34 community industry professionals visited Orchard Mesa Middle School for Interview Prep Day with CMU's Alumni and Career Services
On Thursday, May 7, Colorado Mesa University’s Alumni and Career Services teamed up with Orchard Mesa Middle School (OMMS) to host the school’s first Interview Preparation Day. The event hosted 34 local industry professionals from fields ranging from photography and law enforcement to kinesiology and education. The event was an opportunity for OMMS students to practice their interview skills, interact with fields they are interested in and get excited about a future career path.
“At OMMS, our mission is to 'Equip students for life.' Part of this takes place in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage. When it comes to our 8th graders, we have a really great opportunity, and obligation, to equip them with the skills they will need to be successful in high school and beyond,” said Parker Nicholas, eighth-grade teacher at OMMS and CMU alumna.
In preparation for the event, CMU Alumni and Career Services Career Coaching Coordinator Sawyer Dietrich met with students during their advisory hour to provide an overview of how to prepare a resume and practice for an interview. The visit provided a pretext for the larger event held later in the month.
“I think it is vital even for 8th graders to begin thinking critically about their future careers. Specifically, when a student can identify first their existing strengths and interests, they can then place these within their values,” Dietrich said.
His presentation emphasized the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) eight core competencies, including career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and technology. In addition, he provided resume-building tips and insight on how to prepare for their upcoming interviews.
Organizers hoped the combination of Dietrich's visit and the event would encourage students to recognize their own value and potential. Through mock interviews and professional interactions, students were challenged to think about how they present themselves and communicate with others in professional settings.
“Many of our students seek out their worker's permit as soon as they are able. My team and I felt that we were doing students a disservice by not teaching them what all goes into preparing for, executing and reflecting on a successful interview,” said Nicholas.
Without the pressure of a true interview or a job offer on the line, students were able to build their confidence and receive real-time feedback on their performance — insights they could apply later on when they go to apply for a real job. The event provided a small insight into what future professional expectations could look like.
“Through teaching them the value of representing themselves well on a resume, in a professional conversation and being able to take constructive criticism, it is ultimately my hope that they walked away knowing that they are worthy of any opportunity they want to pursue," Nicholas emphasized.
The event also introduced students to a broader range of career and educational pathways. By connecting with professionals from across the community, students were exposed to opportunities they may not have previously considered for their futures.
“We had the opportunity to show them a variety of career opportunities that they may not have thought of, as well as introduce them to CMU and the idea of pursuing higher education,” said Jennifer Mathe, head coach of the Men’s and Women’s Triathlon Team.
Police Sergeant with the City of Grand Junction, Jeff Davis, enjoyed the opportunity to connect with students interested in Police, Fire and EMT career fields. He emphasized that students were engaged and interested in what expertise he and other community members provided.
“I was very impressed with the students who obviously prepared for this event. It was evident they took to heart what was taught prior and the skills they demonstrated were great. They also asked great questions, which furthered the conversations," Davis said.
As part of CMU’s and Mesa County Valley School District 51’s related missions to raise the educational attainment rate in Mesa County, events like Orchard Mesa Middle School Interview Prep Day lay a foundation that can be built upon. By collaborating with the community, students feel more confident and eager to pursue higher education and career fields they are passionate about.
