Preparing the Next Generation for Success

Ascend is invited by schools, educational institutions, corporations, community organizations, and other partner organizations to facilitate the Strictly Business Seminar Series for participants ranging from junior high school through college and adulthood.

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The Strictly Business Seminar Series equips students and adults with the essential professional and workplace skills needed to confidently navigate today’s workforce.

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Through interactive workshops and hands-on learning experiences, participants develop practical skills in professional communication, business etiquette, resume development, standard and behavioral interview techniques, professional attire, workplace behavior, networking, and career readiness.

The goal is simple: prepare individuals to show up with confidence, professionalism, and the skills necessary to pursue employment, internships, and future career opportunities.

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Building Skills. Building Confidence. Building Careers.

The Strictly Business Seminar Series can be customized to meet the needs of junior high schools, high schools, colleges, corporations, community organizations, and other institutions. Ascend works with each organization to identify its audience and career-readiness goals, then delivers programming tailored to those needs.

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Prior to launching a seminar series, Ascend can provide an orientation and facilitator preparation process designed to introduce participating educators, staff, or organizational representatives to the program’s curriculum, modules, and implementation expectations.

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Topics may include:

• Resume development and professional branding

• Standard interview techniques and processes

• Behavioral interviewing techniques and the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, and Result

• Interview preparation, practice, and follow-up

• Common interview questions and effective responses

• Business and workplace etiquette

• Professional communication

• Appropriate workplace attire and presentation

• Networking and relationship building

• Workplace expectations and professionalism

• Career exploration

• Internship and employment preparation

• Confidence, accountability, and leadership

 

Participants learn the difference between standard interviews, which typically focus on qualifications, experience, education, and job-related skills, and behavioral interviews, which ask candidates to describe how they handled specific situations in the past. Through guided practice, participants learn how to organize clear, relevant responses using the STAR method and how to communicate their strengths with confidence and professionalism.

Whether preparing a junior high or high school student for future workforce opportunities, supporting a college student pursuing an internship or first job, or helping an adult strengthen their professional skills, Strictly Business provides participants with practical tools they can immediately apply.

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Because getting the opportunity is only the beginning. Knowing how to present yourself, communicate effectively, respond to interview questions, and navigate the workplace can make all the difference.