High school students at Noli Indian School on the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Reservation have been learning how to prepare for future employment. A dozen freshmen put their interview skills to the test with community members who were on hand to walk them through a mock job interview on March 27. Following this, nine sophomores were asked to give group presentations.
Upon their arrival, Noli Principal Donovan Post welcomed Cyndi Lemke, Business Development Officer for Legacy Bank; Benigno Sandoval, Economic Development Manager for the City of Hemet; and Ronald Rhea, Director of Operations for the Soboba Economic Development Corporation. He thanked them for taking the time to work with the students to help them gain confidence and for when they encounter real-life interviews.
“This experience helps them in ways that go beyond this day, and we appreciate you helping them by sharing your knowledge with them,” Post said.
Academic Counselor Elizabeth La Cella said, “Many of our students lack the confidence to speak to adults that are not from the reservation. By hosting an interview skills day for 9th grade, it helps the students by introducing conversation through interviews. By 10th grade, we want our students to extend their skills to collaborative thinking and practicing presentation skills through a group session. The time limit on this presentation also helps them to work together ‘against the clock.’”
In the days leading up to the interviews, students were asked to complete an application and resume that was presented at the start of their interview for a potential host/cashier job with Soboba.
La Cella introduced interview skills day many years ago when she took over the English classes. “We realized these skills were needed to be strengthened in every class on our campus, so we continued the tradition of interview skills,” she said. “I believe these skills have carried on with our students into jobs, trade schools, and colleges they have attended. Many of our Soboba students are preparing to interview for summer jobs through TANF, so this component helps prepare them for their interviews.”
Noli Business Manager Genna Santini helped to facilitate the group presentation exercise that eight sophomore students were present to complete. Without prior prompts, they were asked to break up into small groups and develop a business of some type.
All three groups had the opportunity to visit with a community member to share their interests and future plans and ask questions prior to starting their presentation projects. Being with a group and not one-on-one helped the students open up more and listen to what was being shared about real-life work environments. Michael Malone IV is interested in attending trade school to learn more about being an HVAC technician, like his uncle. His favorite subject in school is math and he always takes pride in his work. Akwaalimay Resvaloso has an interest in cosmetology and is considering a career as an ultrasound technician.
The pair created their business plan for the Soboba Bakery where they would offer fresh-baked goods. Their website shared “About us” as well as pricing for the most popular items, contact information and hours of operation. While they said the website is used to promote their brick-and-mortar store, they can also ship orders to customers. Their homepage also included drawings of some of their items, which was an added feature that set their group apart from the others.
Another business plan was the “AVID Appetite” created by AVID students Jeffrey Arres, Eric Hampton and Nevaeh Ochoa. They presented about their plan to offer popular items for sale at different events as a fundraiser for the AVID students to be able to take field trips to college campuses and other places.
The third group created the “Mountain View Trade School” where they offer courses in many different fields and a variety of subjects. The group introduced themselves as Davina Masiel, Brian Lagunas and Isacc Torres.
Groups were given only 30 minutes to complete the assignment which required them to create a website home page for their business and present that to the community members who rated their presentation, using a rubric.
Similar to the areas students were judged on during the interview skills process, each group was judged on overall presentation, preparedness, clarity of speaking, posture and contact that showed whether they were confident, relaxed and maintained good eye contact when speaking.
The feedback from these events is shared with the students so they know what areas they can work on to improve their interview and presentation skills. It also assists La Cella. “By working as academic counselor, this process helps me in terms of what their goals and dreams are,” she said. “I am able to book trips and guest speakers based on what their interests are. This also helps me with our yearly college and career day in September. I am able to curtail the vendors based on their goals.”
The community members who participated found the experience very enjoyable. They were able to share personal stories and interests with their potential employees to make them feel less nervous and more connected.
Lemke told ninth-grader Kolokolomay Temanxwanvish, “I can tell you are prepared and ready for this; I would hire you if this was a real job interview.” The young man, who wore a dress shirt and tie, spoke clearly and made eye contact throughout the session. He also had questions for the “employer” at the end before excusing himself with another handshake.
La Cella said her biggest takeaway from the event was that the students took their assignments very seriously. “The ninth graders were dressed, prepared and had their resumes and applications in hand,” she said. “The presentations from the 10th-graders were unique and showcased the personalities of each student within the group setting.”
