Students learn ways into the working world

Today’s high school students, some might argue, expect things to be handed to them, shy from work because “this is too hard,” and always seek the easy way out.

High school students from York, Chester and Lancaster counties acknowledged the perceptions Thursday, but were quick say there are those who do work hard, seek challenges and want to be leaders.

The motivated students – more than 350 of them – were told Thursday there is “much to learn” when it comes being an employed, productive member of a company. The students attended the annual Business and Student Engagement luncheon sponsored by Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas and the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Business leaders representing 36 regional companies also were on hand, filling the ballroom of the Baxter Hood Center at York Technical College.

Each table of students had a business leader who facilitated the discussions on what job traits employers value, the impact of social media on the hiring process and whether there are benefits to internships.

“It’s all about managing their opportunities,” said Tom Drumwright, senior manager for human resources at Meritor of York. “This event helps students learn from people who have been there.”

Drumwright’s advice to the students was to put themselves in the shoes of the person doing the interview. “What does that person need to see so I can be a contributor?” Drumwright said.

Apprenticeships and mentors can help put students on that path, he said.

MacKenzie Coley, a student at Indian Land High School, said she learned it was “about giving and getting respect.” Her classmates added it was about “never giving up and taking advantage of the opportunities you make.”

Brooks Harper, author of “Why Should We Hire You?”, stressed that students need to master the “soft skills” as well their education. The impression you make in the first minute can often be the deciding factor in whether you get the job, he said. When his daughter went on her first interview, Harper said they practiced the “professional” handshake many times before her interview.

Harper said students are often “sitting on a oil field of skill sets business needs,” they just don’t know how to present those skills in a business context. Any child who has convinced their parents to buy them something the child wants “has sales skills,” Harper said.

Key soft skills, Harper said, are accountability, attitude, respect and loyalty.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Students learn ways into the working world."