Mentoring program launched at Manatee Technical College | From the Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast and Manatee Technical College recently launched its Beyond School Walls program, a unique workplace mentoring program in partnership with Southeast High School.
The program will help students gain a special learning experience outside the classroom. The workplace mentoring program, called Beyond School Walls, allows high school students to interact with mentors in a business setting.
Students experience what it means to work for a corporation, learn business etiquette and identify educational requirements for professional success.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has matched students from Southeast High School with Manatee Technical College senior staff members. Students work with their mentor to craft a plan for how to meet their career goals.
Marianne Weiss, vice president of Programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters welcomed everyone and introduced the guest speakers.
On hand to address the students and staff were Dr. Valerie Viands, Manatee Technical College director; Joy Mahler, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast president/CEO; Cynthia Saunders, School District of Manatee County deputy superintendent of instructional services; and Rosa Faison, Southeast High School principal.
“Manatee Technical College is a great place for young people to learn about career opportunities. I am proud of the number of faculty and staff who volunteered to be mentors. MTC is excited to be a partner in the Beyond School Walls program,” Viands said.
Mahler added, “Through a collaborative partnership, we have extended the education of our youth beyond their school, to a local educational institution.”
— Submitted by Gina Taylor
