(RED OAK, Texas) – Students at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus got meaningful practice for job hunting during this week’s Interview Practicum hosted by the TSTC Career Services department.
A mix of industry professionals and TSTC staff worked with students during at least two rounds of interview questions to critique their presentations, including attitude, technical knowledge, and both nonverbal and verbal communication. There was also a virtual interview option that students could choose. The event was held June 16-18 for TSTC students in various technical programs.
Jarrett Blankenship, an environmental supervisor at Oncor in Lancaster, said several students were prepared but some needed a little help in selling themselves.
“You have to coax what they know out of their minds,” Blankenship said.
Bernard Charnoski, of Midlothian, is in his third semester of TSTC’s Welding Technology program. He said he has been welding since he was 15.
Charnoski said he learned that he needs to work on his resume and how he introduces himself.
“Most schools don’t offer this,” he said. “It’s awesome that TSTC does that.”
Charnoski said he wants to get a good welding job after graduation later this year and eventually pursue work in the nuclear power field.
Anthony Pelerose, of Palmer, is in his second semester in the Welding Technology program. His first simulated interview was the virtual option with a Career Services staff member from TSTC’s Marshall campus.
Pelerose said he wanted to participate in the session to learn how to be prepared for job interviews. He said the virtual option was less difficult and he was not as nervous when answering questions.
“I need to learn how to quickly question and answer so I don’t have to sit there and think,” Pelerose said.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.