PEA RIDGE — Pea Ridge High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) officers, members and adviser, Mrs. Suzi Cotton, presented a “Planning Your Future” workshop for seniors. Hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Community College, the Wal-Mart Auditorium was full of excitement as students learned that there is more to planning their career, post-secondary education and preparing for the job market than just graduating from high school.
Elizabeth Ward, FBLA secretary, led the program as master of ceremony.
FBLA Officers Heather Ray, Tori Wilkerson and Laura Thomas, along with member Kristin Middleton, presented a skit and performance of “Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan” to introduce the workshop.
FBLA members Sumer Najera, Faith Wilson and Kaylin Brouhard provided production and tech support.
Corporate recruiters from area companies presented workshops to approximately 100 seniors on the art of writing their resume and preparing for the job interview.
John Roller, Human Resource manager for Mercy Hospital, presented the “Do’s and Don’ts” of job interviews. Through a mock interview with Jamie Johnston, NWACC assistant director of admissions, as a model interview candidate and Caleb Duvall, corporate recruiter for J.B. Hunt, as a less than stellar candidate, Roller showed the audience that there is more to getting a job today than just filling out an application.
Meanwhile, in the Peterson Auditorium, the Tyson team of Ryan Penner and Clint Reed walked students through the process of designing resumes, the importance of post-secondary education, internships and community service. Penner and Reed encouraged students to start now building their resume and gain the skills and education they need to compete in today’s job market.
“Ryan Penner and Clint Reed did an awesome job explaining how the resume writing process works, and how it opens doors to an interview. Therefore, you should fit your resume to your job,” said Thomas, student FBLA reporter.
Duvall, a former graduate of Pea Ridge High School, presented a motivational speech on leadership and the importance of developing personal strengths. His adaptation to the leader profile of “Buzz Lightyear” had the students laughing, but also realizing their potential and role as future leaders, and team players.
The event closed with a panel discussion on job availability now and in the future when students finish their post-secondary education. Students came away from the workshop with a better understanding of life after high school and what it takes to prepare for their future and the job market.
Pea Ridge High School students send a special thanks to J.B. Hunt, Mercy Hospital, Tyson Foods, Northwest Arkansas Community College, and lunch sponsor the Community First Bank of Pea Ridge.
Sports, Pages 12 on 11/21/2012