More than 40 students enrolled in Career Technology Education classes at Mingus Union High School learned a few tips about entering the job market at the SkillsUSA Fall Leadership Conference on Oct. 24, according to MUHS junior Dakota Jones.

Jones, a student of Brian Turner’s digital media classes, said much of the information about job interviewing, networking and preparing a solid resume was new to him.

“I learned a lot about professionalism skills, especially about presenting yourself online and in a workplace setting that I was not aware of, and we got a chance to practice adult social skills that we sometimes take for granted at the high school level,” Jones said.

Sophomore Jojo McAuley, who also attended from Turner’s class, said some of the information reinforced lessons she had already learned.

“There were workshops on meeting new people and how to properly speak and shake hands,” McCauley said. “We also learned that we are brands, and how we present ourselves in a job interview is as important as the skills we have on our resumes.”

More than 1,500 high school students from around the state gathered to network and attend workshops, Turner said.

“The conference was an all-day event that featured several professional development opportunities and workshops for students,” Turner said. “A keynote speaker stressed the importance of never giving up on what students start to do and the value of lifelong learning.”

SkillsUSA is a career and technical education student organization that stresses preparation for the 21st century workplace, he said.

Students enrolled in MUHS’ digital media classes also recently swept up all the ribbons for video production at both the state and county fairs this year, Turner said.

MUHS students won two honorable mentions and a first-, second- and third-place ribbon at the Yavapai County Fair digital media competition, Turner said.

Even more impressive, at the Arizona State Fair’s first-ever high school video competition, which was open to every high school in state, Turner’s students also won first, second and third prize.

The MUHS contingent also won Best of Show at the state fair for a project that included both digital video and digital photography, Turner said.

“Honestly what I try to do is guide the students in the principles of film production and give them the solid foundation, whether they like it or not. It is this solid foundation they are able to build their ideas on top of,” he said.

For more information about the state fair winning entries, read the Wednesday, Nov. 16, edition of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.