News - April 11, 2022
Grace College Organizes Annual Mock Interview Event for Students with Area Businesses
Nearly 40 Grace College students participated in the annual Mock Interview Event hosted by Grace’s Center for Career Connections on March 31. Dozens of employers from Kosciusko County and beyond met with students to help them hone their interview skills and give them constructive feedback.
“Having participated for many years, mock interviews prove to be a very beneficial way for Grace students to polish their interview skills,” said Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer. “But it does far more! This event showcases the quality of Grace College graduates to our community that emboldens a pipeline of talented young people that choose to seek career opportunities right here in our community!”
Grace College alumnus Matt Starrett, who serves as director of live production planning and metrics at Maple Leaf Farms, also saw the event as an encouraging glance at the pipeline of graduates to come.
“Having worked in the ag industry over the last 20 years, I’m encouraged to see Grace focusing on developing students in this field of study,” said Starrett. “I can see the value that an event like this could provide in terms of preparing the students for the decisions they will face in seeking a career and entering the workforce.”
Abby Gonzalez, a senior studying criminal justice and Spanish at Grace affirms this.
“I truly loved the mock interview event and enjoyed every single one of the interviews and the feedback that I received,” said Gonzalez. “It was one of the best experiences I’ve had at Grace. I do not regret attending for one second.”
Gonzalez expressed that one of the most beneficial aspects was building her professional network and connecting with community members such as Dominic Palmitessa, office manager at Northwest Bank.
“I could feel that Mr. Palmitessa wanted to help me improve because he asked me questions that challenged me to deeply analyze my answers,” said Gonzalez. “He was honest and direct, and yet he was so kind and positive in his feedback.”
According to Denise Terry, director of the Center for Career Connections at Grace, Thallemer, Starrett and Gonzalez are just a few of many participants who had rave reviews of the event.
“This event continues to be a big hit for students, alumni and community members alike,” said Terry. “We plan on continuing to make pathways for these vital connections to happen for many years to come.”
To learn more about the Center of Career Connections at Grace, visit www.grace.edu/academics/
Photo attached: Accounting student Jarah Byler practices interviewing with Karen Erba from the Bowen Center at the Grace College Mock Interview event.
