Length of time commitment:

Business representatives can spend up to one class period, 40 minutes or longer if needed.

Students are able to learn first-hand about local industries, employers, and career paths through direct contact with area

employers. Business representatives visit the classroom or school and participate in activities such as career days or classroom

presentations and demonstrations.

Types of Presentations/Assistance

Present career information and opportunities

• Explain/demonstrate employability skills

• Collaborate with teachers/students on projects

• Demonstrate business applications and technology

• Serve as a technical advisor to students or teachers

• Critique student work/projects

• Participate in recruiting activities for industry-specific careers

Objectives

• To improve academic skills

• To promote greater awareness of career and world of work information

• To provide students and educators with new material and information

Benefits to the Business

• Provides educators and students with information about an industry or business

• Helps build community relations with schools and students

• Enables businesses to meet qualified students as potential employees

Expectations

The outcome of utilizing a classroom speaker is to increase the student’s and educator’s knowledge about

a business or industry in an interesting and informative way.

Tips

• Work with the educator to define what the presentation or activity will accomplish

• When possible, plan and coordinate the presentation with recent classroom lessons to reinforce the

message and its relevance to the curriculum

• Early in the process, inform the educator of any audio-visual equipment or other aids needed so

those arrangements can be made

• Understand that the range of student abilities, levels of maturity, and interest areas can vary widely

• Maintain eye contact and a friendly, approachable demeanor

• Allow time for questions and answers