Student Career Conference - Links to Success!
Date and Time
Thursday Nov 9, 2023
8:30 AM - 1:30 PM CST
Fees/Admission
Sponsor and participant led program.
Only participants who signed up and go through training participate.
No fees to participate for volunteers.
Lunch included. Sign up required.
Contact Information
Livingston Parish Chamber
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Event Sponsors
Description
The 6th Student Career Conference hosted by the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee.
What's this about?
Since 2015, the Chamber's Education Committee has implemented a student career conference to bring a real life "how to choose a path and get the job" experience to high school students. To date, we have worked with over 400 students, mostly from schools on the east side of the parish including Springfield, Holden, Albany, Maurepas and French Settlement. Business leaders can help by being on the panel or assisting with other hands-on activities. Prizes for students and other smaller items are also accepted to help. It's a great day of learning for students who reluctantly attend, yet leave pleasantly surprised.
What is the purpose of this conference?
The Chamber is answering to the problem employers face by working with high school students to develop soft skills. In addition, students are not always aware of the varying fields and paths they can take to employment. This workshop/conference allows students the opportunity to experience this with business leaders. The conference will engage high school students with the experience, look and feel of a professional business conference aimed to teach students skills they will need to be better prepared to join the workforce.
What is the format of the conference?
The conference begins with students from three high schools checking in and receiving their program materials and group assignments, randomly assigned. Students begin in one of three sessions;
- Team Building - helps students understand the concept of working in teams and the value each brings to the team.
- "Getting the Job" - This session is designed to show students the way companies are hiring today. It also guides students in getting the interview, how to dress for the interview and how to prepare for an interview. A segment which acknowledges to students that their personal style and strengths make them better suited, and more likely to be gratified and succeed in a particular field.
- "Doing the Right Thing" - Whether a student is in the classroom, at home, hanging out with friends or at their job, knowing and acting on what is right is necessary. Students are taken through real life, "what would you do?" scenarios held in an interactive format.
What is the makeup of the panel?
The panel includes various career paths. Those include, but are not limited to:
- 4-year degree programs. What it takes to be in certain fields and how to get there. Examples include: Engineers, attorneys, nursing, administration, CPA's, etc.
- 2-year or Certification Careers: These are learning that is taught for specific industries. Either a 2-year degree or certification in the industry is preferred or required for these fields.
- Other paths: Those with other paths.
- Question and answer session by the students following brief introductions by the panel.
The Chamber offers varying levels of participation for business. Some want to be actively involved. Some prefer to be active for the day. Others support the program monetarily (by the way, these programs are funded by education sponsors). You can request to be involved in the following ways.
- (A) All in - Serve on the Education Committee. They meet monthly, actually about 9 times per year, and plan and facilitate the program on the volunteer side.
- (B) I can spare a day to work with students - great, if you want to be a part of the panel, work in one of the team rooms mentioned in the format above, let's talk. If you are passionate, we can find a place for you!
- (C) I can't spare the time, but would like to contribute - without commitment from this area, the programming would not exist.
- (D) I want to sponsor this programming so that more students can participate.
- Sponsorships include:
- Varying $ levels from $50 to $10,000. We can provide a sponsor sheet.
- Door prizes for the conference. It makes it more fun for the students. Let us know how you would like to help.
- Other donations.
As mentioned above, sponsorships. They cover the cost of the program to students including the facility rental, food, materials, incidentals and other costs associated with the program. The administrative costs are absorbed by the Chamber's general fund making all chamber members a part of this valuable programming.
Volunteer opportunities are available. See above. If you would like to participate and mentor students, please register and indicate your level of interest. In the comments section, please list your field or area that you would like to mentor. There is no charge to participate and lunch is provided.
