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Portfolio day has arrived! On Friday, March 16, Regional Occupational Program (ROP) students were dressed in business attire for their mock interviews in the library from 9 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. In this interview, students practiced their interview skills in order to gain valuable feedback for future job interviews.

This year, there were approximately 140 ROP students. These participating students are in the following classes:

• Business Administrative Services – S. Austin
• Career Planning – S. Austin
• Foundations in Education – L. Head
• Introduction to Health – M. Soriano
• Marketing foundations – S. Austin
• Medical Occupations – M. Soriano

Students created a portfolio highlighting their talents and experiences. Their portfolio included: table of contents, cover letter, resume, job application, letter of recommendation, work sample, career ready self-assessment, career action plan, and additional pieces. These additional pieces included more letters of recommendation, community service hours, and certificates. The students used their portfolio during their interview and they may keep their portfolio for future job interviews.

Business leaders volunteered to help conduct these interviews. They helped students focus on their strengths and weaknesses and how students can improve on future job interviews.  If a student is in more than one ROP class, they chose for which class their interview goes for.

The facilitator for this event was Mrs. Arrieta. She scheduled the time each student interviewed and who they get interviewed with.  She had to pair up 140 students with 13 judges and space it out for five and a half hours. ROP teachers can request Mrs. Arrieta to visit their classrooms so she can discuss with the students what to expect on portfolio day, how to dress, and any further questions anyone may need.

These students practiced interview skills either by interview videos, interviewing each other with a worksheet their teacher has provided, practicing at home, or asking their teaches/staff to interview them.  “ I’m as ready as I’ll ever be” says Senior Saul Madriz.

The following business leaders have volunteered  to interview students:

• Kathy Garibay – Founder of Portfolio Day
• Meringue Neu – Account Technician
• Juna Sousa – Assistant City Clerk
• Sonya Williams – Finance Director
• Helene Mitchell – Family Service Supervisor
• Ray Reyna – Los Banos Police Department, Commander
• Robert Strauch – Assistant Fire Chief
• Mayra Clement – Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Mary Koch – Los Banos Nursing and Rehab/ Director of Staff Development
• Denese Torongo – Office Manager
• Dana Laguna – Office Manager, Bookkeeper
• Marie Guintini – Retired ROP Medical Occupation Teacher