Mock interviews connect YSU students with local high schoolers

Students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University are helping local high school students build confidence and career readiness through hands-on mock interview experiences.

Student officers from the Society for Human Resource Management chapter at WCBA recently partnered with Crestview High School to conduct mock interviews for 40 students enrolled in a personal finance and career exploration course. Each high school student participated in a 10-minute interview session with a YSU student, receiving individualized feedback and a formal evaluation of their performance.

Christina O’Connell, executive director of the Center for Career Management at WCBA, attended the event alongside student volunteers, further supporting the college’s commitment to career readiness and employer-aligned learning experiences.

The initiative provided Crestview students with real-world interview practice while allowing WCBA students to apply their human resource management skills in a professional setting.

“This was an opportunity my students will reap the benefits of for years to come,” said Donna Burnell, a Crestview High School instructor. “The real-world practice is exactly what I am looking to give them. In many cases, hearing feedback from professionals outside the classroom reinforces the importance of these skills in a way that resonates differently.”

In addition to verbal feedback, YSU students provided written evaluations to help participants strengthen their communication, professionalism and interview techniques. The collaboration reflects WCBA’s continued commitment to experiential learning and community engagement, connecting college students with opportunities to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation.

Due to the success of the event, additional partnerships are already underway, with a similar mock interview program planned at another local school next month.