The Student Career Preparedness Leadership Project at the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus is aimed at helping student participants expand their knowledge, job outlook, skills, and career development opportunities.

The SPC Foundation awarded the campus the $3,500 Innovation Grant, made possible by the generosity of donors to help advance the mission and goals of the college.

Tarpon Springs career staff Steve Ford and Bethany Greenley have coordinated and executed SCPLP activities that have helped current students achieve hands-on employer visits and enhance their employability skills.

A group of 15 dedicated students from a variety of SPC programs were chosen to have the opportunity to visit five local employers in the area. These employers were strategically chosen to highlight different career pathways programs, internship opportunities, and student interest to show how they are all connected to our community. Students are attending these events ready to discuss employment – all received SPC shirts, portfolios, and business cards to help them network with employers.

In the past month, three visits have been completed so far. The first visit was to the City of Tarpon Springs to see the Reverse Osmosis Plant to learn about local water processes and how/who they employ.  The second visit to Cops ‘n Kids, a local non-profit organization that offers afterschool care and career exploration for children ages 7 to 17.  The third visit was to Vology, a local technology company, where students learned about the wide variety of careers and their progressive workspace.

The next visits will be to a law firm, Florin and Roebig, and to Nielsen Media Research.  A final activity will be a closing ceremony in conjunction with an etiquette lunch.  The employers we visited be also be invited to attend and will sit with the students so they understand proper etiquette under a business social setting.