From October 7-12, 2024, National 4-H Week celebrates the theme ‘Beyond Ready,’ emphasizing how 4-H equips youth with essential skills for their future. Kicking off the week, WVU 4-H Extension agents Jodi Smith, Jamie Mullins, and Lisa Ingram hosted an engaging event in Buckhannon, WV, for the Mountaineer Outings for Teen Homeschoolers group, which included teens from Barbour, Lewis, Upshur, and Randolph counties.
The agents led the program “ Seeing Yourself in the Future,” designed to enhance career readiness by helping participants explore their VIPS: values, interests, personality traits, and skills. The day was filled with hands-on activities that encouraged students to envision their futures. They created vision boards reflecting their aspirations, learned about the impact of social media on career paths, and completed a soft skills inventory to identify areas for improvement.
Participants also showcased their creativity by designing interview-ready outfits using recycled materials like paper towels and trash bags, which provided fun, while preparing them for professional settings. Kody Crites., age 14, enthusiastically shared, “Yay! I watched a video about this (Dress for Success)—I get to get dressed up!” This enthusiasm highlights the engaging nature of the activities and the importance of practical skills in preparation for future employment.
Additionally, they built job applications and resumes using templates, practiced handshakes, and crafted personal pitches to enhance their confidence. Bradie James., age 14, said “I enjoyed the job interview scenarios, and I liked the how to dress part. I often worry about how a job interview is going to be and how I will talk to the person interviewing me and this helped.”
A mother of a sixteen-year-old remarked, “They don’t even know what they don’t know—this program shows that what is important.” As the agents noted, “The skills we taught today are essential for successful employment regardless of what occupation or educational path these students select. By learning about these concepts now, the students can and will be better prepared to succeed in life.”
This event exemplifies the core mission of 4-H: to empower young people with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.