Today was a big day at Springdale Job Corps Center. Not only was it the annual open house for the admissions counselors and career transition specialists, but today was also the annual Employability Fashion Show and Mock Interview Competition.

The fashion show gives students an opportunity to see what professional clothing looks like, with many pieces coming from the student clothing boutique located on-center. Business & Community Liaison Anna Snyder oversees the boutique and helped students put together their outfits. “We wanted to show off what a little time and creativity can do when it comes to finding professional outfits,” she said. “Each student is wearing at least one outfit from the boutique, while some of them found all the clothes they’re modeling there.”

In addition to students modeling what to wear, staff will be modeling what NOT to wear. In year’s past that’s included the center director dressed in the best Goth, while the safety and security manager showed off the latest in fake piercings and basketball jerseys. “The students always get a huge kick out seeing the staff ‘dressed down,’ ” said Anna.

For the first time the fashion show will also include a Mock Interview Competition with three judges determining how well students did in categories like Introduction, Appearance, Poise and Preparation. Student participants will be dressed in interview-appropriate clothes and be asked a group of general interview questions. Judges will give a numerical score to each contestant. There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

“Through fun activities like the fashion show and mock interview competition, we can continue to teach students the things they came to Job Corps to learn,” added the career services director, Ivan Rosemblatt. “We have a mission to teach students skills they can use to start their careers. Of course that includes what to wear on an interview and on the job and how to behave in an interview.”