This week, I attended the long-awaited ISM business symposium. I was initially a bit nervous, given that speaking isn’t my strong suit. Still, I knew the symposium presented an opportunity to enhance my communication and networking skills, and I’m glad to say that it did!
The day started with a gathering in the Panther Creek High School’s cafeteria at 8 p.m. We then spent the first hour practicing our networking skills, and during this time, I met many seasoned professionals. Some of their stories were incredibly touching and inspiring. It was a reminder that success in life doesn’t come without hardships.
After this fruitful networking session, I had my first interview. I think I did pretty well, but I could’ve done better with a firmer handshake and by being more professional. I tried to work on those in my second interview. This time, though my handshake was a little too firm, I carried myself professionally, and the interviewer applauded me on how many experiences I had. She gave me some useful pointers on my resume and was so supportive of my endeavors. I'm glad I had the opportunity to practice in mock interviews before engaging with actual professionals because it provided me with so many communication skills and tips.
The symposium also featured several lectures and question sessions where I learned a lot about how to succeed in job hunting, networking, and researching. I also met students from other high schools, where I learned about the various fields they are studying and their ambitions in life. It is inspiring to think about how, ten years from now, we will all be on such different paths in life, accomplishing so many different things.
Overall, the business symposium helped me immensely with my communication skills and allowed me to connect with so many wonderful and inspiring individuals. The symposium was truly a life-changing experience, and I’m looking forward to other such experiences the ISM program will offer.
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