“I learned a lot from this experience. I need to work on my communication skills some, but overall it was really good,” said senior Ethan Magnuson.
Magnuson said his practice interview might even have opened the possibility of an internship at Bradford White. “I got a lot of feedback on ways to improve. And I’m very excited about the possibility of an internship. I definitely wasn’t expecting that,” he said.
High school English teacher Tricia Rickert said the senior interviews started more than six years ago. “We do this as a way to give students the opportunity to use their English skills to prepare for the real world. Whether they are college bound or not, it’s a skill almost everyone will need to have at some point,” said Rickert. All of the English 12 students in Rickert’s and fellow teacher Kevin Kane’s classes participate. Before the interview, they work in class creating a cover letter, resume and sheet of references.
The goal is to give students as close to a real interview experience as possible. Interviews were done in the gymnasium with many going on at the same time. Students took the opportunity seriously and some students even dressed in a professional manner for their interview. Each student receives an evaluation from their interviewer so they know their strengths and areas needing improvement for the future.
Senior Natalie Borrink said she was very grateful for the opportunity. “I’ve had a bunch of jobs before but never had to interview for a big job. I’m a very extroverted person, so I’m not shy about talking to people, but I could be more focused during the interview,” she said.
“I think this was a really good opportunity for the future when I go looking for a great job. All the people here were so nice and really made you feel comfortable,” she said.
She said she is thankful now that she already has a resume, cover letter and references ready to use. “I can just update them when I need to.”
Blake Peter said he felt the whole project was very worthwhile. “It was definitely a good experience. I’ve never had a job before, so this is good practice. I learned (the interview) is not just a one-way thing. It’s a two-way conversation. They ask a lot of questions, and I should be ready to ask questions, too.”
Oliver Lietz agreed the experience was very helpful. “It was a good opportunity to brush up on skills and practice some skills we’ll need beyond high school in a professional environment.”
Volunteers who interviewed the students said they were very glad to help prepare the students for life beyond high school. As a TK alum, Kevin Doyle from Bradford White said he’s especially happy to help prepare TK students for the future.
“I think this is one of the best ways to give students experience in something they’ll need and use,” said Doyle. “Everyone I interviewed was very well prepared and did a good job not just talking about themselves but also asking questions.”
Liz Lenz from Barry County Community Mental Health has been a regular interviewer each year. “I love this. I love this for TK students. It’s so important, and they get to practice here in a safe environment. I look forward to doing this every year, and I think we get as much out of it as the students,” she said.
She loves seeing young people who are willing and able to communicate with someone they don’t know. “One-to-one exchange is so important and being able to do that kind of conversation with someone you don’t know is something students will need to know how to do.”
Lenz said she’s impressed by what high school students juggle these days. “They have school, some already have jobs, and they are in band, the musical or a sport. They have a lot going on.”
In all, 27 professionals volunteered to interview students throughout the day. They were representatives from Bradford White, TCU, United Way, Barry Community Foundation, Helen DeVos Hospital, Corewell Health, Barry County Community Mental Health, McKeown Kraai, Caledonia Farmers Elevator, Lacks, Sylvan of Grand Rapids, Henry Ford Health, Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan, Barry County Road Commission, and Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force.