The Existing Industries Committee and the Calhoun College and Career Academy partnered together on May 1st, 2012 to offer high school students an opportunity to develop employability skills through a job seminar event.

The entire event focused on delivering applicable life skills to students as they continue their education and pursue careers now and in the future.

As students entered the Depot, they were greeted with a variety of stations in which they would interact. Students were given a label to place on their shirt, which told them the order of the stations they were to participate in.

The event took place at the Calhoun Depot and the Civic Auditorium, and offered students the opportunity to develop their soft skills in the areas of job interview, communication, advertising and presenting oneself, workplace conflicts, and teamwork.

Many students participated in mock interviews. Students came prepared with a Job Application, Resume, and Cover Letter to present during these interviews.

While the students were participating in the workshops at the Depot, they were given a BINGO card where the Station instructors stamped one of the blocks on the card. At the end of the block, students who had BINGO turned in their card for a chance to win prizes.

“This was a great experience for students like myself to participate in. We were able to meet professionals in the field who helped us practice the skills we are learning both in and out of the classroom. I enjoyed taking part in the mock interview because I know as I get older that interview skills will benefit me as I pursue a career,” said junior, Noah Gallman.

In addition, students were able to hear presentations from community members about workforce trends, skills for success, and local business outlook.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to the Calhoun/Gordon County Chamber of Commerce for their partnership to help make this a successful, relevant, and engaging event for Calhoun High School CTAE students,” Dr. Brittney Wilson.

Planning for the career seminar consisted of CTAE instructors, and donations of time and money by local business leaders aided in the event.

The group of CTAE instructors and volunteers from the community: CTAE Instructors: Dr. Brittney Wilson, CTAE Director; Greta Hughes, Technology; Dale Hales, Construction; Randy Rice, Law & Justice; Laura Payne, Family & Consumer Science; Jennifer Patterson, Business; Trenette Patton, Business; Lori Fisher, Healthcare Science; Lynn Davis, Education; Ginger House, Work Based Learning; Judy Peterson, CTI;

Community Leaders: Station 1: Mock Interviews: Sean Pluckler, Spunkey Mitchell, Anthony Ortiz, Jason Park, Corey Watson Cathy Myers; Station 2: Communication: Troy Frantzen, Joshua McClure, Jane Belden; Station 3: Advertising Yourself: Jesse Vaughn, Becky Hale, Judy Norris, Tracy Harmon; Station 4: Presenting Yourself: Joni Harbin, Reggie Glaze; Station 5: Workplace Conflicts: Kerry DeFoe, Tom Bojo, Tiffanie Joslin-Riley, David Hammond, Suzanne H. Smith, Sharon Vess; Station 6: Teamwork: Jeff Gazaway Tracy Farriba Donny Holmes Sara Peters Russell Bennett; Special Topic Speakers: Jay Marquez, City of Calhoun/GBI, Sandy Barton, Gordon Hospital, and Judy Bailey, Gordon County Commissioner.