KPC News
DeKalb New Tech took steps to ensure its seniors are ready for the post-high school world last week.
The trip was part of the students’ senior seminar project, titled “Everything Etiquette.”
Over the school year, students will learn how to write resumes and cover letters, how to ask for letters of recommendation, how to prepare for an interview, how to dress for success and how to do mock interviews.
At the Exploration Fair last Tuesday, various companies such as Penguin Point, Ben Davis Automotive, local law firms and more were present to conduct mock interviews and network with the students.
This is the second year for the project, according to VanStraten.
”I asked for feedback last year and was told that my seniors wished the project had been done earlier, before they picked a college,” VanStraten said.
As a result, the project was moved from spring 2018 to fall of 2017.
The trip to Indiana Tech showed students what opportunities the college has to offer and had each student go through an interview luncheon with Career Center staff member Cindy Verduce.
Verduce focused on certain aspects such as what research to do before and after an interview, the proper ways to pass bowls and hold silverware and what items to order and avoid ordering.
Verduce also explained to students how to deal with situations where they did not like the food and how to politely decline.
“It’s about the interview, not the food,” Verduce told the group of students Tuesday.
Other than knowledge, the students all received orange swag bags from Indiana Tech filled with useful tools for the future such as writing utensils, information pamphlets about the variety of majors available and notebooks.
Even though not all students are college-bound, VanStraten hopes these skills will be put to use regardless.
VanStraten also teaches English 9 and plans to have her freshmen students complete the senior seminar project as well.