Career Day
In Spring 2022, the Centreville Rotary Club embraced a new initiative by holding the 1st Annual High School Senior Career Day. Superintendent Patricia Saelens came to the Rotary club with a goal to offer the non-college bound QAC high school graduating seniors a window of opportunity by learning about different types of careers and possibly even a job interview on the spot. Members of the Centreville Rotary Club worked in partnership with Queen Anne’s County Tourism and the Queen Anne’s County High School administration to identify seniors who may be looking for post-graduation employment.
Over 50 students signed up for the Career Day event. Arriving via school busses at the Centreville Methodist Church, the students gathered to learn and listen to several guest speakers who shared information about how to manage personal finances, write a resume, and prepare for interviews. Dale Walls, a local motivational speaker, who served in the military and founded Corsica Technologies, gave a robust presentation that offered students time to engage in questions. In addition to his current career, Walls is the founder of the Lions Guide, an organization with the mission to improve the lives of others in the area of personal and professional leadership development.
After a catered lunch, students had time to communicate with over 20 local businesses onsite that represented various careers. They were able to identify and meet with actual businesses that were of interest to them postgraduation. Businesses ranged from types of contracting work or trades to hair stylists and representatives from local, county and state government. Students were also given the opportunity to participate in the Chesapeake’s College’s new CDL simulator for the experience of driving a truck.
Overall the students gave the event such positive feedback that the Centreville Rotary Club hopes to make this an annual event. The club seeks to expand the participating diversity and number of local businesses and community organizations. Additionally, the Club would like to include students attending from the other high schools in the County.
