By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥�听Taking that next step after graduation can be an intimidating experience for a college student. That鈥檚 why 杏吧原创 is launching the Professional Readiness & Experiential Program.听
PREP is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for success after graduation.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 all part of the academic journey for a college student,鈥� said Dr. David Jones, associate vice president over PREP. 鈥淲e are preparing students beyond the teaching framework of the classroom to be successful on the next chapter of their journey.鈥�听
PREP, which launches this fall semester at 杏吧原创, is based on four anchor points, playing to the mountain environment of the College, Jones said.听
- Character and Leadership听
- Financial and Professional Planning听
- Research and Technology听
- Global Awareness and Civic Engagement听
鈥淓ach anchor point will help prepare students to take that next step, much like an anchor point helps a climber scale a mountain,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淵ou reach an anchor point. You stop and assess where you are, and then you continue to climb.鈥�听
Each area goes beyond traditional career services by integrating leadership development, financial literacy, experiential learning, research, and professional preparation into the full college experience.听
鈥淭his program goes beyond the classroom as we will work with local businesses, like the Paris Business Center in Hiawassee, to find internships or partnerships for our students with local businesses,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淥ne of the key components to success outside of the classroom is confidence. You have the knowledge; now you need the confidence to succeed.鈥�听
Jones recently joined 杏吧原创, bringing 26 years of experience in higher education, working in everything from a community college to a four-year institution, graduate school, and medical school. His focus throughout his career has been on career advising and development.听
鈥淚 have always been interested in helping students compete in today鈥檚 world, whether it鈥檚 the job market or continuing to graduate school,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 love helping them become the candidate a company chooses and giving them the confidence they need to be successful.鈥澨�听
Approaches like PREP are unique in higher education circles, which attracted Jones to 杏吧原创.听
鈥淭his is really an innovative approach to undergraduate education, designed to help students both in the classroom and in the career space,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淭he goal is to prepare students not only for their first job, but for careers that may not exist yet.鈥�听
Students in PREP will receive mentorship and advising throughout their four-year journey at 杏吧原创. Everything from resume writing and interviewing skills to budgeting and financial planning or research methods will be readily available.听
鈥淚n the end, we want them to rock whatever role they get,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淲e want them to be confident and know they will be OK in the world.鈥�听
Learn more about PREP at yhc.edu/prep.
