Penn State Mont Alto students 'Rock the Mock' and gain interview confidence

MONT ALTO, Pa. - Students at Penn State Mont Alto are now better prepared for internship and post-grad job interviews, thanks to the "Rock the Mock" career preparation event held on Feb. 5.

More than a dozen representatives from local employers met with students at the Allied Health Building on the Mont Alto campus. The employers engaged students in mock interviews, asking questions as they would during an actual job interview. In addition to the skills students learned, both students and employers made valuable professional connections.

"Some of the employers walked away stating 'I think I got a solid internship contact' and 'this student will get an interview offer to be considered for a full time job,'" said Patty Gochenauer, senior manager for student life and career services at Penn State Mont Alto.

Acing the interview

The lessons students learned will go far beyond the event; the mock interviews helped participants gain confidence in acing a job interview with any company.

"I learned the importance of knowing not just you and your strengths, but researching and knowing the company to show that you're putting in the effort and would like that job. Things like that can really elevate you as a candidate," Miana Kaufman, a second-year student studying occupational therapy, reflected after going through multiple mock interviews.

Preparing for a job search

In addition to interview preparation, students learned how to set up and use a LinkedIn account, with a student photographer at the event to take a professional headshot that participants can use as a profile picture on the networking website.

Students also had the chance to perfect their elevator pitch, learning how to confidently and succinctly summarize their job experience and career goals.

"It's daunting to walk up to a perfect stranger, stick out your hand, and proceed to have a conversation about yourself. No one is organically comfortable doing that. The only way to prepare yourself for the awkward, but very necessary job interview, is to practice. And 'Rock the Mock' gives students that opportunity in a safe environment," Liz Denlea, program coordinator for the Information Technology program at Penn State Mont Alto and one of the main drivers behind "Rock the Mock," said.