Poughkeepsie High School’s Interview Day

As the school year ended, the Career Action Center (CAC) organized an Interview Day for students at Poughkeepsie High School. Youths were offered different employment opportunities for the summer. The idea of an Interview Day came about after planning and assessing the present needs of the CAC Drop-in students and Mentoring Class program. During the operating hours of the CAC, students have demonstrated a need for summer employment and a reason to keep active in positive affairs while on school break.  
 
Before the interview kick-off, students met weekly with CAC mentors to participate in various career development workshops. This included resume-building skills, mock interviews, and discussing interview attire. The CAC mentors constantly reassured students to have a positive attitude and gave them basic interview etiquette which proved to be very helpful.
 
On May 19th, the Interview Day took place from 11 am until 2 pm throughout the school day. One-hundred-eighty-eight youth were in attendance for Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions, Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Rhinebeck Bank, Ramapo for Kids, Adams Fairacre Farms, The Art Effect, R.E.A.L Skills, The Thinkubator, Dutchess County Government, Celebrating African Spirit, US Army National Guard, Youth Leadership, Abilities First, and The Next Gen Summer Tech Academy. Many in attendance were offered summer employment, and some even internships to start their summer.

To date, three youths have completed their paid internship at Habitat for Humanity, and others are pending opportunities with the Dutchess County Public Defender’s office. As we move forward the Career Action Center will continue to support youths within Poughkeepsie High School to achieve their desired career and employment interests.   
 
Help us continue to offer opportunities like these to our youth by learning more about the Career Action Center at DCRCOC.org. If you desire to host a student intern for the upcoming school year, please contact Consuela Edwards at cedwards@dcrcoc.org or Nancy Herrera at nherrera@dcrcoc.org.