Success Story4-H Prepares Youth for Future Careers with Career Readiness



4-H Prepares Youth for Future Careers with Career Readiness

Author: Leslie Bullock

Planning Unit: Franklin County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Developing leadership skills for youth and adults

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Workforce preparation is a major concern in our global economy. Employers are reporting that young workers lack communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem solving skills necessary in today’s workplace. The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service has addressed these concerns by providing intentional workforce preparation experiences including education, experience and reflection. In the 2018-2019 program year, youth in 6th through 12th grades participated in a variety of 4-H career awareness programs. The Careers teacher at Elkhorn Middle School approached the 4-H Agent to help prepare these youth for the future.  The focus included distinguishing career clusters, recognizing types of jobs within the cluster, completing a job application, creating resumes, practicing mock job interviews and improving communication skills. 217 Students in Careers classes at the Middle School participated in this program in cooperation of the 4-H Agent and Career's teachers. Community members came in to the classroom to speak on their careers, tips for resume writing and interview preparation. Those community members that represented such organizations such as UK, KSU, Kiwanni's, YMCA, State Government and Education came in to interview these students for a Introductory position such as McDonald's Crew Member. Youth came out of the class with a resume, completed job application as an example for future careers, knowledge of professional dress and having practiced interviewing with adults. A young lady shared the following statement after the completion of the program, "Interviewing was scary to me, getting questioned by a stranger scared me half to death. After doing this class I feel prepared. I have a resume, examples of questions and have been through a interview with constructive criticism gave back to me in order for improvement."