Millikin students get a jump on the interview process
Many students who are entering the professional world want to be as prepared as possible for interviews and networking opportunities. Students in Millikin University's School of Education were able to get a jump-start on developing their interviewing skills during the School's 4th Annual Interview Boot Camp on Feb. 23.
More than 30 seniors were able to practice their interviewing techniques with over 20 school administrators, and Millikin alumni, from across Illinois. The alumni helped the students prepare for what to expect in actual interviews.
"Millikin graduates, who are now school administrators, came back to campus to donate their day and help with the event," said Steffanie Seegmiller, coordinator of clinical practice for the School of Education. "Each student had two to three individual interviews with our alumni."
The event included a panel discussion that covered topics on what to expect as a first-year teacher and how to stand out when it comes to networking.
"An opportunity like this event is rare," said Seegmiller. "The administrators want to see Millikin graduates succeed and find jobs. They conduct a real interview with the students and then spend a few minutes giving them feedback. It prepares our candidates for the interview process and their journey to becoming an educator."
The idea for the boot camp started with a few alumni wanting to give back in their own way to Millikin.
Millikin alumnus Tom Mahoney '90, superintendent of CUSD #220 in Oregon, Ill., said, "We reached back out to the School of Education and started brainstorming ideas on what we could do to give back. The boot camp experience is not only about being prepared but also knowing the content of what you say and how it impacts the interviewer's perception of what you say."
Mahoney says the alumni were very impressed with the students and their preparation for the boot camp.
"The quality of education the students are getting now at Millikin is just as good if not stronger when I was there," said Mahoney. "The candidates were very prepared, had good depth of knowledge, and put thought into the information they shared with us."
