Students at Riverside High School in Painesville Township are getting ready for the real world.
Area professionals spoke to the economics, marketing and accounting classes about potential career options on March 19 and 20.
Unlike an average career day where students only learn about careers, the two-day speaking series taught them several lifelong lessons.
Riverside College and Career Readiness Coordinator Keith Manos, who organized the event, said it was designed to examine careers in business, learn about necessary career skills and focus on the concepts learned in class.
The speakers were recruited through the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Riverside Business Advisory Committee.
The panel included entrepreneurs, insurance specialists, financial advisers and banking professionals.
While many of the students did not aspire to enter the insurance industry, they learned a lot from Bradford Boergert, owner of Boergert Wright Insurance in Painesville and independent insurance agent.
All of the students who had cars were all ears when Boergert explained how to file an automobile claim and what happens if the insurance company cancels the customer.
“It is usually expensive to get another plan and many companies do not want to take the risk,” he said while stressing the importance of making good decisions.
Edward Jones Financial Adviser Stacey Smaretsky’s objective was not to convince students to go into finance. Instead, she strived to improve their financial literacy.
She encouraged them to start saving their money early.
“When you get a full-time job, start putting your money away,” Smaretsky said. “If you can get in the habit of not spending your money because it’s burning your pockets, you will be able to save. There is always going to be something you want, but think about where you want to go and what you want to do in the future. Pay yourself first.”
She also reviewed various investment options, including mutual funds, bonds, stocks, 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts.
When Brian Gidley, who is an entrepreneur, asked the students who wanted to be in sales, only a few hands raised.
“You are all going to be in sales,” said Gidley, president of LBL Branding, Marketing and Printing in Painesville, Shetler Office Solutions in Middlefield and Chardon and Gidley Properties LLC. “You are going to be selling yourself for the rest of your life, especially in interviews.”
Gidley said everyone needs a plan, a solid foundation and to learn from failures.
In order to be successful in business, he said you need to be a problem-solver, have a drive to succeed and be willing to make sacrifices in both money and time.
“The speakers have been very engaging and enthusiastic,” Manos said. “We are very grateful that they volunteered their time. This is what an ideal partnership between schools and businesses looks like.”
He hopes to offer this program next year.
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