Preparing the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow is essential for ensuring long-term success. As our students begin thinking about college, career, and life beyond high school, it is crucial that we offer them learning opportunities that provide essential life skills in addition to classroom learning.

To help set students up for future success, corporate volunteers from Ernst & Young (EY), a company with one of the largest professional services networks in the world, took a day to volunteer at Savanna High School in Anaheim and conduct mock interviews.

More than a test score, more than an exam score—it’s going to be how they perform in the real world and that’s why we love having these types of events. –Israel Rubio, Assistant Principal, Savanna High School

Nearly 40 high school juniors and seniors participated in the three hours of activities, which included a morning meet and greet, an EY Job Preparation presentation, mock interviews, and a lunch mixer. Corporate volunteers discussed important topics with students, such as creating an effective resume and cover letter, preparing for a job interview, and the importance of following up after the interview.

I just think it is so important to support the next generation. We want to be able to use the skills and all the blessings that we’ve had over the years to give them a leg up whenever possible. –Javier Moreno, Senior Manager of Assurance, Ernst & Young

Students were paired up with corporate volunteers from EY both virtually and in person. Each student was able to participate in two 25-minute mock interviews and were provided with verbal and written feedback. “Virtual interviews through the computer are becoming more of a standard and it’s nice to be able to give the students kind of that experience as well,” shared Javier Moreno, Senior Manager of Assurance at EY.

I learned that I have a lot of experiences to share and a lot of moments to talk about, so I was happy that this experience wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be. –Leon, Senior, Savanna High School

The students’ written mock interview feedback will be included in their Savanna High School Capstone Portfolio, which serves as evidence that the student has met core competencies for college and career readiness and prepares them to meet future personal goals as they continue their education. At the end of their senior year, students will share and explain their work orally to a panel of teachers and community members. This experience includes time for students to respond to questions about their experiences, learning, and goals.

The mock interview day was offered through Youth Career Connections (YCC), Orange County United Way’s work-based learning program that infuses classroom learning with real-world experiences. YCC is part of the United for Student Success℠ initiative, which aims to ensure local students receive the support they need to graduate on time and are prepared for college, career, and beyond.

Thank you to Ernst & Young for their continued partnership in supporting Orange County students by providing career insight and sharing employability skills!

And thank you to Savanna High School for hosting this impactful event!

Is your company interested in corporate volunteering opportunities?