Building Bright Futures: Y.E.S. Program Gains Valuable Insights into Business and Career Paths
April 27, 2023 | John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation News
By John Anderson III
The Owens Corning World Headquarters recently played host to a group of over 30 talented and ambitious high school students from the Young Executive Scholars (Y.E.S.) Program. The visit, which took place on the morning of Wednesday, April 26, was a resounding success.
The Young Executive Scholars Program, which is operated through The University of
Toledo’s John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation, is a collaboration
between the college and the Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB) in Toledo,
OH.
The goal of both the program and the visit to Owens Corning is one in the same: education.
Education is an integral component to personal and professional development.
The Y.E.S. Program was established in 2017 to help cultivate the academic potential of underrepresented students, preparing them for success in higher education.
A fundamental key to a promising business education and long-term career success is allowing students to find their 'right fit.'
And a critical aspect of finding the proper fit is understanding the multitude of career options available to them.
For students, the “right fit” can apply to industry, skills and interests and even work-life balance.
From the outset of the visit, it was clear that Owens Corning was determined to make this a memorable and insightful experience for the Y.E.S. students.
They were welcomed with open arms and given a full tour of the state-of-the-art building, which left them in awe of the company's impressive facilities.
But the tour was just the beginning.
The students were then treated to some very informative career guidance, which also included a mini job fair.
Here, they had the opportunity to engage with representatives from various departments,
including finance, accounting, human resources, supply chain management, sales, marketing
and information systems.
It was a great chance for them to learn about the various aspects of business and how each department coordinates and cooperates to enable the organization to function successfully.
What made the event even more special was the presence of several University of Toledo alumni and current UToledo student interns at Owens Corning.
These current and former Rockets shared their experiences and provided valuable insights into what it's like to work at Owens Corning.
As the visit drew to a close, the students were treated to a delicious catered lunch, which gave them a chance for additional networking with the company's representatives.
These aspiring young professionals also had the chance to apply for the High School Student Summer Internship Program, which will enable them to acquire precious expertise and perspectives into the realm of employment.
By the culmination of the event, the Y.E.S. students left feeling inspired and excited about their future career prospects.
Owens Corning displayed how a company can reach out to the community and make a positive impact on the lives of young people.
This corporate influence on the youth was also displayed in November 2022, when the Young Executive Scholars Program took a similar visit to local accounting firm, Gilmore Jasion Mahler (GJM).
Here, the Y.E.S. students had a chance to learn about the world of accounting and explore various career paths in the field.
The GJM visit included a number of hands-on activities, including an accounting Jeopardy competition and a simulation project.
During the simulation project, each student applied critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills to determine the culprit in a mock fraudulent case.
For three Y.E.S. students, the career impact of this visit was felt immediately, as they later returned to spend a day job shadowing.
And as a result of this day of on-the-job learning, one of these students was offered an internship position for the summer months of 2023.
"By exposing our Young Executive Scholars to a diverse range of industries, business departments and job roles, we empower them with the knowledge and insight needed to make informed decisions about their future educational and career paths,” said Craig Turner, Director of the Young Executive Scholars Program.