Presentation Topics

Classroom workshops are hands-on and interactive presentations that incorporate audiovisual components and handouts/exercises to engage various learning styles. Presentations are specifically designed for high school students, and cover topics that are relevant to current issues students need to address in order to successfully transition into the workplace or a higher education environment. Presentations are approximately 40 minutes.

All workshops are offered at no charge. Contact us any time to determine if we're available to cover your classes should you become ill, are attending a professional development activity, or have an unexpected situation occur, etc.

Scholarship Search & Application Process

By the end of this workshop, students will have gained step-by-step instructions on how to efficiently target/qualify and apply for a multitude of scholarships, thereby increasing the likelihood of success. Handouts include 3 worksheets: 1) tracking, 2) compilation of personal history, and 3) family background.

• What background/documents and information to put together for scholarship applications
• Researching scholarships to identify "best fit"
• Tracking the application process

Cyber Communities - Online Social Networks

With the proliferation of social online network groups such as MySpace, Facebook, and Xanga, students are in more danger than ever of exposing themselves to risks such as cyberstalking and identity theft. All students will receive a Cyber Communities brochure which summarizes what they'll learn in the workshop:

• How colleges are utilizing these communities for admissions, scholarships, and other purposes
• Pros and cons of various networks
• Smart posting
• Using security measures
• Who else is looking at your profile and how this information might be used for/against you

Personality Styles and its Influence on Communication

Students complete a brief personality assessment that matches their style to jazz instruments. Students then learn to "tune in" to their tempo (common characteristics, desires), understand various arrangements (how to work with different personality styles), and understanding dissonance (how we react when under stress).

This is a fun way to learn how our personality affects the way we react or interact with others and our environment. In an unobtrusive way, this workshop points out the importance of understanding others first before determining how best to communicate.

Résumé Development (full workshop version is also available and is 90 minutes)

By the end of this session, students will:

• Have gained an understanding of the importance of a well written résumé and its uses
• Know what should be included on the résumé
• Draft an outline of their résumé

Students will receive:

• A list of action verbs to use as a reference
• Résumé outline to facilitate completion of résumé

Murder Mystery and Communication/Inclusion

Students are broken up into groups of at least 5 people and become part of a specially appointed Police Task Force that is under political pressure to solve a gangsta murder. Every group will handle the situation differently! This role play simulation demonstrates the following communication pitfalls:

• Operating under pressure
• Incomplete information
• Ignoring or discounting information from members of the group
• Failure to organize information
• Lack of leadership
• Making assumptions

Special Topics

We are available to develop presentations in other areas that might be of interest to you. If you would like to discuss the creation of a workshop specifically designed for your students, please contact me.

Faculty Presentations

Our faculty are also available to present on their areas of expertise. If you are interested in having a faculty present to your students, contact us and we will put you in touch with the appropriate Division Chair.

• Arts & Sciences (Business, Education Elementary/Early Childhood, Education Secondary, College Readiness)
• Automotive Technologies (Collision, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Toyota T-TEN, ProTech)
• Construction Technologies (Air Conditioning/Refrigeration, Construction Management, Electrical, High Voltage, Plumbing)
• Culinary Arts
• Engineering Technologies (Instrumentation, Graphics & Design/Drafting, Manufacturing, Nanoscientific Instrumentation, Power Plant, Civil Engineering)
• Health & Environmental Technologies (Orthotics & Prosthetics)
• Heavy Equipment Vehicle Institute (Aggreko, CAT, Gas, Komatsu, Manitowoc, Southwestern Association, Precision Ag)
• Information Technologies (Information Technologies, Information Assurance & Forensics)
• Nursing and Allied Health Professions
• Visual Communications Technologies (Graphic Design, Multimedia, Photography)
• Watchmaking Technologies