Experts in Residence – Engaging to Give Students Interview Practice

Feb 3, 2016 | Impact, Inquiry, Maker, Maverick, Upper School News

IMG_7889As a part of Mount Vernonโ€™s comprehensive college counseling program, many students in grades 9-12 recently participated in a mock interview exercise at MVPS.
While only a handful of colleges continueย to conduct personal interviews for admission purposes, Director of College Counseling Erin McCubbin and Associate Director Pam Ambler organize several interview nights for Mount Vernonย students to exercise their skills, becomingย more prepared whenย interviewing for admission to college, a scholarship opportunity, a summer internship or even for their first job.

Sewanee: The University of the South Admissionย Counselorย Curtis Johnson was on hand to share practical tips andย strategic techniques for successful interviews.

Providing students a real-world experience, several of Mount Vernonโ€™s Experts in Residenceย served as interviewers. Eachย interviewee participated in two 20-25ย minute interviews, receiving both written and verbal feedback after each. During the sessions students were posed questions such as:

  • What attributes of college most appeal to you?
  • What do you hope to experience in college?
  • How would your friends and family describe you?
  • Tell me about the most recent news article you read. Why did it catch your eye?
  • What are you known for at your high school?

Appreciating the time our Mount Vernon Experts in Residence contributed, many of them shared that the experience was well worth it and wereย most impressed that the students self selected for this opportunity.

Andy Anderson: Senior Producer, Hi-Rez Studios

Ellen Dalton: Chief Marketing Officer, Medecision

Cynthia Dautrich: Procurement Executive, Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Colin Kelly: Attorney, Alston & Bird, LLC

Holly Middleton: Clinical Psychologist

Jeff Schneider: Regional Director, Korn Ferry International

“Listening to the career aspirations of these students was inspiring.ย I applaud them for taking the initiative.”

Richard Wilcox: Consultant,ย Carr, Riggs and Ingram, LLC

โ€œThis event was fantastic. I think both the students and the parents learned and grew from the experience.ย  I think every student should have to go through this process.”

Experts in Residenceย is a successful, practical program at Mount Vernon, which allowsย our families to share real life experiences in our classrooms. Our parents are uniquely positioned to provide authentic input and feedback to students throughout each division atย our School.

Pam Ambler reflects on the night, “Our expertsย wereย so kind to spend their evening with us! Tonight was a great example of partnering across divisions.”
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