Lincoln County High School has PRIDE. 

The local high school boasts of creating citizens who are Prepared, Respectful, Involved, Dependable, and Engaged. On March 28, LCHS saw a shining example of that PRIDE in the 8th Annual Mock Interview Day.

Seniors donned business casual to professional attire for the event as dozens of community members were on hand, volunteering their time to give the students the job experience in an interview setting.

The Mock Interview Day was the culmination of weeks of study and preparation in choosing careers and applying for jobs. Senior English teachers, Rachel Hisel, McClee Manion, Courtney Martin, and Stephanie Melton worked with the seniors during the Career Unit to prepare them with the proper research skills to learn about various careers of their interest and develop and revise job applications, cover letters, and résumés. After several rounds of preparation, the seniors were put to the real test in the annual Mock Interview Day.  

With the help of Mindy Stevens, Youth Service Coordinator, all students were held to the standards of professional dress as they got the full experience of looking the part for the interview. The impression given by the students was that they were ready and willing. Teachers were relieved to see that the students are able to boldly and confidently take that next step into life.

Rebecca Shearer, Missy Robbins, and Kendra Mitchell were instrumental in organizing and hosting our community volunteers. It was their ability to see the big picture that allowed them to organize 225 seniors into slots of interview sessions with professionals ranging from police state troopers, game warden, nurse professionals, actor, tech guru, engineers, doctors, mechanic, therapist, educational specialists, business owners and jacks of all trades!

The students saw the value of what this Mock Interview Day meant for their future. Chase Phillips said, “What helped me most is that I knew what to expect and I was prepared for the questions I was asked.” In the preparation sessions students rehearsed potential questions and answers to polish their speaking and listening skills.

Courtney Gooch saw this activity as an opportunity for students to “step out of their comfort zone and express their qualifications to potential employers.” Students really felt the pressure of what a potential employer would expect in an interview. Dressed for success with their cover letter and resume in hand, students boldly faced their interviewers in preparation for future jobs.

Josh Salyers advises next year’s senior class “to not overthink the interview, and to have parents randomly ask interview questions and shake hands more often.”  In English IV classes students readied themselves with research into the job learning to communicate their findings and their accomplishments as they improved their oral and written communication skills.

A major highlight of this 8th Annual Mock Interview at LCHS, is that some employers came scouting for new recruits. Select students were offered jobs that day, some were offered a second interview after graduation, and some were invited to come back after finishing college classes, certifications, etc.

At the end of the day, when students loosened their ties and kicked off their high heels, they were reflective of their accomplishments. So many were relieved, some were elated, and others were just glad it was over. Students, like Natalie Lynn, left feeling, “confident in regards to my future aspirations.”  

Teachers saw PRIDE. Students had experienced the value of being Prepared, Respectful, Involved, Dependable, and Engaged.