From the perspective of the majority of the MRHS student body, almost every school day forewarns a plethora of tasks regarded as nothing short of trifling, during which they may question the intrinsic value of what they are learning. However, this doubt is usually dispelled within the context of World of Work (WOW), a vital graduation requirement slated for juniors on March 20.
During WOW, juniors are tasked with creating a resume and appearing in front of a community member, who will play the role of an employer in order to simulate a job interview. Moreover, in adherence with professional etiquette, juniors must dress in formal wear. Dress shirts and pants are typically appropriate for such events.
While the resume and formality requirements are part of the project’s foundation, the interviewing process is arguably the most imperative aspect of WOW, generally serving as the prototypical, arbitrary examination of career readiness. Being unqualified in just one metric may be enough for one to be deemed as undeserving of a position, and companies tend to look for varying traits in their workers.
Therefore, the mock interview’s purpose is to replicate the stressful nature of a job interview in a risk-free environment. However, as with any job interview, preparation is nonetheless instrumental, and stress is a common byproduct.
To ensure their success, juniors are slated to receive student service lessons about the WOW interview during the week of March third, in which they will be provided background information, especially regarding the types of questions they may be asked. They can prepare further by the performance of skits using these questions, employing similar principles to the official interview while mitigating the possible tensions associated with it.
“A couple… [questions]… they could anticipate would be ‘tell me about yourself’ or ‘what are your strengths and areas of growth,” student counselor Ms. Tasch explained.
The purpose of WOW is not to scrutinize, but rather to bolster a student’s career competence. Juniors will receive feedback after the interview, of which is beneficial regardless of their work history. Those without prior job experience can practice for their first foray into the workforce, and those with prior experience are able to improve their professional skill set.
“The WOW interview would.. [provide]… ways to make my resume more applicable… I could learn how to give a better interview and look more formal…. It would help me learn new ways to show myself to my employers,” junior Boden Pistorio asserted.
Seniors reflected on their experiences with WOW, sharing their feedback. A handful of seniors appreciated the opportunity to build professional skills, including how to present themselves and communicate.
“The WOW interview helps you converse with your interviewer, which can help with college applications, since some colleges interview you. It’s also good practice, and taught me what to say/what to do when it came time for my actual job interview. The best tip I would give to juniors is to not be stiff and try to actively keep a conversation going,” senior Teja Anumalasetty declared.
Many seniors found that their involvement in WOW made future job interviews less intimidating, with some even landing part-time positions as a result, and a handful agreed the experience was invaluable in preparing them for future career opportunities.
“It really prepared me for real world experiences, and gave me a realistic scenario of what a job interview would look like. When it came time to have an actual interview it really helped me prepare, since we had made resumes, and rehearsed what lines to say. There was less pressure since I knew what to expect,” senior Nick Wagner elaborated.
As much a rite of passage for high schoolers as is getting a driver’s license, World of Work represents a departure from adolescence to adulthood, as well as a journey through the depths of the workforce. The importance of World of Work cannot be overstated, as by participating, students develop confidence in their career aspirations. Finding a job is the first of many lessons significant of a maturity shift, and as Mustangs eventually transition to the subsequent chapters of their lives, further lessons are bound to arise.