"Entree to Employment" Bridges the Gap Between Classroom & Career
The Porterville College Transfer Center, in partnership with the Office of Instruction and the Career Education Department, recently hosted a groundbreaking event designed to redefine how students and local industries connect. Moving away from the traditional, often impersonal job fair model, the "Entree to Employment" dinner provided a high-contact, low-stress environment where students and business partners could engage in authentic dialogue over a world-class meal.
Moving Beyond the Job Fair
The inspiration for the evening came from a desire to address a recurring theme from business partners who were tired of traditional job fairs where students were not truly interested in the industry. Industry leaders expressed a strong desire to sit down and talk to students who have a genuine interest in what they do. Vice President of Instruction Dr. Thad Russell noted that this format was based on a successful model used in K-12 education. By replacing booths with dinner tables, the event aimed to maximize the amount of time students spent asking questions of people doing work and hiring in the real world.
An Intentional Connection
The evening was meticulously planned to ensure every interaction was meaningful. Students and business partners were specifically matched and paired at tables based on a shared interest in each other's fields. To ensure the atmosphere was professional yet welcoming, the college provided full dining service and a meal prepared by Chef Joe Amaya. While students were coached in advance on networking techniques, industry partners were also provided with conversation guides to help navigate the discussions and share their professional journeys. The organizers emphasized that this was not a job fair and no resumes were expected; instead, the focus was on enjoying each other's company and practicing the art of networking.
An Evening of Networking and Growth
As the evening progressed, Career Transfer and Internship Coordinator Alejandro Bermudez encouraged participants to eventually move between tables to talk to different partners and peers. The primary goal was for students to gain knowledge from the journeys professionals took during their education and early careers to reach their current positions. This high-contact environment allowed for a deeper level of engagement than a standard event, as students and partners alike had a wonderful time connecting and learning about one another.
A Community Effort
The success of Porterville College's first "Entree to Employment" was made possible by the collaborative efforts of several key individuals. Alejandro Bermudez graciously organized the event with significant help from Frida Mendez, Nicholas Brit, and Nick Griffith. Many people were integral to bringing the vision to life and ensuring the meal and the program ran smoothly. This event marks a significant step forward in how Porterville College prepares students for their future careers, ensuring they leave the table with more than just a great meal—they leave with a network.
