The AIU’s Training and Consultation Program partnered with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Junior Achievement (JA) of Western Pennsylvania last month to host the annual Mock It ‘Til You Rock It event at JA’s BizTown facility in Bridgeville. Students from 12 schools and volunteers from 20 companies from across Allegheny County attended the event, which was sponsored by the UPMC center for Engagement and Inclusion. Through this event and others like it, students can feel more prepared as they begin their professional careers.
The annual event is made possible by Erin Grimm, Ed.D., Training & Consultation coordinator for the AIU’s Secondary Transition program. Professionals from local industries from medicine to broadcasting gave many students their first interview experience and offered valuable feedback. BizTown’s realistic storefronts provided an immersive atmosphere; simulated business settings added authenticity to the students’ career prep experiences.
Interviews can be intimidating, especially for new people entering the workforce. Students must market themselves and their accomplishments in front of experienced professionals, putting them under significant pressure. The volunteer interviewers at the event were prepared for this.
“I would try to give them compliments throughout the interview, like saying, ‘Hey, that was a great answer’ or ‘I totally do that too’ when students would share negative traits about themselves,” said Jenn Rogers, an interviewer for Carmeuse. “I want to give them reassurance that it’s not their age or experience — it’s something that all ages experience in interviews.”
As the students rotated through multiple interviews throughout the event, many began to acclimate to the experience and felt more confident. “I was nervous, but everyone was very friendly. They would ask me about myself and things I like to do. It helped to calm me down,” said Ashley, a student attending from Brentwood. “One of the interviewers had us start with a deep breath to relax.”
