WSCC Future Business Leaders host at conference.

From left: Norma Gonzalez, Katelyn Pruyne, Mikey Perez, Tyler Lucas, Jarret Diesch, Rene Figueroa, Brianna Walter, Edgar Arambula, and advisor Amy Wojciechowski.

GRAND RAPIDS — A group of students from West Shore Community College were given the opportunity to participate as hosts for the 2016 CTE (Career and Technical Education) Michigan Career Education Conference held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids.

The students are active members of the college’s Future Business Leaders (FBL) club, an active registered student organization currently consisting of nine students and advised by Dr. Amy Wojciechowski, WSCC Business Division chair.

The students who attended consisted of Jarret Deisch, Brianna Walter, Tyler Lucas, Norma Gonzalez, Edgar Arambula, Katelyn Pruyne, Mikey Perez, and former student Rene Figueroa. Serena Kuhn was unable to attend.

The annual conference provides exposure to successful career and technical education (CTE) programs in terms of career skills, technology, and collaboration with business, education, and other growing industries. Secondary educators also work together to share knowledge with the purpose of improving strategic methods to prepare students for both career and college worlds.

During the conference, the students worked closely with Ferris State University’s Conference and Professional Services staff as they hosted the conference’s various presenters. This primarily included establishing a connection with each presenter, giving each presenter an introduction if requested, greeting attendees for each presentation, keeping count of attendees, distributing and collecting surveys, and marking each attendee’s application form at the end of the presentation for credit.

The students also attended to additional tasks as needed such as setting up and hosting for the Mardi Gras party prior to the beginning of the conference.  Students also assisted with drawings and raffles.

The hands-on experience provided them with the required skills found in the college and career worlds, such as effective communication, people skills, networking, leadership, and collaboration, according to Katelyn Pruyne, a WSCC student and member of the FBL club.

“It opened my eyes to the possibilities and gave me confidence that I can achieve not only as a student but in whatever career I choose,” Pruyne said.