Young Professionals of Odessa is having a Business Life Skills Class for middle and high school students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at Hope Alive Church, 305 E. 19th St., Odessa.
Yanni Jones, board liaison for service with YPO, said they would like to host one of these events every quarter. Her job is to find different ways for YPO to get involved in the community.
As part of the event, Jones is requesting neckties.
“The goal is to provide a necktie each time and show them how to tie it and send them home with one. That way when they have the job interview, they already have the tie there,” Jones said.
The idea is to teach middle and high school students what their resume should look like, the importance of having an appropriate email, making sure that their voicemail is set up, what to say during a job interview, how to fill out a simple job application, resume preparation and self-confidence, among other items.
“If no one’s taken the time to teach these teenagers that are coming up, how are they going to know?” Jones said.
Initially, she tried to find ways that Young Professionals of Odessa could get involved with Teen Court and it just grew from there. Jones said she expects about 50 kids.
According to the City of Odessa website, Teen Court is a form of deferred disposition where minors attend a court session where they are sentenced by their peers. Allowing participation is completely at the judges’ discretion. If the program is successfully completed within 90 days, the charge is completely dismissed. Court costs and fees apply. To be eligible, the minor must be less than 18 years of age or enrolled in high school, and must not have attended Teen Court within one year preceding the offense.
Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett is going to teach the kids how to tie a tie and Gilbert Vasquez, retired from Ector County ISD and now a city councilmember, will cover the what to do and not do once they get a job. Jones said he is not representing the city council at this event.
“I’m excited about it. I think it’s going to really help the next generation get a step ahead, just to know the simple things that will make a difference in the long run,” Jones said.
She added that participants will leave the event with resource sheets and if they by chance have an interview afterward and need a dress shirt with their tie, their goal is to set them up so they know where to go. Jones said she would also help them out if needed.
“If we as a community can come together and just help teach the next generation, I think it will make everyone’s load a little lighter,” Jones said.
Students are also invited to volunteer alongside YPO members for events such as Adopt-a-Spot, Mudbug and Shrimpfest.
