By Meagan Ginnaty-Moore, staff write
r
With the school year coming to a close, seniors at Indian Trail High School & Academy are preparing for life after high school.
The Communication Academy seniors prepare by presenting their work made throughout their high school career to career professionals. These seniors have learned how to network, present themselves, and make connections with people in career fields they have interest in.
Sandra Bleser, a Communications art teacher, organizes the event and has been doing so for five years. Bleser said she got the idea for the senior showcase after realizing graduation seniors have
few chances to learn to network and present themselves to industry professionals.
“It’s for them to have the opportunity to apply the skills that they’ve learned and apply them to the career they hope to enter after graduation, [while industry professionals give them feedback],” said Bleser.
Beatrice Muresanu and Erik Aguilar, both Communications seniors, shared their thoughts on the show and what their plans after high school are.
“I think the show is a really good opportunity to make us be able to present our work,” said
Muresanu. “It gives us a lot of opportunities to talk to people, which is really important as an artist.”
Muresanu plans on pursuing public relations, advertising, and psychology, while Aguilar plans on pursuing marketing and accounting. He explained what the showcase has done for him.
“I think it’s helping me by people telling me what to expect in the fields of marketing and accounting,” said Aguilar. “[It also helps] to hear how my work is, is it good or bad.”
Bleser said that the evening went very well and the 31 students participating were getting positive feedback from 34 different professionals.
“[The professionals] are impressed how articulate our seniors are, they’re really driven, they know what they want, they’re goal-oriented,” said Bleser. “They’re just really impressed.”
The professionals worked in fields ranging from graphic designers to police officers. Dan Getzen, a business analyst, and Dan Ruth, a sergeant at the Kenosha County Sheriff’s office, gave their impressions of the seniors.
“[The night] has been kind of interesting,” said Getzen.
Getzen explained that he studied marketing in college and that he has been focussing more on the students interested in marketing.
“I’ve been trying to give them an understanding that it’s not all about graphic arts,” said Getzen. “… there’s a business side also.”
Ruth feels that the night went really well.
“I think this is a good confidence builder for students,” said Ruth. “It’s a good way for them to get out and learn to talk to people.”
Both men gave advice to the graduating seniors. Ruth recommended they get a post high school degree. Getzen encouraged students to keep an open mind and to gain world experience.