Summer Youth Program – Career Exploration Opportunities

LifeWorks - Career Exploration Opportunities

Nine students from Greenbrier West, Greenbrier East, and James Monroe High Schools participated in a 4-day Summer Youth Program called Career Exploration Opportunities.

It was held July 22-25, 2019 at the Gwen Clingman Center. The event was held by LifeWorks, a community rehabilitation program, and sponsored by the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Topics covered included job exploration, post-secondary education opportunities, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy. Students participated in mock job interviews, completing online employment applications. How a bill becomes a law, social media and internet safety as well as many other activities related to obtaining and maintaining employment were covered.

Guests who presented to the students included Debbie White with Greenbrier County Board of Education, Roger Griffith with New River Community and Technical College, Tatiana Mynuk with Open Doors, Inc., Senator Stephen Baldwin, and Sarah Riley with High Rocks and The Hub. The students actively participated and had fun while learning.

Lifeworks: Steps for Success

Lifeworks Lewisburg WV

Pictured: From left, Amber Hinkle, Julius McMillan, Dr. Beverly Ford, Demon Gary, Eli Barnette, Liz Pitzer and Cindy Tucker.

Lifeworks, a CRP (community rehabilitation program) which is a division of Open Doors, Inc. held a workshop titled “Steps for Success” on May 2nd. It was held at the Gus R. Douglass Building at the State Fairgrounds.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Beverly Ford from Durham, NC.  Dr. Ford holds a PhD in counseling psychology, and does a variety of trainings geared toward human service professionals, and youth.

This workshop was attended by juniors and seniors from Greenbrier East and Greenbrier West High Schools, a total of 90 students.  Dr. Ford’s presentation was very interactive, discussing change, as these students prepare to leave high school to enter the world of work, or to go on to high education.

They also discussed their success stories, learned tips on interviewing, and ways to use their network of acquaintances, such as friends, neighbors, church, grocery store, and so on to learn about job openings that may be filled before they are ever advertised.  The students had lunch, and several door prizes were given away.

This workshop was made possible through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.