CHS students learn about job market

Date: 2/23/2011

Feb. 23, 2011

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE — Chicopee High School (CHS) junior Darlina Giec needed a job and she was working to find one through a program conducted at CHS that not only prepared students for job interviews, but also provided the interviews.

Set up around the library at CHS, were representatives from a number of local businesses seeking to hire. They included Stop & Shop, Applebee's and Kmart, among others.

Kara Blanchard, the community-student workforce developer for Chicopee Public Schools, explained this was the second year for the Work Readiness Program based on Junior Achievement's Success Skills.

This was the first year employers were directly participating. Sixty students attended the eight-hour program.

Blanchard explained the students spent 20 minutes at the various stations set up at the library. Some of the tables were reserved for the job interviews, while others had instructional materials to aid in a job search.

Giec explained the students learned how to prepare for a job interview, including how to dress and how to behave as professionals. She added the class also has taught them about skills they already have that could be of interest and value to employers.

For Giec , who has had baby-sitting jobs, her goal was to land a part-time job with one of the participating businesses.

Students who completed the course received a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation.

Blanchard said there was also a similar program designed for Chicopee Comprehensive High School.