Sample Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction: 15 minutes.

• Extend a warm welcome to the students and provide an overview of the day’s activities.
• Provide a printed session agenda for students to preview the day’s events and to take notes.

Facility Tour and Departmental Insights: 30 minutes

• Share your dress requirements for your organization.
• Conduct a guided tour of your company’s facilities, showcasing the various departments and their respective functions.
• Introduce students to key staff members representing diverse roles within the organization.

Industry Insights and Career Opportunities: 30 minutes

• Engage the students with an interactive presentation on the industry’s trends, challenges, and prospects.
• Provide students with real-world connections and insights into diverse career opportunities within the industry.

Immersive Job Shadowing Experience: 1 hour, 45 minutes

• Assign students to shadow employees in departments aligned with their interests, allowing them to observe real-time tasks and responsibilities.
• Plan an activity or exercise for the student, if applicable.
• Encourage students to actively participate and ask questions, gaining hands-on exposure to potential career pathways.

Group Meal with Employees: 30 minutes

• Provide a networking opportunity for students to interact with employees from different departments and levels.
• Facilitate conversations about their career journeys and skills as well as the company’s organizational culture.

Career Guidance and Reflective Session: 30 minutes

• Gather students for a brief group discussion to reflect on their observations and experiences during the job-shadowing period.
• Provide career guidance and mentorship based on students’ interests and aspirations.
• Hold a debriefing session.

Important:

• Employees paired with students will need to have a background check.

Participating Schools & Students

To prepare students to make the most of the opportunity:

Host a student success workshop the week prior to the event.

• Review the following:
• Understand the dress code:
  • An office setting may require a dress shirt or polo vs. a tee shirt.
  • A manufacturer’s plant may require closed-toe footwear vs. sandals.
• Research the employer:
  • Read their company overview.
  • What is their industry or business?
  • What products do they make or sell?
  • How long have they been in business?
• Research the industry:
  • Get a basic understanding of the field and its most recent trends.
  • Find out what kind of jobs this industry offers.
• Based on your research, write down at least two questions to ask your hosts.

Student to-do list:

• Be on time.
• Learn the name and the job of the employee you are shadowing.
• Maintain eye contact when speaking to someone.
• Bring a small notepad and take notes.
• Thank your hosts at the end of the event.
• Write a brief thank you note that includes a takeaway from the day.

Miscellaneous:

• Chaperones: 10 students per chaperone. PLANit Sarasota and Sarasota County Schools are encouraged to assist.
• Professional development opportunity for teachers.

Sample Agenda:

Welcome and Introduction: 15 minutes.

• Extend a warm welcome to the students and provide an overview of the day’s activities.
• Provide a printed session agenda for students to preview the day’s events and to take notes.
• If available offer a folder with business cards. 

Company Tour and Introduction to Company Leaders: 1 hour, 15min

• Conduct an in-depth guided tour of your company’s facilities, showcasing the various departments and their respective functions.
• Provide a behind-the-scenes view of your organization or operations.
• Introduce students to company leaders and key staff members representing diverse roles within the organization.

Industry Insights and Career Opportunities: 30 minutes

• Engage the students with an interactive presentation on the industry’s trends, challenges, and prospects.
• Provide students with real-world connections and insights into diverse career opportunities within the industry.

Group Meal with Employees: 30 minutes

• Provide a networking opportunity for students to interact with employees from different departments and levels.
• Facilitate conversations about their career journeys and skills as well as the company’s organizational culture.

Interactive Session – Reflection and Q&A: 1 hour

• Engage students in a guided reflection session to discuss their observations and experiences during the company tour.
• Provide career guidance and mentorship based on students’ interests and aspirations.
• Engage staff from various levels to discuss with students the following:
• How they got their position and the education they needed.
• Why they enjoy their jobs.
• Their career pathways to date.
• Conduct a question-and-answer session with company leaders, allowing students to gain insights from experienced professionals.

Wrap Up: 15 minutes:

• Allow time for students to network and make connections with the company representatives who guided them through the day, providing them a chance to reach out for future inquiries.
• Conclude the program with a brief expression of gratitude to the company leaders and staff for their valuable time and insights.

Participating Schools & Students

Prepare students to make the most of the opportunity by:

Have a student success workshop the week prior to the event.

• Review the following:
• Understand the dress code:
  • An office setting may require a dress shirt or polo vs. a tee shirt.
  • A manufacturer’s plant may require closed toe footwear vs. sandals.
• Research the employer:
  • Read their company overview.
  • What is their industry or business?
  • What products do they make or sell?
  • How long have they been in business?
• Research the industry:
  • Get a basic understanding of the field and its most recent trends.
  • Find out what kind of jobs this industry offers.
• Based on your research write down a couple of questions to ask your hosts.

Student to-do list:

• Be on time.
• Maintain eye contact when speaking to someone.
• Bring a small notepad and take notes.
• Thank your hosts at the end of the event.
• Take a group picture at the site and use it as a class “thank you” card.

 Miscellaneous:

• Chaperones: 10 students per chaperone. PLANit Sarasota and Sarasota County Schools are encouraged to assist.
• Professional development opportunity for teachers.

Purpose:

For many students, especially first-generation-in-college and low-income students, that first job interview as well as college interviews can be intimidating. That’s why we provide the opportunity for students to meet with a kind, encouraging, knowledgeable adult who can provide insight into the interviewing process and conduct mock interviews.

Activity:

Help students enhance their interviewing skills and gain confidence in a professional setting. This practical experience will be invaluable for students as they prepare to enter the workforce.

This opportunity is meant to be done in a series with a resume-writing workshop. Students will complete the resume writing workshop and then come back the following week with their new resumes and conduct mock interviews.

Mock Interview Agenda:

• Interview the student.
• Evaluate the interview based on a preset list of criteria. (Amy to provide)
• Provide feedback for the students.
• Allow students to process feedback and ask questions.
• Take a short break.
• Place the student with another interviewer.
• See if the student improves from the previous score.
• Provide feedback, encouragement, and a short list of areas for improvement.