EXP Insider Newsletter - April 2019
Mock Interview Day
11th grade high school students practiced their job interview skills with professionals from a cross-section of the Los Angeles business community.
On Tuesday, April 16th, The Carson Center ballroom in Carson, CA was at maximum capacity with more 80 business professionals who volunteered their time to help more than 135 high school students prepare for their first job interviews. It was all part of EXP’s Mock Interview Day, which is a part of the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis.
Participating students came from seven EXP partner high schools, including Carson, Gardena, Intellectual Virtues Academy, Narbonne, Phineas Banning, Rancho Dominguez Preparatory, and San Pedro. Managers and executives who conducted the mock interviews came from a wide range of industries, including logistics, healthcare, banking, marketing and entertainment.
Mock Interview Day offers students opportunities to sharpen up their interview skills, gain confidence and receive immediate feedback from a variety of employers. The experience can have a profound effect on their abilities to make a positive first impression and land their first job.
You could see the difference in Toni B., a Carson High School ESET student. Before going into the room for her first mock interview, Toni shyly declined to speak to the EXP news team. But by the time she completed her second round, she was more than happy to share her experience… on camera, no less!
“I learned that you gain more confidence the more you practice,” said Toni. “[At first] I was nervous to make eye contact with my interviewers, but I found out that it was really not that scary.”
For the industry volunteers who interviewed the students, the event offered a unique preview of the workforce of tomorrow.
“I left the mock interviews today so amazingly impressed with all the students participating,” said Vanessa Rodriquez, senior staffing manager, Robert Half - OfficeTeam. “Many, if not all, of the students were so professional, polished and could articulate their experience so well.
“You guys are doing a phenomenal job! I can’t wait for them to become available for us to work with. This future generation is going to be amazing! I only hope that ALL high schools begin doing similar things with all students.”
“The students were incredible, well prepared, and they asked a lot of good questions,” commented Sandy Diaz, vice president, property management, Prologis. “These kids just had really solid skills at such a young age.”
The EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis is offered in partnership with Prologis, John Gogian Family Foundation and The Port of Los Angeles. In addition to the Mock Interview event, the program includes opportunities for companies to hire or sponsor an EXP intern.
Nearly 40 companies have already committed to hosting EXP interns this summer, and we are looking for more! Please contact EXP’s Program Manager, Internship & Outreach, Megan Mendoza, to request an intern or learn more today!
Thanks to our lead sponsors of the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis
EXP NEWS
Gearing Up for Women in STEM Career Day
We have an exciting educational program lined up for 200 female students from six EXP partner high schools on May 1st at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). The STEM studies and career exploration day will include a Keynote by Dajae Williams from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, tours of CSULB marine labs and hands-on demonstrations from Not Impossible Labs and California Resource Corporation. EXP thanks sponsors The Boeing Company and Marathon Petroleum Corporation – Los Angeles Refinery for making this event possible!
Barstow High School MXP Job Fair Attracts 1,300 Students
On March 26th, EXP partner Barstow High School hosted a Mojave Express Logistics Academy (MXP) Job Fair. More than 30 companies and 1,300 students participated. Barstow Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Malan, Assistant Superintendent Scott Godfrey and BHS Principal Vince Williams joined industry partners to conduct mock interviews with the students.
Congratulations, EXP World Trade Week Scholars!
World Trade Week Los Angeles offers scholarships to aspiring students in international trade fields to foster education and business development. Out of the 17 scholarship recipients this year, seven are students from EXP-partner schools: Carson Senior High School, Narbonne High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, and Phineas Banning High School. If you haven't already done so, there's still time to register for the 93rd Annual World Trade Week Kickoff Breakfast to show your support for our EXP scholarship recipients.
What’s New?
Explore EXP's All New YouTube Channel
We’ve recently launched our new YouTube channel. Subscribe today and never miss out on our newest videos! Learn more»
New EXP Alumni Facebook Group
Network with other EXP alumni and get scholarship alert, job listings and career advice on Facebook in our new group! Join today. Learn more»
Happy National Volunteer Month!
The month of April is National Volunteer Month! At EXP, we salute and thank our more than 400 industry and community volunteers who contribute their time and talent throughout the year to coach and mentor tomorrow’s workforce. All of you are making a life-changing difference for young people, and all of us at EXP are so grateful for your generosity.