(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Job interviews can be among the most stressful experiences for college graduates preparing to enter the workforce, but Texas State Technical College aims to ease that anxiety through its Interview Practicums.
Each semester, TSTC’s Career Services department organizes mock interviews, offering students the opportunity to sharpen their professional soft skills. TSTC employees and industry partners volunteer to conduct three rounds of interviews with each student, using a consistent set of base questions while also tailoring additional questions to the individual.
This week an Interview Practicum was held at TSTC’s Sweetwater campus, one of four West Texas locations where the events take place.
“During my first interview, I wasn’t as talkative,” said Stone Quain, a Diesel Equipment Technology student in Sweetwater. “I took that advice and made sure to talk more and show them I was more confident.”
Daniel Encinas, another Diesel Equipment Technology student, said he was encouraged to talk more about himself in the interview and explain why he would be a good employee.
“It was good to be able to do this with industry professionals who are actually part of the hiring process,” he said.
Alex DeLaGarza, a Diesel Equipment Technology instructor, said his goal was to help students become more comfortable in professional settings.
“I wanted them to feel at ease and be able to open up when they’re in front of people,” he said.
Earlier this month, Welding Technology students in Breckenridge took part in a practicum. Charlotte Cooper, an associate manager in Career Services at TSTC, described the event as a success.
“The students returned to class and shared how much they learned,” Cooper said. “They were open to coaching, which is always encouraging to hear.”
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.