Post-Secondary and Senior Experience Preparation:

This will be the final full week in class for many of you, and per our discussion on Friday, we've decided to focus our efforts on preparing for post-secondary experiences and preparation for our placements.  I enjoyed collaborating with you and have set forth the following goals for the week:

1. Analysis of common college and scholarship application questions
2. Completion of college and scholarship applications
1. Consultation with Guidance Department prior to submission of any applications
3. Interviews for PMG internship opportunity
1. Critique interviews 
2. Identify our four interns
4. Address proper attire for internships
1. Differentiate between school-appropriate and job-appropriate
5. Acquaint ourselves with a new partner - NIA Association
1. Learn about the organization
1. Analyze their website
2. Understand organizational goals
3. Identify employee character traits
2. Meet the CEO
3. Ask questions about internship opportunities
4. Apply for internship positions
6. Completion of N1 writing prompt

Below is a breakdown of how we will accomplish these goals:

Monday

As discussed Friday, you are to provide me with at least five commonly asked college and scholarship application questions/prompts.  Much like addressing interview questions, schools are looking for information about you that separates yourselves from other candidates.  We will analyze the questions, identify methods for differentiating you from others, develop "talking points" for your answers, and compose rough drafts for each of the questions presented.  You will create a Google Doc that will contain all the questions addressed in class and complete your drafts by the end of class.  By no means will this be a final draft, obviously, so you will use your own time to refine your work prior to submitting your essays when you fill out your applications.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, we'll acquaint ourselves with the NIA Association and then begin filling out some college and scholarship applications.  As described above, we will all visit the NIA Association website and try to learn as much about the organization.  You'll have 20 minutes to independently browse their website, noting as much as you can about what the organization is like.  The mission statement and company vision will be a good starting point for you.  

From there, your goals will be understanding the following:

• what they do
• who they serve
• where they are located
• how they present themselves

After your 20 minutes has expired, you will report out your findings to each other.  This exercise will help you formulate questions for CEO Carol Stevens when she visits us on Wednesday.  

With the remaining class time, you will begin working on your college and scholarship applications.  Because I am not an expert in this, our guidance department has graciously offered to field any of your application questions via email.  At the end of the period, you will report your progress to me.  I will simply circulate the room in the last 7 minutes of class and ask for a status update.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, Carol Stevens, CEO of the NIA Association will visit our class to discuss internship opportunities for this school year.  Dr. Heaston, current principal of Kenwood Middle School, initiated this partnership two years ago with Mrs. Stevens, and we are now able to enjoy the fruits of his labor.  Mrs. Stevens will discuss the organization in detail, explain what she is looking for in an ideal intern, and field any questions you may have regarding the opportunity.  I expect you all to have some questions for her, so please be prepared.  

After this, we will finish our internship interviews for PMG.  While observing the interviews, you are to fill out the Interview Critique Form for each interview and we will discuss the strengths and areas of improvement for each student, as well as explain why or why not the student should be considered for the position.  

Thursday

On Thursday, I will address proper attire for your placements, whether you are working at Hardees or interning in an office setting, and then allow you to work on college/scholarship applications.  After the business attire discussion, our goal is to complete at least three college and/or scholarship applications.  Because many of you have expressed an interest in completing these with class time, and since post-secondary preparation is so vital, you will again have some class time to help you meet your goals.  As previously mentioned, our guidance staff is available via email to assist you if you have any specific questions that I am unable to address.  By the end of the period, you should send me proof that you completed your applications to receive credit.

Friday

On Friday, you will complete your N1 writing prompt.  I found an article about workplace harassment that can help you prior to beginning your placement.  Because I will be out of the building, your assignment will be posted in Edmodo.  I've included a link to the article and the scoring rubric in this post and in Edmodo.  Your prompts must be submitted to Edmodo to receive credit.  

That's it for this week.  For many of you, I'll only see you once or twice a week moving forward, so let's make the most of our time together.