More than 500 juniors and seniors from across the state poured onto the Thomas College campus in Waterville on Tuesday, March 29, for Jobs for Maine’s Graduates’ annual Career Development Conference. Students spent the day battling it out in a variety of college and career skills competitions, proving they are ready for life after graduation, according to a news release from JMG.

“I thought it was great. It gives us a chance to show all of the skills we’ve been learning in class and through community service learning, like leadership and critical thinking skills. It’s what the whole school year has been building up to,” said Casiana Collette, a Mt. Blue High School senior, according to the release.”

Students from Farmington's Mt. Blue High School attended JMG's annual Career Development Conference March 29 at Thomas College in Waterville. Front, from left, are t, Kayla Kenney, Haley Caswell, Casiana Collette, Jenna Gilmore, Kasadie Barker, Brianna Jackson, Lauren Littlefield and Shania Wilbur. Back from left, are Sarah Pooler, Brandon Durrell, Willian Gunter, Justin Scott, Kayla Chapman, Chelse Macomber, Colton Chandler, MacKenzie Harris and Brittany Chapman. Contributed photo

Cony High School students from Augusta attended JMG's annual Career Development Conference March 29 at Thomas College in Waterville. Front, from left, are Mackenzie Esancy, Kyle Stevens and Devin Bachelder. Back, from left, are Connor Osborne, James Hunt, Jason Hamm, Nick Sidelinger, Elizabeth Lucas and Caitlin Davis. Osborne and Lucas each received scholarships during the conference. Contributed photo

The conference offered new opportunities for students to explore the college experience. They were sent across campus on a scavenger hunt based on skills needed to succeed in college.; they submitted college applications; and, did their best to impress the Thomas Admissions’ staff in mock interviews.

Sherrye Haney, JMG’s regional Manager said in the release, “High school students who are familiar with college, and see it as worthwhile and valuable, are more likely to go to college and persist to graduation. Hosting CDC on a college campus is part of a larger JMG effort to raise aspirations and help these students prepare for life after high school.”

Students also squared off in public-speaking competitions; showed off their STEM skills by building mobile mini-robots; and, had a chance to network with employers and college reps at the event’s Career Expo. More than 100 people, including business executives, community leaders, and Thomas College staff volunteered to facilitate workshops and judge competitions.

“We are very excited to be a part of this big day for JMG and to have so many high school students attend this event on our campus. Thomas College was the first college in the United States to have a JMG specialist on campus, and we are the first to now have two specialists. JMG is a great service to our high school students and our students at Thomas and we are happy to be partnered with them,” said Thomas College President Laurie Lachance, according to the release. “

Thomas is one of seven colleges in Maine with a JMG Specialist working to connect high school students to college, and to improve retention on campus. Several JMG seniors are now a little closer to being able to afford college after being awarded scholarships today. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Procter & Gamble awarded a total of four scholarships. Two Cony High School students were among the recipients; Elizabeth Lucas and Connor Osborne.

Elizabeth Lucas said, “I’m pretty wowed. I was shaking with excitement when I picked up the scholarship award. In the application, I wrote about how important JMG has been in my life and I’m so happy this has happened. The whole experience here at Thomas today has been amazing. Just being here on this beautiful campus makes me want to head home, pack my bags and start college right now,” according to the release.

JMG is a statewide, private nonprofit working with students who face barriers to education. JMG provides 5,500 students a year with the skills and experience they will need to succeed in high school, post- secondary education, and careers. JMG graduates become engaging members of their communities, productive adults in the workforce, and contributors to Maine’s economy.

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