By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City High School ESL students continue to make strides toward career readiness and professional skill development.
Teacher Kristen Parks recently set up a series of mock interviews for her English Second Language class, introducing them to the process of job auditions that included crafting a resume and clear/concise communication.
Parks enlisted the help of both UC Schools employees and community business owners to help with the process. Those adults graded students’ performances during the interviews and offered valuable feedback for the future.
“It was an invaluable experience for our students, I believe,” Parks said. “I felt they took the experience seriously, and they showed tremendous growth throughout the exercise. Some of them were hesitant initially to speak publicly, but they gradually became more comfortable.
“It was the first experience for many of them to participate in something like this, and the feedback from the business owners and our staff was positive and encouraging.”
Each student prepared a resume, participated in interview skill-building activities in class, and then engaged in one-on-one interviews with ‘prospective employers’ in the UCHS library. The interviewers then filled out a score sheet that provided an immediate critique, listing strengths and suggestions for improvement.
Of particular focus was interview etiquette, confidence-building, real-world language skills, and community connections. Attention was also given to job culture, U.S. workplace norms, and appropriate professional communication.
Parks extended a specific thank-you to Emily Billingsley, General Manager of Williams Sausage; Stephanie Quinn, owner of Stillwater Salon; Ron Parks, Owner of First Choice Farm and Lawn; UC High School Vice Principal John Graham; and UC Schools Director of Special Population, Laney Rogers for conducting the interviews.