Southern High School's iGEN Academy hosted a dynamic Round Robin event on November 19, 2024, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore diverse career paths and gain valuable insights from community partners. The two-hour event, coordinated by Financial Services teachers Jessica Rose and Emily Newton along with Saundra Gibson of the AofL Alliance, brought together a diverse group of professionals to share their experiences with sophomore, junior, and senior students.

Event Highlights

The Round Robin format allowed students to rotate between different business partners, engaging in meaningful discussions about career interests, personal journeys, and essential life skills. This interactive approach not only broadened students' understanding of various professions but also helped them develop crucial soft skills.

Mrs. Newton emphasized the event's significance: "This event not only gives students a chance to learn about possible careers, but they also get their feet wet talking to someone higher than them. They develop these important soft skills."

“Seeing younger panelists in the event helped me to realize how serious life is about to be. I’m close to making these big career decisions.”

— Armond Jackson, iGEN Academy Senior

Distinguished Participants

The event featured an impressive lineup of professionals from various industries:

Ebony Porter – Chick-Fil-A
Cory Shepherd – Good Vibes Garage
Mike Shepherd - Good Vibes Garage
Sara Carpenter – Schuler Bauer
David Conner - Schuler Bauer
Rene Newsome – Teeple Snyder Newsome Wealth Management
Cecil Comstock – JCPS
Bri Coomer – Class Act Financial Credit Union
Germaine Randolph – Class Act Financial Credit Union
Fatima Avila – Class Act Financial Credit Union
Charles Wilkerson – Yum
John Shaw-Woo – Noir Black Chamber of Commerce

Student Perspectives

Lindsey Garcia, a senior in the Financial Services pathway, shared her experience. "I've learned how money works," Lindsey remarked, highlighting the practical skills she's gained in the iGEN Academy. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants and an aspiring oral maxillofacial surgeon, Lindsey appreciated how the event helped her envision her future and understand the sacrifices required to achieve her goals.

Lindsey also noted the relevance of her high school experiences to real-world scenarios: "Mr. Wilkerson is successful, but he did a lot to get to where he's at." She drew parallels between her marketing experience as yearbook editor and the insights gained from industry professionals.

Armond Jackson, another senior in the Financial Services pathway, shared his insights. "Money is important, so I wanted to learn how to manage it," Armond explained. As an aspiring athletic trainer planning to attend NKU, he found the event eye-opening. "Seeing younger panelists in the event helped me to realize how serious life is about to be. I'm close to making these big career decisions."

Armond particularly enjoyed conversations with various panelists, gaining valuable advice and a deeper understanding of different professions. He praised the iGEN Academy for teaching "the fundamentals of finance" and preparing students for the workforce.

Impact and Future Outlook

This second annual Round Robin event at Southern High School demonstrates the school's commitment to preparing students for their future careers. By bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications, the iGEN Academy continues to equip students with essential skills and knowledge for success in the financial services sector and beyond.

As both Lindsey and Armond attested, the event not only provided valuable career insights but also reinforced the importance of the skills they've developed throughout their high school journey. With such innovative programs in place, Southern High School is setting a strong foundation for its students' future success in an ever-evolving job market.