By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Managing Editor

Some Rim High seniors have already been through the process of interviewing; others have not. But all will have to be interviewed at some point in their futures – for scholarships, for college admission, for jobs, to enter the military.

To help prepare the students for that process, volunteers from the community led them through a mock interview process over three days before the winter break.

Each student brought his or her portfolio to the interview. These binders were well prepared and included an essay on their goals, a personal statement and an autobiography, a letter to someone they admire, a sample job application letter and their transcripts.

The interview – which was graded by the volunteer – counts as part of the students’ senior portfolio grade.

The students were graded on whether they dressed professionally and if they demonstrated appropriate interpersonal skills (such as shaking hands and maintaining eye contact). They were asked to explain a problem they had overcome and to discuss their short- and long-term goals. In conjunction with the goals, the students were asked what skills they had gained in high school that they would apply in the workplace.

As one of the interviewers, this reporter found the Rim seniors to be superior students. They presented themselves well and expressed themselves clearly. Most had very definite career aspirations while a few were still exploring possibilities.