Resumes and portfolios that work: Are you ready to interview?

4-H Exploration Days adds new workforce preparation session for 2017, focusing on resumes, portfolios and interviewing skills.

4-H Exploration Days is one of Michigan State University’s pre-college programs. The 2017 program will take place at the MSU campus in East Lansing, Michigan, June 21-23, with registration beginning in mid-March. This year, a new session will be held that grew out of previous career exploration and interviews for success sessions. Session #302, “Resumes and Portfolios That Work: Are You Ready to Interview?” is a full session that equals nine hours of hands-on education.

This new session for 2017 was created based on suggestions from past participants who wanted to go further beyond their resume work. They wanted a chance to work on portfolios as another piece of preparing for their future.

As a part of the session, participants will discover what employers are looking for in resumes and portfolios. They will create a resume, learn about portfolios and start to create a portfolio by preparing an abbreviated version. This session will help participants communicate the life skills they have gained through 4-H, work, school and volunteer experiences to potential employers, scholarship providers or colleges.

The session will wrap up the final morning with mock interviews with professionals, feedback about answering difficult questions and tips for how to make a positive first impression. The “Resumes and Portfolios That Work: Are You Ready to Interview?” session is geared for young people ages 14 and up.

Participants will leave this session with increased confidence, networking practice, their resume in hand and a drafted short portfolio. This is done with the help of campus and off-campus staff in addition to the expertise of a variety of community volunteers that really enjoy sharing their experiences with young people. If this sounds like something that interests you, consider attending this session at 4-H Exploration Days. You do not have to be a current 4-H participant to attend.

Also new this year, digital badges, which fit perfectly with resumes and portfolios, will be offered for participation at 4-H Exploration Days. As a part of our electronic world, digital badges are another way to communicate and show what someone has learned or demonstrated via technology. Think of the possibilities and join us for three, action-packed days of education and adventure at MSU! TO learn more or to register, go to 2017 4-H Exploration Days.

To learn more about the positive impact of MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H career preparation, money management and entrepreneurship programs, read the Impact Report: “Preparing Michigan Youth for Future Careers and Employment.”

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