Step Out, Step Up! Career Mentoring

Recently, middle school students from Washington County schools involved in our Career Mentor program had the opportunity to travel off-campus for an enriching experience accompanied by their mentors at Marietta College. This year’s event was built around the theme: Step Out, Step Up. Students and Mentors worked with the Marietta College Office of Civic Engagement and McDonough Leadership students to explore positive change, as well as ways to develop their strengths, collaboration and inquiry skills.

The program began with an opening speech by Jenna Stewart, a local, recent graduate of WSCC. Jenna described herself as having been a shy teenager who blossomed into an aspiring college student in Communication. Her advice to the students included staying true to yourself and what you love. Her story inspired the students to step out of their comfort zone in order to step up and try something new.

Activities designed to stretch everyone’s leadership skills were organized by Maribeth Saleem-Tanner from the college. Students and mentors worked in groups to construct a tower. Afterwards, groups discussed how they practiced stepping out of their comfort zone. Many of the students learned that they were able to step up to the challenge before them.

Not only did this day help students to practice their communication skills, increase their self-confidence, and meet students and adults from other districts, but they will also be able to use this day as a springboard for further discussions when working with their own Career Mentor.

Many of the students and mentors commented on the fun they had, and how much they appreciated the opportunity to come together for this event. Many thanks to Marietta College for making this happen for the second year in a row. Hopefully, we will visit again next year!

The BB2C Career Mentor program matches local volunteers with middle and high school students. The goal of the Mentor program is to help students develop decision-making skills that will aid them throughout the rest of their school years and will help them when choosing a career path that fits their needs and interests. If you would like to be involved, please, visit our page for more information.