Wylie West eighth-grader Tessa Purcell was looking forward to the winter break, but before she could really focus on it, she had to look past it — way past it.
thanks to practice in the classroom.
Purcell can thank her speech teacher Mrs. Kelly Eastman for helping her jump beyond junior high and into the workforce. The project spanned over three weeks and encompassed researching a career field of interest, writing a resume, learning interview protocol and then completing a mock interview.
“Each student chose a future career in which they have an interest,” said Eastman. “They created resumes fitting for that career…including high school and college education with degrees specifically for their career. They also chose job experiences and qualities that would make them a good candidate.”
Purcell felt researching a career and what is needed to be a quality candidate was challenging but felt the information she learned in the process and the experience gained was very valuable.
“It was hard gathering information to create a life I don’t have yet, but I learned a lot about the job and field I think I’d like to go into,” said Purcell.
This year was the first time Eastman brought out-side volunteers in to help with the interview portion. Eastman said the class activity has grown into quite the production, transitioning from a bonus assignment that needed the additional help of a few fellow teachers into a larger production.
were part of 26 other businessmen and women who made this project a great success.
“In a matter of three days, 26 volunteers from various career fields around the Abilene community completed 140 student interviews,” said Eastman.
The goal: to be as realistic as possible, and Purcell said it was. Sharing that Eastman prepared them down to even the smallest details to make a good impression.
“It was nerve-racking to meet someone you have never met before, but it’s a cool opportunity for when you do go on an actual job interview,” she said. “We learned how to have good eye contact and how to shake a hand properly – even paying attention to smelling good, having clean breath and not chewing gum.”
with volunteer Cameron Wiley.
Once interviews were over, Eastman had the students evaluate the whole process.
“We debriefed, discussing the types of questions asked and the overall experience,” said Eastman.
Purcell said the final lesson was understanding what to expect when the interview is over.
“You may not hear back from them for a day or so, and you always send a thank you note.”