Each year, the Gateway Academy in Hopkinsville plays host to the “Adulting 101: Skills That Pay The Bills” series — in what proves to be an important calendar of classes assisting graduates-to-be through the transition of what can sometimes be the hard road after high school.
This time around, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club — through a District 6710 grant award — will be providing both a financial and physical lift to the super slate of skills, which could change a student’s outlook and path into adulthood.
During last week’s Rotary meeting, Christian County Public School’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Coordinator Kelly Gates broke down the six sessions coming between December 1 and April 27 of next year — in what she called a “family-like” and “intimate” atmosphere between students and professionals.
Beginning December 1, resources will focus on money and credit management, general budgeting, the pitfalls of credit, and all while answering a critical question: “Can you really live on $15 an hour?”
On December 8, a two-part session will discuss how the law changes once someone turns 18 years old, how to behave when police pull over your vehicle, how to stay safe on community college and university campuses, how social media can make or break job opportunities and how clean internet profiles are important when entering the workforce.
Gates noted Christian County Sheriff Tyler DeArmond and Hopkinsville Police Department Captain Adam Smith will be on hand to answer questions, while talking about their own careers.
On January 12, Gates said the focus will be on filing simple tax returns and the dangers of tax loans — in what will hopefully be some effective cost-cutting measures for young adults.
February 9 will consist of a two-hour session centered around automobile safety — including the changing of tires, jumping dead batteries and developing automotive preparedness kits in case of being stranded or in a serious accident.
The afternoon of March 9 will be a class on professionalism, which will include an interview skit, job interview do’s-and-don’ts, a lesson on tying ties, and general discussion surrounding the dress code needed when applying for jobs.
Gates noted this is where the grant will do the most work, as interview-appropriate clothing is purchased and donated to students in need.
On April 27, it’ll be all-hands-on-deck for the Hopkinsville Rotary, as an interview panel will be comprised of several different job sectors — with professionals rolling through a career forum to talk about the education, experience and interests necessary to succeed in specific jobs.
Each class will go from 3:45-to-5:45 in the afternoon at the Gateway Academy, and Gates noted 20 students will attend every session, while another 20 or so will flex between sessions of their interest.
