Leland and Gray Seniors “Survive” Informational Interviews
Surviving your senior year of high school takes persistence, courage, and a good sense of humor. While you’re trying to stay on top of your classes, work that side job, help out your family, plan for prom, and keep your car from imploding, every single person you talk to asks the same question – “What are your plans after high school?” That question can strike fear into the most well-prepared senior.
Luckily for Leland & Gray students, they’ve got answers. Every senior at L&G must complete a program called “Senior Survival” in order to graduate. BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program collaborates with L&G each semester to bring this course to life, covering topics from punctuality, handshakes, and tie tying, to understanding the importance of flexibility, resilience, and maintaining a good reputation. Every student finishes a series of challenges like resume and cover letter writing, mock and informational interviews, and a host of other assignments in order to “survive” their senior year.
While Senior Survival is less “Lord of the Flies,” and more “I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was,” the course does venture into unknown, sometimes scary waters, allowing students to spend time understanding their strengths and challenges, exploring things they like and don’t like to do, and connecting that self awareness with career and educational pathways where they can thrive. The goal of the course is to ensure that every senior has a solid postsecondary plan in place on the day they cross the graduation stage to accept their diplomas.
This spring’s seniors recently completed informational interviews with local professionals representing a variety of sectors. For all volunteer interviewers, this task is old hat. But every time they visit with our students, they bring a level of professionalism and enthusiasm that inspires. Students interested in the trades interviewed with the always-entertaining, high energy Peter Welsh, of Welsh Masonry. Students looking for careers in engineering had an illuminating interview with Ben Harwood, from Harwood and Associates. Students pursuing careers in healthcare had a chance to meet with Pamela Coburn and Melinda Roy from Grace Cottage Hospital to talk about pediatric to geriatric physical therapy careers. Tim Thrasher of Thrasher Graphics was on-hand to talk about how to make a living as an artist. In addition to his graphic design business, he’s a bass player for The Miles Band. And Zachary Young, Coordinator of School Advising at the Community College of Vermont, provided students with information about available programs of study, including their Critical Occupations Free Tuition Program.
“I learned that CCV is a great place to go to college, especially for someone who isn’t completely sure of what they want to do for a job after high school,” said Nicholas Petronic. “The most important thing I learned was to not be scared to ask questions as the teachers at the college are very approachable, and the same goes for the advisors there.”
Hannah Landers solidified her plans for the fall while speaking with Ben Hardwood. She said, “He talked about what he does day to day, going to sites, spending time in the office. I think it was helpful. He told me he went to school for environmental and civil engineering, and think I’m going to do the same as a double major,” she said.
Raena Sanderson who met with Grace Cottage employees said, “I got to find out about how the job can affect your personal life – knowing how you go home after work, and how you may feel after you’ve seen certain things that can be hard to take in. It was very helpful to learn about the side you don’t get to hear a lot about. It makes you understand what you’re really signing up to do.”
Speaking about his experience with the students interested in trades careers, Peter Welch said, “These kids are astute; they’re impressive. These kinds of experiences need to happen at all our schools.”
As students returned from their interviews, heading back to the classroom, there was a marked difference in their energy and excitement as they enthusiastically discussed their experiences with one another. Said Hannah, “I wish we could’ve had a longer conversation.” Hannah has Ben’s contact information and plans to reach out to him for more advice when she heads to Clarkson University this fall.
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides employment oriented career-planning for the region’s high school students. It brings training in 21st Century skills, work-based learning, and personal learning plan (PLP) engagement opportunities to all four public high schools in Windham County. The program assists in developing workforce-oriented curricula, expanding classroom relationships, and growing work-based learning through opportunities with local employers. It also supports teachers working face to face with students to implement personal learning plans and seize the myriad opportunities presented by Vermont’s Flexible Pathways Initiative under Act 77. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/
Funding for P3 is provided by the McClure Foundation, Vermont Training Program, Vermont Community Foundation, the Windham County Economic Development Program, The Thomas Thompson Trust, the George W. Mergens Foundation, People’s United Bank, Tom Smith – Omega Optical, and Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls.
