PIVOT Employment Specialist Jessica Corpuel is focused on making sure students are as prepared as they possibly can be for the job market. Between matching them to work-based learning internships that frequently lead to job placements, working with them on their interviewing skills, and having them do informational interviews with people working in careers they’d be interested in, Jessica is working hard to give students the best chance possible to succeed.

Part of her ongoing work includes bringing in partner organizations to work with students on mock interviews and soft skills like how to present yourself to a potential employer. Called a Live Resume Event, students were able to network with a variety of companies hiring people with the skills PIVOT students are training in. “The event is set up like a job fair with employers represented at each booth,” explains Jessica. “But prior to students heading out and talking to the employers, they each were asked to give an elevator speech in front of the whole group.” For PIVOT students, this was the topper on a series of elevator speech workshops and a public speaking class taught by a PIVOT instructor with a background in theater. “We want them to understand that what they’re experiencing with nerves and not feeling confident is normal, and that best way to get through it is to practice.”

The event was focused on the medical field and was hosted by Moda Health, who contacted other medical care providers and lunch! Innovative events like this have helped PIVOT increase its placement from 73% to 86.6% over the last year.