Middle school students have a unique opportunity to get a jump start on life after high school thanks to Future Ready, a college and career readiness program at J. Elliot McMullan Public Library.
Hannah Berryhill, system director for the library, who is leading the program, said Future Ready will introduce local students to some of the lesser known skills that they might not pick up in regular classes.
She said courses will cover things like leadership, interviewing and how to apply for a job.
“We’ll also be going over how to make a resume and prepare for an interview,” she said.
Future Ready is a 15-week program, Berryhill explained during an introductory session Thursday. Each month will have a different theme.
In August, students will be introduced to the course, perform a small activity and get to know each other. September courses will focus on life lessons, October’s theme will be college life and November will be about working life.
Also, in October and November, Berryhill said, courses will feature guest speakers.
“October through November we’ll be having local business people, as well as artists and other professionals, local professionals at what they do coming in and talking about what they do,” she said.
Finally, Berryhill said, Future Ready will wrap up in December with a job expo, which will give students a chance to meet one-one-one with local professionals and business owners.
“All of the speakers from the previous sessions will come in and set up booths,” she said.
“You’ll have the opportunity to talk with them one-on-one and ask whatever you want.”
Although Thursday’s introduction session didn’t draw a huge crowd, Berryhill said more people would hopefully attend once word spread.
Future Ready, she said, is a great way for students to get ahead of the curve.
All middle school students are invited to attend the free classes, which are held 5-6 p.m. every Thursday at J. Elliot McMullan Public Library, 300 W. Church St.
For more information about Future Ready, contact Hannah Berryhill at 601-683-3367.
