On November 20th, members of the Granville Rotary Club, along with other civic-minded community volunteers, continued a decade-long tradition with Granville CSD Seniors. Rotary members conducted mock interviews with 37 Granville High School seniors. Organized by teacher Marc Lambert as part of his College Preparatory and Workforce English courses, the event was a valuable learning experience for students preparing for life after high school. Students in Dave Cosey’s Syracuse University Personal Finance class also participated.
Rotary members have been bringing this program to Granville CSD for over a decade. Members Dave O’Brien and Dan Yauger managed the logistics, ensuring a smooth process. Yauger shared, “The Granville Rotary Club is proud to be part of this program. It’s a great opportunity for students to practice their interview skills and get feedback that helps them grow. We are grateful to the students, the school district, and everyone involved.”
The mock interviews followed a format developed by Granville’s Rotary sister club in Wrexham Erdigg, North Wales. Students shared their background and answered questions about their interests, goals, and future plans for education or job training. Interviewers, who included Rotary members and local volunteers, completed feedback forms for each student, giving them valuable insight to improve their skills.
The goal of the program is to help seniors practice interviewing in a supportive, low-pressure setting. Students are assessed on their ability to discuss career goals, work experiences, and personal interests, as well as on their overall presentation, body language, and communication skills. At the end, they receive a brochure titled “For Your Next Interview” to further guide their preparations.
“The mock interviews give students a chance to practice in real-life situations and get feedback from accomplished community members,” said Lambert. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the Rotary and the time the interviewers donate to help our students.”
Students praised the program for its effectiveness. Carter Powell said, “The interviews were very informative, and I feel more prepared for future interviews.” Ava Warren added, “The mock interviews were helpful, and I’m thankful to the interviewers for making the experience so valuable.”
Plans are already underway to continue the Rotary Mock Interviews next fall, continuing this important tradition of preparing students for success.
RESOURCES
Here is a fun video on the Granville CSD Facebook page highlighting this year's Mock Interview Day.
Here is the link to learn more about the Granville Rotary Club.
Here is the link to the Granville Rotary Club on Facebook.