“Real face to face experiences with local leaders of industry is as hands-on as it can get.” Mr. John Folger, assistant principal said. Braves in Business has already visited and been visited by members of large employers such as Schaeffler Group, AO Smith, Highland Industries, and First Bank. These visits and meetings focus on ethics, personal finance, chain of command, the value of the dollar, self-respect and appropriate behavior in the workplace. Moreover, the students will be able to participate in mock interviews with HR staff from the employers and school district personnel.
Shakeria Purefoy, a sophomore, recently was able to present to the local Cheravian Club regarding her experiences as a member of Braves in Business. “I am interested in business and look forward to getting to meet and build relationships with the bosses at these businesses”, she said. Purefoy and her fellow Brave in Business members will also gain experiences outside of the workplace such as, a business dinner in Hartsville, a campus tour and Lady Gamecock basketball game at the University of South Carolina and for the final event, the students will enjoy a celebration of their accomplishments at Carowinds.
“The trips are exciting and fun, but feeling special at school among my peers because I am a member of the group is awesome,” Purefoy said.
She went on to discuss the expectations of the group and explained what it took to be a member of the program. “We have to dress up, the boys have to wear ties, and the girls must dress in business attire,” she explained.
The dress is just one of the main objectives of the group. Principal, Dr. Jason Bryant explains: “While attending the High Schools That Work Conference, we learned that employers are looking for young people that are punctual, collaborative, polite and willing to learn. We hope to instill these values into our Brave in Business members and look forward to expanding the program each year.”