​Local High School students were busy throughout December preparing for their future.  Johnsonburg High School teacher Mrs. Chelgreen and St. Marys High School teachers Mrs. Brody and Mr. Taylor partnered once again with the CEC DISCOVER Partnership for their annual mock interviews.  This event is typically an in person experience; however, this year required transitioning to a virtual platform. Sophomore students prepared a resume and cover letter prior to the event. Students were connected with local employers from Alpha Precision Group, Domtar, Elk County Conservation District, Northern PA Regional College, Advantage Sales, Amphenol, Contact Technologies, Elk County Courthouse, Horizon Technologies, North Central Regional Planning Development Center, and the Community Education Center who interviewed students as if they were actually hiring them. 90% of students agreed that this experience helped reduce their stress and anxiety for an actual interview in the future and most agreed the immediate feedback received from this experience was valuable. One student reported “I was surprised to learn that even though I was very nervous through the interview, we still had a fluent conversation and I was able to answer her questions.”   85% of students agreed that they learned what knowledge and skills they need to strengthen to be successful on their next interview.  One student commented “I was surprised at how helpful the interviewer was by giving me advice about certain skills to have or work on for the job”. This experience also gave students the opportunity to find confidence in themselves as one student shared “I was honestly shocked by how easily the interview flowed and how I was a lot better at answering the questions than I thought I would be. My biggest issue seems to be self doubt.”  If you would like to be part of this experience as a guest interviewer, please contact Amy Goode at the Community Education Center at (814) 781-3437 or email cec@communityedcenter.com.
 

​For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Goode
P: 814-781-3437
amy@communityedcenter.com

​The Community Education Center’s DISCOVER Partnership collaborated with the Elk-Cameron County Penn State Extension 4H to recognize National Manufacturing Day during the month of October through their 3rd annual STEM Career Showcase.  The STEM Career Showcase was designed to introduce 5th grade students to careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and help address the critical demand for skilled manufacturing labor.  Utilizing Google Slides, the showcase focused on careers in the following manufacturing industries: Powdered Metals; Wood, Paper and Printing; Oil and Gas Production; Electrical Contacts and Components, Agriculture, and Textiles and Clothing.  5th Graders from Elk and Cameron County schools participated in the virtual event.  Teachers were provided a toolkit with a pre and post lesson that included videos and worksheets.  According to Mrs. Raubenstrauch, Ridgway FSG STEM Teacher, “The google site is amazing and because I teach students on a six day cycle this site is allowing me this year to do a whole unit on manufacturing. I believe in light of COVID the virtual session was wonderful for the students to learn from someone other than the teacher.” 
 
Each school was partnered with a local manufacturer who connected with the class during a live, virtual session via Zoom.  The company reps shared information about their company, products and career opportunities.  Each session included a hands on activity that related to the company industry.  According the Mr. Smith, Johnsonburg 5th Grade Teacher, “The kids had a blast”.  Participating elementary schools included Cameron County, Johnsonburg, Ridgway, South St. Marys elementary, St. Marys Catholic and St. Leos.  This year’s Guest Educators and Manufacturing Representatives included Natalie Aiello, Elk-Cameron PSU Extension 4H; Evan DeLong from the Elk County Conservation District, Stephanie Stoughton from Domtar, Bill Buhite from Allegheny Contracting, Ryan Magaro from Rich Valley Apiary, Rachel Gilmore from Sew Wicked, Jason Gabler from Advantage Metal Powders and a team of employees from Contact Technologies.   The classroom teacher lead a post reflection activity after the event for the students to assess if manufacturing would be a fit for their future career. 
 
This event was coordinated by the Community Education Center's (CEC) DISCOVER Partnership and Elk-Cameron PSU 4H and sponsored by the Stackpole Hall Foundation, The Mee Foundation and Workforce Solutions for North Central PA Business Education Partnership Grant from PA Department of Labor and Industry.  Companies interested in hosting students for future programs are encouraged to contact the CEC at (814) 781-3437 or cec@communityedcenter.com.