HEBRON – On March 30 Hebron Academy led its first ever Career Connection Seminars, an afternoon of networking and discussion opportunities hosted by alumni and parents for Hebron seniors and postgraduates. The day consisted of three hour-long seminars running concurrently each hour, culminating in a lobster dinner and keynote address by notable alumni. Topics ranged from entrepreneurship and self-marketing to internships and identifying career strengths. Students received their own business cards, name tags and personal portfolios.

Spearheaded by a member of Hebron’s Alumni Office, John Slattery ’04, who holds close ties to the school, the program offers value to the academy’s constituents. More importantly, it aims to initiate an ongoing dialogue between Hebron students and alumni that will serve soon-to-be graduates in the broader context of networking and career advancement.

Slattery, a Hebron alumnus and Minot native, discussed the origins behind the CCS. “The idea for the Career Connection Seminars stemmed from my desire for a similar program during my education, which would have proven a major asset to me early in my career. We at Hebron recognize the challenges students will face in today’s world, and by exposing them to different paths to success and encouraging them to leverage relationships through their Hebron network, we are confident they will gain practical tools for their next step in life. We are incredibly grateful to the presenting parents and alumni for making the CCS possible.”

In a statement, the school, committed to equipping its students with life skills that transcend classroom walls, cited the need for practical application in today’s curriculum. “Now more than ever, our graduates will need to be able to navigate the rapidly evolving professional, economic and social climates that lie ahead to become informed and prepared global citizens.” The CCS not only provided a mutually viable learning opportunity for upperclassmen, but it also introduced them to the transition from student to alumnus/alumna.

Senior Eric Beaudette ’12, who was recently accepted to Cornell University’s fiber science and apparel design program, said of the day, “It was a welcome change to our traditional academic schedules, learning a different skillset. This is the type of thing most students don’t get exposed to until they’re much older, and I found it helpful, like learning how to network.”

One presenting alumnus found the program both refreshing and engaging because of its unique opportunity to both interact with and leave an impression on current Hebron students. Auburn native Derek Miller ’04, a broker at Portland-based commercial real estate firm CBRE | The Boulos Company, said, “This provided alums with an alternative way to give back to Hebron and a means of sharing information we all wish we had when we were just starting out. It helped build a genuine sense of community among all parties present at the event by focusing on shared learning.”

In recent years, Hebron Academy has prioritized applied learning in school curriculum, reviving its entrepreneurship program and, this year, instituting a public speaking requirement for upperclassmen called The Last Word. Much like the Career Connection Seminars, these nontraditional offerings help prepare students for life in the professional arena and beyond.