Pass High students visit USM Gulf Park campus
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Leadership recently held its second annual “Experience Business Casually” at the university’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach.
At this event, volunteer business professionals from across the Coast coached student participants on topics such as interviewing strategies; the sixty-second elevator pitch and the art of small talk. Students connected with leaders from the business community and learned valuable tips to get them workforce-ready.
In past years, only USM students were invited to participate in the event, but this year, dual-enrolled (DC) students from Pass Christian High School also attended. DC students take college-level classes through Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College while completing high school, with the goal of earning an associate’s degree within one year of high school graduation. They can then transfer to USM to complete their terminal degree. In addition, Career Technical Program students from Gulfport High School also attended the event.
Students were impressed with the quality of information they received at Experience Business Casually. Michael Pringle, a Business Administration student at USM, noted, “This was really helpful. I learned it’s important to look presentable, know your audience, and talk properly.”
Dr. Heather Annulis, director for the School of Leadership, explains the reasoning behind inviting high school students to USM.
“The dual-enrolled students we invited are the best and brightest of our local high schools,” said Annulis. “They are already on their way to a college degree, and we want to show them that the School of Leadership and the College of Business and Economic Development are here to help them succeed.”
The School of Leadership is housed within the College of Business and Economic Development and operates on the Coastal USM campus in Long Beach, offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. For more information, visit www.usm.edu/leadership.
