LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Nearly 50 students who are part of a finance academy program at Southern High School got a brief taste of their futures on Wednesday.
The program, which is part of a larger National Academy Foundation, gives students a firsthand look at how interviews for a job or college are handled.
Freshmen and sophomores sat and listened while juniors and seniors were interviewed by local business representatives.
The idea is to get Southern High School students ready for college and careers.
Junior Aaron Murphy has a specific set of goals, and thanks to his teachers, he’s learned the skills to tackle them.
“I want to get into UofL for finance and stuff,” Murphy said. “Knowing those interview skills, it’ll help make you better so you can sell yourself to the company.”
For Murphy, finance and the love of money came young.
“(I) always got money for good grades, always saved it, never liked spending it, loved saving it,” he said.
The academy of finance is offering students like Murphy a chance to prepare for the future.
“Just like any career or technical education, two of the components are that you have advisory boards, active advisory boards, and work-based learning opportunities,” said Tim Laha, of the National Academy Foundation.
With wages increasing for high school and college graduates, Southern understands how important the program is for students.
“Not every student will go to college, so if we can get them in a career pathway and get some experience, especially in an internship that they can build on through their years after high school,” said Laha.
It’s a message echoed by the student body.
“Take it seriously, don’t just blow it off because it’s another thing to do, take it seriously because it will help you,” Murphy said.
This year was the first year for juniors to take part in the interviewing process.
Administrators want to continue the program and possibly expand it for other purposes.