Tyler Thurmer and Brittney Powell
present information to participants
Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center hosted its first PACT Meeting on Thursday, October 6 at 6:00 PM. The PACT committee consisted of business people from both Calhoun and Gilmer counties.
Committee members were treated to a brief introduction of the staff members and details of the various programs of study at the Career Center, plus, a delicious meal prepared by the Pro Start students under the direction of Chef Benson.
Members dispersed to the various departments to listen to a more in depth presentation of the areas of study students are engaged in. Brittney Powell and Tyler Thurmer, current students at the Center, presented the information to the participants in a most business-like manner in the Business Department meeting. A slideshow presentation, created by the students, gave us a "tour" of the Career Center depicting students involved in classes in each department.
Members were given samples of products produced by the Business Department students. These included: brochure, morning and afternoon newsletters, course description guides for all business classes, a copy of the WV State Department "Programs of Study Transition Plan" for the business classes to be implemented in the 2012/2013 school year, and a Future Business Leaders of America magazine.
Business students are actively enrolled in the FBLA and hope to attend the State Convention this school year. Brittney discussed each sample and answered participants' questions.
Brittany and Tyler showed portfolios students have begun, to view and discuss. Students had placed examples of products they have already completed in their portfolios. Brittany explained the portfolios will be used for a job interview experience later in the school year. She stated students will continue to add products to their portfolios and list work experiences from job shadowing/internship placements, as a requirement for some of their coursework. The portfolios were very creative and individualized.
The remainder of the presentation comprised of Brittney and Tyler detailing student responsibilities in their classes and how they were able to gain business experiences throughout the Career Center itself, such as, working in the office, preparing the newsletters, creating slideshows, making business cards for the staff, and creating brochures for each Career Center Department.
The students also described how they sometimes created products for community organizations and businesses. Brittney liked doing the various projects as it gave her more learning experiences.
Both Brittany and Tyler commented on their learning experiences at the Career Center. They indicated how engaging, relevant, and beneficial their courses were and how interactive the learning was between instructor and student. They were very happy with the learning environment and look forward to the rest of the year there.
The meeting concluded with a question/answer session. Some of the members discussed their own personal experiences attending classes at the Career Center and how these classes helped define their careers. There are lots of future opportunities for the Calhoun-Gilmer Career Center students and they are being well-prepared for them.
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