WRCC Professional Communications Students Make Connections
BDCC’s P3 Program has partnered with the Windham Regional Career Center to support students in the Professional Communications course. One area of focus is preparing students to pursue their professional goals, and the students have done a fantastic job preparing for interviews this semester. Students practiced mock interviews with one another and then interviewed with BDCC’s Jack Spanierman, along with WRCC’s Becky Steele and Chris Hosden.
Students also had the opportunity to meet with professionals connected to their fields of interest through informational interviews. Interviewers including The Brattleboro Reformer’s Sports Editor Brandon Canevari, SCORE mentor Eugene Calvano who spoke to students about business ownership, WRCC Nursing Instructor Becky Steele, and Christine Grutta from CCV’s admissions department who spoke with a student about courses in graphic design.
The goal of the interviews is to build career skills, but also to help students plan for the steps they will take after graduation. “Talking with someone who actually works as a sports reporter confirmed for me that I want to pursue a career in sports journalism,” said one student. “I didn’t know CCV offered so many cool courses,” said another.
Feedback from all of the interviewers was positive. “Students were very personable and thoroughly answered questions,” said Chris Hosden. Becky Steele emphasized how well prepared the students were, saying “The students I interviewed weren’t shy about answering questions and really focused on their future goals.”
“It was wonderful to be able to meet various high schoolers and learn more about their interests and aspirations, all while the students were gaining real life experience.” said BDCC’s Jack Spanierman, referring to the work experiences that students in this class are engaged in outside the classroon. “I believe that offering students the opportunity to practice and hone their interviewing skills will have profound impacts on students’ self-esteem and professionalism as they continue to navigate their academic and professional journeys. I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
Jack is the program manager for BDCC’s new WORC initiative, which will serve adult, youth and new American audiences, providing additional capacity to the P3 Program beyond the lone staffer, Christy Betit, who has developed and run the program for the past five years. He’s also a graduate of BUHS who has returned home after graduating from UVM, to be part of BDCC’s expanded workforce programming.
About Pipelines & Pathways
BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides career education within the five southeastern Vermont public high schools. P3 helps students develop their personalized learning plans (PLP) through learning experiences to develop knowledge about career opportunities, and achieve their goals after graduation. Students develop soft skills, financial literacy, knowledge about economic sectors and skills in-demand through hands-on activities, work-based learning, and mentorships. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the region’s workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/engaging-with-high-school-students/
P3 was launched as a five year pilot, thanks to historic investment from the Vermont Community Foundation and McClure Foundation, the Vermont Training Program, WCEDP Vermont Yankee closure funds, and municipal contributions to SeVEDS. In 2023 P3 reached a major program milestone by commitments from the private sector. M&T Bank, whose support was matched by local employers G.S. Precision and C&S Wholesale Grocers joins funding partners McClure Foundation, the George W. Mergens Foundation, the Windham Regional Career Center and the West River Education District in supporting P3 across southeastern Vermont.
