SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C.—Airmen came together to host a workshop for local middle and high school students for an afternoon of interviewing lessons at the Carolina Skies Club, at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina July 24, 2019.
This is the first year the 20th Force Support Squadron held a job interview workshop to prepare students to succeed in the workforce.
“I learned it is good to keep strong eye contact and to dress formally,” said Bryce McFadden, Bates Middle School student. “This is my third time on base and every time I leave it’s with a lot of what my momma calls ‘good learning experiences.’”
Sarah Sloan, 20th Force Support Development director, said she came thought of the idea with a friend who was trying to teach her daughter how to dress for an interview. It was during that conversation she realized this was something her unit could help with and quickly recruited Airmen who wanted to teach and be involved with local youth.
“I just got done interviewing my superintendent’s son, so to be able to go back to the master sergeant that works with me and tell him his son definitely has a lot of good habits is very rewarding,” said Capt. Amanda Essary, 20th FSS operations officer. “It’s good to see the teenagers are being proactive and taking action as well. I think being able to practice it instead of learn from other people’s horror stories helps them a lot.”
Derek Rhems, 20th FSS marketing and promotions director, said the four hour course gave the students exposure to the real world work forceS. Having never before been exposed, they were able to get a test run interview without the pressure of having to do it in real life.
Students who are interested in participating in future workshops may go to the McElveen Library on base, or call at 803-895-4518 and request to be a part of the summer reading program.