Observation Assessment #1

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Type of Observation: Business Symposium

Mentor: N/A-

Business Symposium Location: Independence High School

Date: Wednesday, Oct 3 Time: 8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

 

Assessment:

 

           As an Independent Study and Mentor ship student we have the privilege to engage in activity and learning opportunities that other high school age students don’t get to experience. One of those opportunities include the Business Symposium. The Business Symposium is an event that included many professionals across many different career specifications, levels of expertise, and experience as well as prior ISM students and Mentee’s that have volunteered their time to undergo mock interviews, review our resumes, and engage in dialogue with us students. Furthermore, the Symposium includes seminars from a current business owner, Dr. Wysong, as well as, seminars from previous ISM students. As the individual in ISM 1 the event went in rotation of: interviews, seminar, Q&A time, more interviews, and a networking period with other current students and professionals.

          Before the Symposium, I didn’t know what to expect and I was a little bit nervous I wouldn’t be able to impress the professionals or that I wouldn’t be prepared enough to live up to the standards ISM has set up for the students. I expected them all to be professionals of my topic that I was interviewing with that I could be able to pull from for contacts and possibly further into a mentor ship, however that was also not the case.

          Through the experience I went on to realize that the atmosphere was a lot more casual than I expected and it was really a pleasure to be treated as a mature adult and respected for my ambitions. The professionals were open to listening to the information that I had and about what I am studying and provided me with great constructive feedback and tips on the interactions I had through interviews as well as the development of my resume. Being able to hear, and quickly apply the criticisms I received taught me how to be the best interviewer and interviewee possible. These are life skills that I could never get as a high schooler in a classroom, or even just on my own. My first interview was with a women that was so kind. She was incredibly intrigued in my field and plans I had displayed for her, and it was really encouraging to see her passionate about my passions. She is also a visible representation of the benefits of networking, because she worked at DXC, which is the same company my mother works for, she found my mother and connected with her to tell her how professional I was, and how impressed she was with my knowledge and communication skills. This is insight I wouldn’t know if I didn’t make this random connection, and it was private feedback that boosted me in a way that made me more confident in myself and my skills. My second interview was with a Texas Woman's University Admissions Counselor, which is a University that has one of the few Coordinated Program for Dietetics available in the state. So again, this is the marvelous miracles of networking. Her interview with me as fantastic, and she was so kind of and gave me such wholesome feedback and encouragement as well. She also forwarded her contact information to me so that if I need any help or information regarding TWU and interest there that she is happy to help. I would never of met these people, gained a newfound confidence, or understood professionalism the way I do now without taking the risks I did, standing outside my zone of comfort, or engaging with an openness to learn from the 2018 Business Symposium.

           In conclusion, I observed how different ages, different cultures, and different passions can all come together to teach one another skills, techniques, and information that can’t be provided without interpersonal connections and interactions.