Format
Workshop
First Presenter's Institution
University of Georgia
Second Presenter's Institution
University of Georgia
Third Presenter's Institution
NA
Fourth Presenter's Institution
NA`
Fifth Presenter's Institution
NA
Location
Session 5 Breakouts
Strand #1
Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership
Strand #2
Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership
Relevance
This presentation will cover a series of lessons created by University of Georgia faculty to teach youth career readiness skills, a subset of the Head strand. Many youth, particularly those in at risk environments, do not receive formal education in how to engage with others in a professional setting. These lessons provide simple guidelines and practical activities for all youth to learn to present themselves to others as a professional.
Brief Program Description
This presentation will cover a series of lessons created by University of Georgia faculty to teach youth basic professionalism skills. These lessons provide simple guidelines and practical activities for all youth to learn to present themselves to others as a professional.
Summary
This presentation will cover a series of four lessons created by University of Georgia faculty to teach youth career readiness skills. Many youth, particularly those in at risk environments, do not receive formal education in how to engage with others in a professional setting. Participants will receive an overview of the need for professionalism training for youth and an in-depth experience with each of the lessons. These lessons provide simple guidelines and practical activities for all youth to learn to present themselves to others as a professional. Lessons include:
- Professional Communication 101 - email and phone etiquette
- Interviews 101 - preparing for successful interviews
- Thank You Notes - when and how to write appropriate thank you notes
- Professional Dress - knowing what to wear at professional events
Each of the lessons will be reviewed and selected activities from each lesson will be demonstrated to the participants. Participants will also view data related to the implementation of these lessons in two different youth audiences.
Lessons will be provided to all participants via email following the presentation for use with their own youth audiences.
Evidence
According to the 2007 Every Promise, Every Child: Turning Failure into Action report, a large percentage of young people preparing to enter the workforce over the next two decades are significantly lacking in the “soft” or applied skills — such as teamwork, decision-making, and communication — that will help them become effective employees and managers. (Skills To Pay The Bills). According to the Georgia Department of Education, career development is a vital part of one's educational tenure and is a school-wide initiative. Georgia's new career development initiative was selected as one of Georgia's educational frameworks adapted from the National Career Development Guidelines (NCDG). The new initiative will require students to explore various career paths and interests in grades K-8 and select a career path to study in depth in grades 9-12. These students will need guidance in this task as well as assistance with the development of their soft skills. This practice contributes to the Georgia 4-H mission of providing youth with opportunities that lead to a self-directed and contributing adulthood.
These lessons are currently being shared with employees of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to be used with their clients. They are also undergoing peer review through the Georgia 4-H Agent Resources publication process and will be utilized by the newly created statewide Georgia 4-H Ready 4 Life Ambassador team of youth teaching their peers about workforce preparedness. Evaluation data from both of these audiences will be available by the time of the presentation.
Learning Objectives
Participants in this workshop will be able to:
- Describe the importance of professionalism skills for youth entering postsecondary endeavors
- Utilize lessons provided with their respective youth audiences on preparing to be a professional
Biographical Sketch
Allie Griner is the County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development in Gordon County, Georgia and has been in her current role for 6 years. She provides oversight to the county 4-H program of over 1,700 enrolled youth and nearly 50 volunteers in over 90 clubs.
Abbie Salmon is the County Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development in Floyd County, Georgia and has been in her current role for 7 years. She provides oversight to the county 4-H program of over 800 enrolled youth involved in 42 clubs.
Keyword Descriptors
workforce preparedness, career readiness, life skills, soft skills
Presentation Year
2021
Start Date
3-9-2021 11:25 AM
End Date
3-9-2021 11:25 AM
Recommended Citation
Griner, Alexandria and Salmon, Abbie, "Preparing to Be a Professional" (2021). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 29.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2021/2021/29
Included in
Preparing to Be a Professional
Session 5 Breakouts
This presentation will cover a series of lessons created by University of Georgia faculty to teach youth basic professionalism skills. These lessons provide simple guidelines and practical activities for all youth to learn to present themselves to others as a professional.
