Recently, our SEP High School Rise Class experienced a great hands-on opportunity coordinating, promoting and implementing a very successful event to help our juniors and seniors. Called Seminars for Students, the Rise Class developed the idea and learned how communication, detail orientation and teamwork are crucial skills in planning events.
Rise, a unique class for upperclassmen who are interested in getting firsthand experience in marketing, event planning and other business skills, found it rewarding not only to implement the event but also to listen to the guest speakers who provided helpful information to gain confidence when thinking of moving forward to college and career options.
This seminar focused on providing insight to current SEP juniors and seniors who are planning on going to college after graduation. A panel of 2020 graduates provided helpful information and advice on how to manage life after graduation and as first-year college students. The panel consisted of Emma Shaw, Tyler Mills, Meredith Vorwerk, Emma Slifka and Gabe Wilson.
Rise will be coordinating another event in the spring for students who are interested in going to trade school and/or apprenticeships after graduation. They are also working with the SEP Education Foundation on the Black and Gold Gala as well as meeting with local businesses like Planet Smoothie to help with marketing and event planning.
RISE is a project-based learning course that helps bridge the gap between coursework and the workforce. Students will be working with local businesses on projects that the business proposes in order to help further their own personal knowledge and skill set, while also gaining professional experience in an internship-like setting. To prepare for the work with local businesses or institutions, students will learn about what it means to be a professional, covering such topics as personal values and leadership, business communications, workplace dynamics, and project management. Students will also create a digital portfolio documenting all of their work throughout the semester. This course is beneficial for any student interested in further developing their professional skill set but is limited to juniors and seniors. Students must have appropriate clothing for meeting with business owners/contacts. This is a one-semester block-period course but can be repeated to make a full year. In the second semester, students receive management credit through DMACC.
Follow the class on social media @Sep_Rise.
