Rainy River Community College last week hosted what it terms a “motivational week” designed to help spur students into getting involved with campus activities.
Under the leadership of Jessica Bright with Steph Turban, Brad Krasaway, Austin Schaff and Alysa Hackenmuller assisting, activities began Monday with a yellow and black balloon archway and motivational messages in the hallway, a “Let’s Go on a Trip” presentation, career cluster assessment, career and goal setting workshops, and culminating on Thursday in a lunch with career mentors.
The highlight of the week, according to Bright, was the mentor lunch. “We had 21 mentors from around the community from a variety of different professions and over 40 students attend,” she said in a news release. “All of the students connected with a career mentor and many connected with more than one. This event also opened doors to job shadowing and continued relationships beyond the day for future guidance.”
Provost Carol Helland agreed the mentor luncheon was a success.
“When I witnessed the array of young professionals visiting with our students about career options at the mentor luncheon, I knew we had begun an event that would become an integral part of ‘The Rainy Experience,’” she said. “At this gathering, students had the opportunity to envision where their education and training could lead as they plan for their future.”
Seeing students conversing about their future with mentors was rewarding, said Bright. “I could tell that many students felt that they were a part of and supported by the community outside the college, and I really want to thank our mentors for that and the time that they took out of their day to be on our campus.”
One student remarked he appreciated how the mentors not only helped him think about a future career, but connected with him on a student level. “He said the mentors talked to him about the college they attended, how they think they benefited from going there, and their personal obstacles that they navigated around,” said Bright. “He did not feel like he was being recruited for a job; he felt like someone just cared about him being successful in general.”
Bright said other students commented on how their eyes were opened to how many options they have, and that they enjoyed the connection they felt.
