Describe the Issue or Situation.

East Carter Middle School has been looking for ways to cooperate with the community in different ways. They have started Mentorship Mondays. 4-H is privileged to be the community partner to speak to the students about interview skills and prepare them for their next steps.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

4-H partnered with East Carter Middle School where each middle schooler got to sit through an informative speaking engagement about the importance of a good handshake, eye contact, and the steps of an interview. They got to practice these skills with their peers during the engagement. The youth were then broken up into small groups to go around to different tables and practice their new skills and answer practice interview questions with an adult in the school system and community. They got to practice 13 interview questions, shaking hands with 6 different adults, and making eye contact.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

There were 491 youth participants in 6th-8th grade and 20 school and community volunteers. 

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

When asked about their experience, most of the students said that they hadn’t thought about interviews before the event and felt more comfortable with their handshake and how to make eye contact appropriately. Some of the 8th-grade students stated that they are more comfortable applying for clubs that have an interview when they get to high school.