SHIM’s Job Talks adds to mentorship program
The impetus for Job Talks came from a Facebook poll to participants in SHIM’s teen mentoring program. The question was the typical, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Susie Backscheider, Coordinator of SHIM’s Mentoring Program, said the poll was prompted in an effort to uncover ways to help the teens with career exploration opportunities. According to Backscheider, 11 of the seniors in SHIM’s mentoring program graduated from high school last year with eight going on to college and three landing full-time jobs. “We want to keep that momentum going and help our kids achieve success in college or the workplace,” said Backscheider.
Job Talks are 90-minute interactive sessions conducted weekly for the 50 plus teens registered in SHIM’s mentoring program. Professionals volunteers spend 30 minutes talking about what led them to choose their particular career, what their typical work day looks like and the pros and cons of their jobs.
“We’re especially interested in hearing our guest speakers talk about how they entered the workforce in a lower-level job and advanced throughout their careers to positions in management,” said Backscheider. “We want our teens to know that they can have a chance to move up in the world as an adult.”
Following the presentations, the group engages in a hands-on activities and spends the remainder of the time asking questions and taking “selfies” with the guest presenter. Presenters to date have included a lawyer, nonprofit leader, operating room nurse, video game designer and an FBI agent.
SHIM’s mentoring program was initiated two years ago and has grown significantly from its inception. The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA recently awarded SHIM with a Striving for Excellence in Mentoring badge, which signifies SHIM’s dedication to high-quality mentoring.
Participants in SHIM’s mentoring program are refugee students residing in the Prospect Park vicinity of Whitehall Borough who come from a variety of countries, including Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar), and countries in southern and eastern Africa.