a job because you never know what may happen. And always treat your co-workers the same way, with respect."
Reid earned his degree in Architectural Drafting and Construction Management from Lincoln Technical Institute in Indiana. He is also an active member of the Russells Point Village Council and longtime lieutenant of the Indian Joint Fire District. He says Link Construction is now hiring entry level positions with on-the-job training. In the past year, they've worked on a major project at TRC and are now helping construct a new school for Calvary Christian.
His visit is supported by the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Collaborative between industry leaders and educators.
ILHS College and Career Readiness students are preparing for important interviews in the coming month.
Abby Miller from Rhodes State College served a the recent Career Speaker. She spoke to the group recently about how to succeed in the upcoming Power Pace Interviews when representatives from several local employers will be on hand for the annual event.
Miller emphasized the importance of presenting themselves well by practicing talking points about themselves, being prepared to properly answer questions about their strengths and weaknesses and looking the part. She also encouraged the students to understand that if they interview at a business, they should consider the interview on as soon they walk in the door because employees, besides the one conducting the interview, may also have a say in their employment.
After Miller spoke, the students paired up to practice interviewing each other for a few minutes. Over the next few weeks, students will continue to prepare for the Power Pace Interviews on February 21st.
ILHS College and Career Readiness students learned about opportunities in sustainable energy during a a recent career speaker series presentation.
Samantha Sawmiller and Jason Smith from Open Road Renewables spoke about their education and job history that led them to the solar industry. They reminded the young people that career paths often change and it's important to be flexible.
Sawmiller encouraged the students, "Find something you care about and pursue that. Go out and volunteer, do something. Don't do nothing!"
This visit is part of the Career Speakers Series supported and arranged by the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Collaborative between industry leaders and educators.
The December Career Speaker talked to ILHS upperclassmen about opportunities to work with automobiles recently.
Dave Neer from Soloman's Garage in West Liberty gave students the story of his small business.
He said when he was in high school, he didn't enjoy most subjects, but he did enjoy working with his hands. At the urging of his guidance counselor, he began tinkering with cars.
Neer eventually began working for a BMW dealership out of state. After a decade in their service department, he decided to return to West Liberty and open his own garage on his father's farm.
"Since I started working on cars, it was always my dream to start my own shop. I worked on friends and family members' cars at night and on the weekends for free--that's how I built my skills. Now I'm in year 12 of owning my own business."
Eventually his shop outgrew the farm and he now has Soloman's Garage in downtown West Liberty with ten employees and a steady stream of business that he loves. He encouraged the students to find something they love and pursue a career in that field.
ILHS upperclassmen learned about the world of job opportunities in the health care setting during a recent Career Speaker Series visit.
Taylor Allison from Mary Rutan Health's Human Resources department detailed the many kinds of jobs available in a health center or hospital ranging from food service to physicians.
He offered lists of positions that only require a high school diploma and others that need a certificate or two-year degree. Allison also detailed the difference between clinical and non-clinical positions. Finally, he discussed tuition assistance opportunities for employees who hope to move up in the MRH organization by furthering their eduction.
This visit is part of the Career Speakers Series supported by the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Collaborative between industry leaders and educators.
Indian Lake upperclassmen heard from a couple of financial advisors to kick off the Career Speaker Series for the 2023-24 school year.
Lakeview Edward Jones representative Frank Dietz and Bellefontaine Edward Jones representative Hannah Southwood spoke to students recently. Dietz discussed how technology has impacted they way he assists clients with investments and retirement accounts during his decades in the business.
"20 years ago, people really didn't know if the market went up or down until they got their statements. But now they know almost daily what's happening, they've got everything on their phones. It's different from when I started and I've had to adapt," Dietz explained.
As a younger financial advisor, Hannah Southwood laid out the path to getting a degree in finance and obtaining the necessary licenses to become a broker. She also discussed the importance of making personal connections.
Southwood said, "We help widows, spouses, get through those tough times. That relationship building is definitely a rewarding part of the job."
Their visit is the first of many this year and is supported by the Logan County Area Chamber of Commerce and the Logan County Collaborative between industry leaders and educators.