By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Taking that next step after graduation can be an intimidating experience for a college student. That’s why Young Harris College is launching Professional Readiness & Experiential Programs.
PREP is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for success after graduation.
“It’s all part of the academic journey for a college student,” said Dr. David Jones, associate vice president for PREP. “Students receive great instruction and develop their skills throughout their time at YHC. We want to provide a framework for students to be confident in articulating that as they move through life.”
PREP, which launches this fall semester at YHC, is based on four anchor points, playing to the mountain environment of the College, Jones said.
- Character and Leadership
- Financial and Professional Planning
- Research and Technology
- Global Awareness and Civic Engagement
“Anchor points are the people, places, and experiences that help guide you, and each anchor point will help prepare students to take that next step, much like an anchor point helps a climber scale a mountain,” Jones said. “You reach an anchor point. You stop and assess where you are, and then you continue to climb.”
Each area goes beyond traditional career services by integrating leadership development, financial literacy, experiential learning, research, and professional preparation into the full college experience.
“This program goes beyond the classroom as we will work with local businesses, like the Paris Business Center in Hiawassee, to find internships or partnerships for our students with local businesses,” Jones said. “One of the key components to success outside of the classroom is confidence. You have the knowledge, now you need the confidence to succeed.”
Jones recently joined YHC, bringing 26 years of experience in higher education working in everything from a community college to a four-year institution, graduate school and a medical school. His focus throughout his career has been on academic and career advising, leadership, and professional development.
“I have always been interested in helping students compete in today’s world, whether it’s the job market or continuing to graduate school,” Jones said. “I love helping them become the candidate a company chooses and giving them the confidence they need to be successful.”
Approaches like PREP are unique in higher education circles, which attracted Jones to YHC.
“This is really an innovative approach to undergraduate education, designed to help students both in the classroom and in the career space,” Jones said. “The goal is to prepare students not only for their first job, but for careers that may not exist yet.”
Students in PREP will receive mentorship and advising throughout their four-year journey at YHC. Everything from resume writing and interviewing skills to budgeting and financial planning or research methods will be readily available.
“In the end, we want them to rock whatever role they get,” Jones said. “We want them to be confident and know they will be OK in the world.”
