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R U Ready allows your company to reach job seekers and students in the classroom and help shape our counties future workforce. Here are some ways you and your company can chose to get involved with R U Ready to impact our future workforce:
Career Fairs
Career Fairs give students and job seekers a look at a variety of occupations. Business people can staff a booth or meet with groups of students to provide information about the careers available at their companies. The more interactive and hands-on the better the experience for both the student and employer. Possible topics:
Necessary preparation for a particular job, and advice on how to pursue a career in this industry
Required knowledge and skills, and other interesting information about the job
Major responsibilities for individuals in this occupation and the industries in which it is found
Committee Member
Participation in a variety of workforce development needs and education preparatory models along with education, other businesses and organizations. Committee work might include pathway exploration, advisory committee for a particular schools or related subjects.
Company Tour
Tours allow class of students, job seekers, and/or teachers to view an organization's facility and operation and to see what happens outside the classroom.
Guest Speaker
Guest speakers talk about their job, business or industry, with students, job seekers, and/or teachers. This can be done in a classroom, auditorium, workshop, or at a community event. Speakers are encouraged to bring visual aids, and props that they can pass around. The more interactive and hands-on the better!
Internships/Project Support
The Internships or Project Support WLA provides students and job seekers with opportunities to experience "hands-on" learning in the area of their career interests and apply classroom learning in a real-life environment. In addition to exploring a particular career pathway, industry, or occupation, students learn workplace readiness/soft skills and entry level job skills and begin to build their portfolio and professional network. Assignments may include occupation-related tasks and/or special projects. These experiences may be paid or unpaid, and students may receive school credit for them, and reflect a range of hours per week depending on the employer's needs.
Mock/Informational Interviews
Mock interviews help students and job seekers develop and practice job interviewing skills. Employees who regularly interview job applicants (often human resource professionals) interview students and job seekers, asking typical "real world" questions. After the interview, participants receive constructive feedback regarding their interviewing style and how they responded to the questions.
Informational interviews allow students and job seekers to explore a particular occupation and gather information about the necessary preparation, required knowledge, and other interesting facts. Informational interviews help students and job seekers broaden their vision of career fields, gain exposure to different adult role models, and understand the connection between school, work, and achieving goals. During the interview, a business person provides the participant with student/job seeker prepares a set of questions and the interview can take place in person, by phone or e-mail, or in a group.
Job Opportunities
Employers offer opportunities to experience "hands-on" learning in the area of their career interests and apply classroom learning in a real-life environment through a part-time or summer job. The student may do occupation-related tasks and/or special projects. These experiences are paid and occur over the summer or after school during the school year.
Job Shadow
Students and job seekers "shadow" one or more employees at a business site to learn the daily routines and activities of a particular job. Businesses and employees who host job shadows go about their regular work while discussing it with the student. The individual observes the employee and "interviews" the employee about his/her work and education. Job shadows help students develop communication skills and make the connection between academic classroom work and their career goals.
Competition Judge
Many high school and postsecondary students participate in math/science competitions. Judges ensure competition rules are followed and provide direct feedback to the students on their performance. Judges receive training in advance to ensure they understand the competition rules, and receive ongoing support from the organization in charge of the competition.
Scholarships
Offer or post a scholarship program tailored to needs of industry or career desired.
Service Learning Opportunity
Service learning opportunities give students and job seekers an opportunity to give back to their communities while performing meaningful projects at local for-profit businesses, government agencies, and non-profits. Many senior projects (required for graduation) involve service learning projects.
Virtual Career Coach Discussion Forum
Virtual Career Coaches answer student and job seeker questions about their jobs, offer advice or otherwise support individuals via an online forum. This allows career coaches to volunteer from their desk at work, at home or when traveling, and allows students access to a network of knowledgeable, supportive adults they might not otherwise be able to reach.
For more information about R U Ready? Southwest Alabama, contact:
Al Etheridge
251/230-0602
aetheridge@maef.net
