Envision Your Future program concludes inaugural year
Orrville Area Young Professionals shared their career paths and pieces of advice with students from Orrville Area Chamber’s Envision Your Future program.
Envision Your Future, an initiative orchestrated by the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce with collaboration from the Tri-County Educational Service Center Career Connections program, concluded March 12 with a panel of Orrville Area Young Professionals helping with the development of the educational and career paths for participating students.
Among the panelists were Taylor Abel of Make the Impact, Mike Sollenberger representing Mirabel Promotions, Kelsie Mannasmith from the Ohio State University and Mic Merriman of Moog. Each took distinct educational routes to reach their current careers and shared advice and experiences with students from Orrville High School and Kingsway Christian.
Sollenberger, an Orrville native, shared anecdotes of his internships during college, explaining how these experiences sculpted his career trajectory. “My experiences opened many doors before I realized what I enjoyed and wanted as a career,” Sollenberger said.
When asked about what to look for in an employer, Merriman emphasized the importance of company culture. That sentiment was echoed by Abel, who said culture, environment, team and company values are important.
The panelists didn’t just give advice; they planted seeds of inspiration among the students, who are 10th-graders. “You are going to get out of it what you put into it,” said Mannasmith, a second-year student on OSU’s Wooster campus.
“Enjoy the season that you’re in,” Abel said. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to figure it all out.”
Envision Your Future was a six-month program tailored for ninth- and 10th-graders to explore their post-secondary paths. The participants were celebrated at the conclusion on March 12 and were presented with certificates of completion and a gift from The Apple Creek Banking Company. The Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce plans to continue the program next school year.
For more information email Landre McCloud at Landre@orrvillechamber.com.