The Staten Island Career Coaches (SICC) have returned to McKee High School for a fourth consecutive year, to help students prepare a successful resume and ace a job interview.
The SICC is comprised of successful local business owners and professionals who volunteer to work with McKee upperclassmen on resume writing and developing job interview skills. During the three-week program, coaches mentor juniors and seniors; they identify their skills and strengths and develop strategies to market themselves to potential employers.
A total of 47 juniors and seniors are signed up for the program, which got off to a late start due to Hurricane Sandy.
With the national unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds at more than 23 percent, and teen unemployment in New York City a stunning 35.5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. McKee students agree the mentoring program helps give them a competitive edge in the job market.
Junior Steven Lee said the program helped him focus on his accomplishments
Alkaya Massaly, a senior, said he found the mock interview sessions to be the most helpful. As part of the program, the volunteer mentors, who often do the hiring for their businesses, sit down with each student in a one-on-one mock interview session. They critique each student's presentation from an employer's point of view.
Students shared the job tips they learned with family members looking for employment.