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Summit's goal: Keep graduates here
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Published: October 16, 2009
Keeping students in the Mooresville area as they move into the workforce and prosper will be the goal of an "economic summit" sponsored by the Mooresville Graded School District.
On Nov. 3 at 6 p.m., the MGSD – specifically the Career Bridge Advisory Council and N.F. Woods Advanced Technology and Arts Center – will host an Economic Summit for students and parents throughout the district and the surrounding area.
At the Charles Mack Citizen center, the event will feature area businesses and industries as well as colleges and universities and allow students to learn more about what opportunities exist in this region following high school and secondary education.
"It's a way for the community to see what kind of kids we have, what kind of programs are available in the schools," said MGSD spokesperson Dreisa Sherrill.
"So as we graduate Mooresville High students, they'll be ready to take the jobs here in Mooresville," she added. "It's a way to keep them here in the Mooresville area and have them hired by our own Mooresville folks."
Julie Blocker, Career Technical Education Director and Career Development Coordinator, agreed.
"A lot of the time, kids think they have to go away to college and get what they need and then they stay where they went to college," she said, noting that this type of event will provide students with information about the opportunities that exist in their own backyard.
From 6 to 7 p.m., the Economic Summit will feature two 30-minute panel discussions for those in attendance.
One will be college-based – conducted by representatives of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Mitchell Community College and UNC-Charlotte – and will cover collegiate information, such as the differences between a two-year and four-year education.
The other will be led by local business representatives from Lowe's, Ameritech Die & Mold and Lake Norman Regional Medical Center. They will discuss a variety of questions provided by students in advance as well as provide advice about diving into the workforce following high school.
At 6:45 p.m., the doors will open to a career/college fair. At least 30 businesses, companies, college and universities are scheduled to attend. Each will host its own booth with information and representatives will be available for one-on-one discussions about available or potential opportunities.
Representatives from the branches of the military will also be on hand.
Blocker said she believes the event will "open a lot of doors" that students are otherwise missing. However, the Economic Summit is encouraged for both students and their parents, she noted.
"A lot of times parents don't realize what we have available right here in our community, or what the benefits are of going to a two-year college and then a four-year university," she said, noting that parents should attend with their children.
Retaining Mooresville graduates in this region, said both Blocker and Sherrill, remains a primary goal of the Economic Summit.
"We're graduating outstanding students here. So many leave the area and they take those skills with them," said Sherrill.
"We feel like we're producing outstanding workers and students and we would like to have them stay here and take over the work force that's in our own community."
For more information on the Economic Summit, visit www.mgsd.k12.nc.us or contact Bill Parker, Executive Director of Secondary and Career Technical Education for the MGSD, at 704-658-2530.
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