This past Thursday, several classes at Newsome High School followed a rather different dress code; a dress code that consisted of blazers, bow ties, and other business professional garments. The occasion for the rather sharp ensembles? A mass job interview set up by a team of Newsome’s reading, english, and speech teachers led by none other than Mr. Cornwell. Professionals from all different facets of the working world agreed to ask mock interview questions to participating students. These questions focused on character and work ethic instead of questions specific to a particular job.

This elaborate and innovative idea was sparked by a pair of flip flops. Mr. Cornwell said he and other teachers were sharing stories they’d heard about kids going to job interviews in T-shirts and flip flops. Cornwell wanted to use this day to stress to his students how important it is to dress appropriately- closed toed shoes especially. Junior Rachel Small says, “I believe dressing nice for this experience helped because if you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you succeed,” Well said.

This day went beyond the khakis and buttons downs, however. Ms. Emery says this day also connects the “bridge of school to community,” she continued, “It gives them (students) real life experience with someone other than their teacher,” Emery says. Students often complain that the lessons they learn in class aren’t applicable to real life, Emery believes it’s important for students to understand that the things they do at school are transferrable to the real world. Students practiced their resume skills and a few even had a class on how to tie a tie.

The interviewers were not the only participants asking the questions, students were told to prepare a lists of questions themselves. Small asked her interviewer, “What kind of personality traits are you looking for?” Junior Mason Coletta, who intends on going into marketing asked his interviewer for his business card. Preparation did not just occur within the classroom, junior Beau Nichols says that he ran over questions with his mom beforehand. Every student interviewed said they felt completely prepared and ready.

Mr. Jewett, a featured interviewer, said that the interviews were great and every student already knew what they wanted to do career wise. Jewett believes it is essential to love what you do and to “make it a game”, he says enjoying your job is the secret to success. The secret to this workshop? Job interviews aren’t just a series of questions and answers. They’re a test of compatibility, a test of confidence. This event was put together by a group of teachers who truly care about the current and future success of their students. “These are our kids and our kids are going to be successful,” Emery says smiling.