L’view students get interview experience

VW independent/submitted information

On Thursday, Lincolnview FFA Ag Business students took advantage of Van Wert County Economic Development initiative Rural by Choice. Last month, the RBC team visited Lincolnview and Crestview junior high/middle school students to introduce the question of “why not here?”

The Rural By Choice team set out to engage local students with concepts of staying in Van Wert after high school or returning to Van Wert County after college. The team also broached the idea of resume building, interviewing, and other ways the local community could get involved in the discussion with county young people about making Van Wert a competitive consideration in their future plans.

Krista Seibert, agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor at Lincolnview High School, contacted County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith, as she had a plan to rotate her 11 FFA/ag business students through mock interviews after their completion of a three-week educational block on the interviewing process and executing sound interviews. Seibert explained that she wanted to give the kids a more realistic experience from someone they weren’t familiar with and someone who had experience with the process and in the field.

Rural by Choice team members CW Harting III (Harting Farms in Convoy) and Gary Moser (Roanna Farms in Convoy) were both called in for the cause and the Lincolnview students rose to the occasion.

Smith also had economic development consultant and author Mark Lautman in town from Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 2015 County ED Kickoff later that afternoon and they had a chance to stop in at the school and see the process.

“He had the poise of a college kid,” Lautman commented on one of the Lincolnview juniors on his completion of the process, “I am really impressed with the Van Wert youth.”

Harting and Moser both echoed Lautman’s observation and it sends a positive message to local employers that the workforce is coming.

“Seeing kids excited about the process, having local business owners involved in their development and having educators like Seibert (all) show that Van Wert County is making moves in the right direction to connect the necessary players to give our county a competitive edge toward growth,” added Smith.

Those interested in participating in Rural by Choice, have ideas for the program, or would like the RBC team to present can contact the Van Wert County Economic Development Office at 419.238.6159.