Merrill High School (MHS) invites community business owners to connect with future employees right at Merrill High School through an opportunity called the MHS Community Career Connections.
“The program is very simple and flexible but is very powerful for our students and our community,” according to Dr. John Sample, Merrill Area Public Schools Superintendent. “This program enables MHS students to become familiar with potential careers right here in the Merrill area.”
What is Community Career Connections?
Merrill employers come to MHS on a scheduled day and time and give a 30-minute presentation on their business, careers found in their organization, etc. Businesses can bring product samples, powerpoints, visuals, etc., to enhance their presentation. MHS staff member Breanne Semling will be happy to provide presentation tips. Employers answer student questions and discuss, if applicable, job shadowing opportunities.
When is Community Career Connections?
Every Tuesday through Friday from 9:30-10:10 a.m., students meet for a Flex Period and participate in enrichment, remediation or other activities. During this time, local businesses can pick a date that is convenient to them to visit MHS and meet with interested students during our Flex Period. Businesses can present on more than one occasion throughout the year.
How can my business get involved with the Community Career Connections?
The local business schedules a day to meet with MHS students through Breanne Semling at Merrill High School by calling 715-536-4594, ext 18103. MHS staff will advertise the presentation at MHS and students can self select to attend the presentation. In addition, students (known to be interested in various career clusters through the school’s Academic and Career Planning activities) will be invited to attend the sessions that align to their career interests.
Why did the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) start Community Career Connections?
In the summer of 2017, the MAPS district surveyed local businesses to better understand their needs as they relate to preparing students for future careers. The survey provided valuable information regarding the types of skills employers are looking for and what types of courses the district should consider adding. One of the primary messages to come out of that survey is that employers are looking for ways to connect to MHS students to make them aware of the opportunities that exist in the community.
MHS already has had several businesses participate in the Community Career Connections program this year and have heard great things from employers and students about this program. These business partnerships include Mitchell Metals, Agra Industries, Kindhearted Care, Weinbrenner, Gress Chiropractic, Tactical Search and Recruitment, Lincoln County Health Department, and Riverview Construction.
The purpose of the program is not necessarily to find immediate employees, but rather to plant the seeds for future graduates and potential employees.
Merrill High School Principal Shannon Murray commented, “MAPS surveyed the business community last summer to see how we can best serve their needs. One of the things to come out of that survey was the need to inform our students of the wide variety of career opportunities that exist right here in Merrill. This program is another way for students to learn more about careers, particularly careers in Merrill, to connect with professionals in our community, and for our community to have access to students to share the great opportunities that are available in Merrill.”
“The Merrill Area Public Schools are committed to our outreach initiatives and vested in supporting our business community,” stated Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gerald Beyer. “The passed referendum does not make us complacent. Rather, it allows us to focus on measures and improvements that the community has told us are important to them.”
“Local businesses and employers have shared with us that they need access to our students to make them aware of opportunities right here in the Merrill community, and we have responded by creating this Community Career Connections program,” noted Dr. Sample. “Please consider taking advantage of this no-cost opportunity to connect to your future employees by calling Bre Semling at 715-536-4594, ext. 18103.”
For more information, visit http://www.mapsedu.org/schools/high/academics/community-career-connections.cfm.