Ohio University Zanesville education students conduct mock interviews with local alumni, administrators

Ohio University Zanesville invited alumni to campus on Monday, Nov. 15, for mock interviews with early and middle childhood education student interns. This highly anticipated event provided opportunities for interns to experience job interviews with area school administrators and speak with alumni who are practicing teachers. 

“The mock interview event provided an opportunity for senior interns in early and middle childhood education to have authentic interview experiences with area school principals,” Teri Peasley, program coordinator and assistant professor of instruction, said. 

The interview sessions gave local school district administrators and principals the opportunity to meet with the graduating seniors and ask questions typically utilized in teaching job recruitment. In addition, principals gave an evaluation of the interns’ interviewing skills with critical feedback for improvement or kudos for skills already mastered. 

“These interviews allowed the interns to receive essential feedback regarding their interview skills in preparation for their upcoming job search,” Peasley said. “Having these kinds of experiences is one of many ways that Ohio University Zanesville supports its students in the transition between graduation and employment.” 

Concurrent alumni sessions with teachers from the region enabled the interns to ask questions about teacher responsibilities, strategies to locate school district openings, and interview successes and failures. The OHIO Zanesville alumni discussion included first-year job experiences, a typical teacher day, humorous and sad moments, challenges and successes, curriculum implementation, and parent-teacher conferences.  

“The mock interviews were great practice and actually gave me more confidence afterwards,” Sophia Blattner, a middle childhood education student, said.

Following the sessions, attendees discussed the current education landscape over a catered dinner. After the meal, the interns engaged in a question-and-answer session with alumni, administrators and principals. These included questions about general interview skills, what to include in a resume or cover letter, how to interact with an interviewer and what principals are looking for in a candidate. 

Area administrators emphasized that their schools are in need of substitute teachers as they continue to feel the effects of the pandemic. They advised the interns to take advantage of opportunities to substitute teach immediately following December’s graduation.

OHIO Zanesville is available to meet with future students and help them move forward in their professional career goals. For more information, contact 740.588.1439 or visit ohio.edu/zanesville.