If one of the hardest parts about getting a new job is the interview, Stevenson Manufacturing, Automation and Design Engineering students can already check that one off the list.

Stevenson MADE hosted its second “Professionalism Workshop," where business partners conducted mock interviews and offered resume advice for 60 current MADE juniors.

“They have been giving us strong resumes and seem very interested in making themselves better,” said Ali Fitzpatrick, of General Motors. “I hope they take away how they can improve themselves going into interviewing for internships or applying for colleges.”

MADE Academy Coach Mark LaCombe said students prepared for the workshop by writing resumes in their English classes and working in teams to practice their interview skills.

“Companies were pleasantly surprised with how professional our students were and how well they communicated and answered questions,” LaCombe said. “Those involved last year commented that our students this year were better prepared, and resumes were improved.”

Companies participating included four of the specialty program’s business partners: Chardam Gear, Elite Mold and Engineering, Futuramic, and General Motors.

It was General Motors that was a target for junior Ruben Azcarraga.

“I learned a lot about General Motors,” he said. “It’s a great company and I’d love to work for them."

MADE is a four-year program in which students choose a major and a minor in one of the career pathways: Automation, Fabrication (welding and CNC machining), or Design Engineering. Course work connects the core subjects—math, science, social studies, and English—to the field of Advanced Manufacturing.

Students make real-world connections and participate in project-based learning that focuses on problem-solving and design thinking.