BROWNSVILLE (51) – 51 students thinking about future job opportunities took advantage of a unique chance to polish their interview skills at TSC’s Interview Practicum held at Jacob Brown Auditorium.
The students took part in mock job interviews with representatives from local businesses.
“Some financial institutions here, locally, you have TVC, the Texas Veterans Commission, UTRGV, the City of Brownsville and Cameron County as well, along with the Workforce Solutions Cameron too,” said Josue Silguero, TSC’s Director of Career and Employment services, which organized the event.
TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela Garza took part in the event as an interviewer. As a business owner, she took joy in offering advice to a student who is seeking a business degree.
“I told him when you work for Corporate America, it’s a different set of rules than when you establish your own business,” Garza said. “In every job you have, youhave totake your heart with you, your compassion, and your professionalism. And that follows you forever.”
Jennifer Sanchez, a first-year student in TSC’s Child Development Early Childhood (CDEC)programwas grateful for the advice she received.
“I thought it was really interesting,” Sanchez said.“It wasreally good. It did help me for what potential employers would say in an interview.”
Sanchez was interviewed by RustyBrechot, Cameron County Market President for Lone Star National Bank.
“Something he did say was that my greatest strength is me, how I am, how I present myself, and how I stay honesttomyself,” Sanchez added.
“Everyone is a little bit nervous when they do something like this,Brechotsaid. “If you can break that in the beginning,you’llend up with a wonderful interview andyou’llget to know the truth. I think a lot of what we talked about as well is being honest and having confidence. You know, all these different things, as well as what is on paper.”
Nadia Sanchez, who is also in the CDEC program, hopes to one day be a director for an early childhood center. She says the event also helped her learn more about how she can improve for real-world interviews.
“I was trying to calm down, but still, I was nervous,” Sanchez said. “Trying to work on my body movements and they said my voice was a little lower. So, try to raise my voice.”
The event offered former TSC students a chance to give back to the institution that helped set their educational foundation. Rafael Vela and MariaRoussett, who work for Workforce Solutions Cameron, took part in the event as interviewers. Vela andRoussettearned credits at TSC before embarking on their careers.
“I was happy to do it,” said Vela, who is Workforce Solutions Cameron’s Chief Executive Officer. “The experience was gratifying and it keeps you grounded. Because if you’re in the workforce, you know, I rep the workforce and our team, sometimes we get caught up with the day-to-day. This reconnected me with the whole reason we do the work in the first place.”
Roussett, a StudentHireAbilityNavigator for Workforce Solutions Cameron, has worked with TSC students in various programs in the past.
“I love this institution,” saidRoussett. “When I first graduated from high school, I came here and it gave me my basic training that I needed to start my career.”
Roussett, who graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in social work, was impressed by the preparation methods of the students she interviewed.
“If something is not clear, the students were letting me know that they do research and study policies, study data, study how things have been done before,”Roussettadded.
In addition tomockjob interviews, participants were also given an opportunity to take professional headshots. They also enjoyed sweet bread, coffer and water provided by the Brownsville Community ImprovementCorproation(BCIC).
Students can click below to learn more about TSC’s Career and Employment Services.
