2026 Career Interview Day

FORGE Your Path Career Interview Day

A real-world interview experience designed to prepare students for what comes next.

What Is Career Interview Day?

FORGE Your Path Career Interview Day gives high school CTC students the opportunity to practice professional interview skills, receive meaningful feedback, and build confidence in a supportive, hands-on environment. This event is designed to feel authentic—while still being a learning experience that helps students grow.

Why Career Interview Day Matters

Career Interview Day helps students:

• Build confidence and communication skills
• Practice professional behavior in a real-world setting
• Receive feedback they can apply to future interviews
• Better understand career expectations and opportunities

This experience bridges the gap between the classroom and the workforce—helping students feel more prepared for what comes next.

Join us in making this event a success!

Event Details

📅 Date

Thursday, February 19, 2026

📍 Location

EMCC Communiversity
Columbus, Mississippi

⏰ Time

7:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Who Will Attend

• Approximately 500 Year 2 and Year 3 Career & Technical Center (CTC) students (10th–12th grade)

• Local industry professionals serving as interviewers

• Career Coaches and volunteers supporting students throughout the day

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For Students: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Career Interview Day is designed to feel like a real job interview — but in a supportive, low-pressure setting.

Students will:

• Participate in a one-on-one mock interview with a local professional
• Practice answering common interview questions
• Receive constructive feedback to help improve interview skills
• Be supported by Career Coaches throughout the day
• Gain confidence and a better understanding of professional expectations

There are no right or wrong answers—this experience is all about learning, practicing, and preparing for your future.

👔 What to Wear

Dress as you would for a real job interview.

• Clean, neat, professional or business-casual attire
• Avoid ripped jeans, shorts, flip-flops, hats, or graphic T-shirts

When in doubt, dress up rather than down.

📄 What to Bring

• Five (5) printed copies of your resume
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Resume paper will be provided to schools in advance to support this requirement.

😌 How to Calm Your Nerves

Feeling nervous is normal!

• Take a few deep breaths before your interview
• Remember: this is practice, not a test
• Interviewers and Career Coaches are there to support you

Student Workshop

All About You! Interview P.R.E.P.

As part of their final preparation before mock interviews, students will participate in a dynamic, high-impact workshop designed to sharpen their interview skills and build confidence.

Led by Ebony Bracey, CEO of The Professional Maven, this session serves as the final “tune-up” before students step into their mock interviews with industry professionals.

During the All About You! Interview P.R.E.P. workshop, students will:

• Review best practices for successful interviewing
• Walk through the interview process from start to finish
• Learn how to avoid common interview mistakes
• Receive practical reminders that reinforce the skills they’ve been building

This workshop is a critical final step—giving students the opportunity to polish their approach, strengthen their communication, and walk into their interviews feeling prepared, confident, and ready to succeed.

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For Parents & Guardians: How to Support Your Student

Career Interview Day provides students with a realistic interview experience while offering guidance and encouragement.

You can help by:

• Assisting with professional attire
• Making sure your student brings five printed resumes
• Encouraging confidence and reminding them this is a learning experience

Interviewers, Career Coaches, and volunteers are there to ensure students feel supported throughout the day.

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Interview Day Resource Hub (Downloads)

To support preparation for Career Interview Day, downloadable resources are available for educators, students, and parents. These materials are designed to help students feel confident, prepared, and supported leading up to the event.

We encourage educators to review and share these resources with students and families as appropriate.

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Get Involved

Career Interview Day relies on community support. There are several ways to participate:

For Interviewers

Are you a professional looking to inspire the next generation? We’re seeking interviewers with expertise across a variety of fields to help prepare students for their futures. As an interviewer, you’ll engage directly with students, providing constructive feedback to help them grow, gain confidence, and refine their skills. This is a meaningful way to share your expertise while supporting our mission to build a brighter future. Interviewers will receive a prepared interview guide, including suggested questions and scoring rubrics.

We’re looking for professionals with expertise in fields such as:

• Agriculture
• Automotive Services
• Business, Marketing, Finance
• Carpentry
• Collision Repair
• Construction
• Cosmetology
• Culinary
• Early Childhood Education
• Educator/Teacher Preparation
• Electrical
• Engineering & Robotics
• Forestry
• Digital Media & Graphic Design
• Health Science, Nursing, Sports Medicine, Medical Technology
• Horticulture
• Industrial Maintenance
• Law & Public Safety
• Marketing
• Medical
• Unmanned Aviation
• Welding
• Work-Based Learning

Your participation can make a lasting impact by empowering students to succeed in their career journeys.

For Volunteers

Support the event by assisting with logistics, welcoming participants, or guiding students through the process. No specific expertise is required—just a passion for helping students succeed! Whether you’re greeting attendees, assisting with check-ins, escorting students to their interviews, collecting scoring rubrics, or offering encouragement, your contribution will play a vital role in making the day a success.

For Career Coaches

As a Career Coach, your support will be invaluable in guiding students through this transformative experience. Your role may include assisting with logistics, welcoming participants, escorting students to their interviews, collecting scoring rubrics, or providing encouragement. No specific expertise beyond your passion for student success is required. Your dedication will play a vital role in ensuring the day runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impact on every student.